The Future of Cell Phones
Gone are those days where cell phones were used only for voice communication. It is an all-in-one device now, which plays a significant role in wireless communication.
Suganya Sukumar
The future of cell phones is unpredictable as we all have seen its growth in the past few years. During the twentieth century, automobiles and the television created a revolution in the world. Now, the 21st century is dominated by gadgets that help us communicate, which is prominently cell phone technology. The advancements in cellular technology is rapid and is growing exponentially. It was estimated that there are 4.6 mobile phone subscribers around the world, and the number is expected to grow.
Cell phone and its Futuristic Uses
Mobile Phone as a Credit Card?
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is a very fast growing technology, which uses radio waves to transmit information from a device or a tag. One of the important applications of RFID is near-field communication (NFC) which allows money transactions, and information exchange between devices which have NFC chips embedded in them. A smart phone could be used as a credit card and an ID card, if it has the NFC radio frequency chip, enabled with NFC standards.
4G Mobile Technology
4G (fourth generation) technology is an initiative that aims to move beyond the limitations and problems in the present 3G technology. Some of the enhancement features projected in 4G technology are:
- Higher data rate
- Broader bandwidth
- Smoother and quicker handoff
- Seamless service
- High quality voice communication
- high-definition video
Mobile Commerce
Mobile phones enabled with Internet services are used by business analysts for mobile commerce. Mobile commerce is defined as "Mobile commerce is any transaction, involving the transfer of ownership or rights to use goods and services, which is initiated and/or completed by using mobile access to computer-mediated networks with the help of an electronic device." Business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-customer (B2C) are the two important applications of mobile commerce. Mobile commerce technology started to grow rapidly from the year 2000 onwards. Some of the mobile commerce services are mobile banking, mobile marketing and advertising, mobile brokerage, auctions, etc.
Enhanced Authentication
Nowadays, stealing cell phones is a very lucrative business for thieves and culprits roaming in society. It is necessary to protect our devices from them. Voice recognition and fingerprint recognitions are reliable methods that provide security to our device, as it cannot be duplicated. In this technique, the device can be made accessible only after it detects the identity of its owner. The other biometric traits that are usable in phones are retinal scan, iris recognition, palm recognition, ear canal recognition, signature, hand geometry and chemical traits such as an odor and face thermograph.
Stunning Cell Phone Models
Apart from new technology, we can also expect amazing-looking cell phone models. There is no restriction to one's imagination. Likewise, the design are reaching heights of imagination. In the future, phones will have unexpected designs that will truly be attractive. Global players like Nokia, Samsung, Motorola, and Apple are competing hard to bring out unimaginable models to conquer the market. It is also said that "Nokia collaborated with Industrial Design students from Central Saint Martin's College of Art and Design", to come up with intelligent and attractive designs for their handsets. Cell phones that can predict weather conditions and reflect it on its display have been designed. Whippy and flexible models are being designed to give exquisite looks and comfort. Also, plastic handsets are being replaced with eco-friendly (biodegradable) handsets.
Can Sound Waves Charge Cell Phones?
We all know that the electrical energy that is stored in a battery is what fuels our phones. There is a new form of technology in which sound waves are converted into electrical energy which can charge our cell phones. This technology was experimented using zinc oxide which was placed between two electrodes. When sound waves hit the zinc oxide strands, it compresses first and then releases electrical energy. This electrical energy is stored and used in cell phones. The device can even pick up our voice signals or sound waves from our music players and get charged by itself. Though expected results were not attained, the technology is developing by altering the materials used.
Open Mobile Internet Technology
The concept of Open Mobile Internet (OMI) system, is to replace the existing closed network by a Fixed-Internet. Some of the open mobile initiatives are:
- Programmable Open Mobile Internet 2020 is a project which is funded by the National Science Foundation. The objective of the project is to produce an open alternative ubiquitous function of mobile phones in computing and the communication field.
- The Open Mobile Terminal Platform is supported by many mobile companies like Vodafone, Ericsson, Nokia, Hutchison 3G and Orange.
- LiMo Foundation creates an operating system for the phones, which is independent of the hardware being used.
- The Open Handset Alliance Group developed Android with 3D technology.
Though there are arguments asserting that cell phones are dangerous, it is still overlooked. The future technology is still evolving and scientists, engineers, and governments are envisioning the impact of phones on an individual's daily life. With the emergence of nanotechnology in the recent years, the technology is being combined with it to make voice communication, the display, and data exchange, perform better.
Nowadays, the battery life of mobile phones is a big concern. Engineers and scientists are working on lithium-ion technology and finding ways to improve the battery life of cell phones. The future of mobile phones is vast and it is impossible to visualize a boundary in the technology.
