The Evolution of Smartphones
The Evolution of Smartphones
While a cell phone was once considered a luxury item that only a select few possessed, smartphones have become an indispensable part of the majority of people's daily lives. Smartphones have significantly improved communication and connectivity, providing us with interactive means of entertainment and information. As these devices continue to evolve with new technology, it's inspiring to see how, over the last three decades, mobile phones with limited capabilities have evolved into smartphones with limitless potential. Consider the history of smartphones and their potential future.
From Mobile Phones to Smartphones
Which mobile phone model do you recall using as a child? Whether a Nokia or a Motorola, many people regard these devices as distinct from the smartphones we know and love today. Unsurprisingly, many believe that Apple invented the smartphone with the introduction of the iPhone in 2007. Indeed, BellSouth Cellular and IBM developed "the phone of the future" fifteen years ago with the goal of combining the conveniences of a telephone, fax machine, computer, and personal digital assistant in the palm of the user's hand.
IBM developed the first smartphone prototype in 1992. Known as the Simon Personal Communicator, its release marks the true beginning of smartphones. In 1994, IBM released the Simon Personal Communicator to the general public, revolutionizing how users interacted with mobile phones. Combining the features of a cellular phone and a personal digital assistant, the original smartphone — a term coined shortly after the Simon Personal Communicator was introduced in 1995 — was surprisingly similar to the smartphones we use today.
Its monochrome LCD touchscreen was far ahead of its time and included a stylus for precise control. Though it was significantly larger than many of the smaller iPhones and Androids available today, the Simon Personal Communicator was only 8′′ x 2.5′′ x 1.5′′ in size and weighed about a pound. Along with the touchscreen, this device included an address book, calculator, calendar, mail, notepad, and to-do list. You could even integrate the device with third-party applications.
With additional features such as predictive text and the ability to send and receive everything from emails to faxes, the first touchscreen phone was introduced at a time when other types of mobile phones were being developed. Although the first instance of mobile phone use dates all the way back to 1973, the first portable phone did not become widely available until the following decade. Motorola released the Motorola DynaTAC 8000x in 1989, which was followed by the Motorola International 3200 in 1992.
The Nokia 9000 Communicator, similar to IBM's Simon Personal Communicator, was released in 1996 and was considered advanced for its time. This was one of the first internet-enabled phones to hit the market, adding web browsing capabilities to their other business functions. Following closely behind was Ericsson's GS88 a year later, which is officially referred to as the first "smartphone." Similarly, BlackBerry's 850 was dubbed the first wireless handheld computer when it debuted in 1999.
Throughout the 1990s, mobile phones underwent dramatic changes. Text messaging, email, and a variety of other applications have become indispensable tools for both business professionals and average consumers. One of the early issues with mobile and smartphone technology was the limited internet access and high fees associated with mobile phone use. According to experts, the Vodafone Prepaid Pay As You Go contracts introduced in the mid-1990s enabled more users to afford these devices. Since these no-contract phone plans launched ten years ago, household ownership of mobile phones has increased by 65 percent.
As the 2000s progressed, mobile phone technology continued to evolve. The Nokia 3310's durability, the QWERTY keyboard on the T-Mobile Sidekick, the Motorola Razr's slim profile, and the BlackBerry Pearl's trackball navigation were all impressive features that contributed to these devices' popularity. Although the smartphone was technically invented in the 1990s, its meteoric rise in popular and consumer culture occurred well after the millennium.
BlackBerry was a significant name in early 2000s mobile phone and smartphone technology. In 1999, they launched their first device capable of email and web browsing. By 2004, their devices had evolved to include multi-color displays and full web browsing capabilities. BlackBerry became a market leader in smartphones as new models were introduced, in part by tailoring their technology and applications to business professionals. Unfortunately, BlackBerry's fortunes began to deteriorate shortly after the launch of one of Apple's most revolutionary products — the iPhone.
When Steve Jobs unveiled the first iPhone in early 2007, he described it as "five years ahead of any other mobile phone." This was a significant departure from the way users were accustomed to using their mobile phones. The traditional QWERTY keyboard was omitted to make way for a full touchscreen interface with multi-touch capability. The iPhone possessed all of the features of competing devices, such as BlackBerry models, but its exceptional Apple OS X operating system also enabled users to stream movies, listen to music, and store photos.
In 2007, the original iPhone was available in 4GB and 8GB capacities. By 2008, a first-generation iPhone with 16GB was available, and the iPhone 3G was available within six months of its release. Apple has released either a new version of an existing iPhone or a next-generation iPhone at least once a year since 2007. Apple's advancements over the last decade have not been isolated — the launch of the first iPhone defined the future of smartphones for years to come.
The Evolution of Smartphones from the Late 2000s to Today
While mobile phones introduced some exciting new features, smartphones quickly took over. The iPhone revolutionized not just the mobile phone industry; it revolutionized the world. Once upon a time, simple pixelated games were considered remarkable. Now, smartphones are capable of delivering multi-user gaming experiences that incorporate augmented reality interaction. This is just one example of how smartphone development has reshaped expectations and established a standard for which features are included as standard on all devices.
The iPhone generated a lot of excitement upon its release, and with reason. By the end of 2007, however, Google had entered the smartphone market with the release of Android, a free mobile operating system. This was implemented to enable handsets to take full advantage of the internet. Android, a direct competitor to Apple's IOS operating system, enabled Apple's competitors to incorporate a dynamic operating system into their smartphones.
Android's first phone was released in 2008. The G1 had limited touchscreen functionality, but by February 2010, Android phones had fully functional touchscreens — to the point where Apple sued HTC and threatened Google executives with lawsuits for allegedly copying Apple products. Samsung, Motorola, Windows, and a number of other companies have all entered the fray over the years. While some, such as Samsung, have remained successful to this day, others, such as BlackBerry, have been unable to sustain success long enough to compete with the likes of Apple or Android.
The evolution of the smartphone can be boiled down to a few key features. With larger memory systems and the addition of cloud-based storage, these devices are capable of storing unimaginable amounts of data. Smartphone hardware and operating system advancements have resulted in increased processing power and speed, which is ideal for downloading and uploading various media. Battery life has also improved significantly, with some devices remaining charged for days at a time. Additionally, the improved camera capabilities and the ability to run multiple apps concurrently are notable improvements over previous models.
Several other critical design elements have also defined what distinguishes a smartphone from a standard mobile phone. The touchscreen has supplanted both the QWERTY keyboard and trackball. Although each phone's physical dimensions vary, manufacturers strive to make the display as large and functional as possible. Naturally, these design elements and features will evolve year after year. With an eye toward the future, it's clear that smartphone design, capabilities, and contexts will continue to evolve and transform the user experience.
2019 and Beyond
As of this writing, well-known brands dominate lists of the year's best smartphones. Apple's iPhone XR and iPhone XS are an expected inclusion, especially given their reputation as one of the best iPhone values in years. Samsung's flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S10 and S10E, continue to evolve, while the Google Pixel 3 continues to gain popularity. Additionally, the OnePlus 7 Pro, Motorola Moto G7 Power, and Huawei P30 Pro have made their way into industry critics' top 2019 smartphone picks.
With an eye on 2020, the major smartphone manufacturers are looking to up the ante by introducing new generations of their best products with exciting new features. Apple's iPhone XII may feature an OLED display in place of the current LCD screen. Apple could also introduce the world's first foldable phone. Microsoft, not to be outdone, may reenter the smartphone market with its own foldable phone.
Samsung is expected to release the Galaxy S11, but they may also attempt to improve upon their previous foldable phone with the Galaxy Fold 2. Google's Pixel 5, Sony's Xperia 1R/2, Nokia's 10 and Xiaomi's Mi10 are all expected to launch within the next year. Motorola may even bring back the wildly popular Razr smartphone from 2004 in the form of an impressive Razr V4.
It's incredible to see how much has changed in the world of smartphones over the years. Whichever brands launch their next generation of products in 2020 or beyond, one thing is certain: the future of smartphones appears to be bright.
The Future of Smartphones
Consider your first cellphone — it could have been a dependable Nokia or a sleek Razr flip phone. While these devices were innovative and exciting, they were quickly eclipsed by the iPhone and other smartphones. Since the introduction of the first iPhone in 2007, the evolution of smartphones has both amazed and inspired us. While any advancement is welcome, we are especially excited about three developments that are on the verge of becoming mainstream in smartphone design.
1. 5G: By utilizing high-frequency radio waves, 5G will be able to provide users with download speeds up to ten times faster than 4G service, which utilizes lower-frequency radio waves. Additionally, it will enable users to connect more devices to a 5G network, resulting in increased interconnectivity with less interference. A more robust broadband connection will fundamentally alter the digital landscape. The requirement for more advanced 5G infrastructure may also alter our physical landscape as cell tower technology is upgraded to support 5G.
2. Foldable Screens: Consider using a smartphone that can be folded to reduce its size without sacrificing its integrity, resulting in a more durable and shock-absorbing device. Although foldable displays are not yet mass produced, companies such as Samsung and Lenovo have developed prototypes that are on the verge of revolutionizing smartphone design. While Samsung's initial test of the Galaxy Fold did not go as planned, it did highlight critical issues with foldable design, which will undoubtedly pave the way for practical solutions.
3. Immersive Technology: Augmented reality and virtual reality are two emerging immersive technologies. While advanced AR and VR are currently being used in limited contexts such as games and entertainment, the possibilities for advanced AR and VR are limitless, especially when combined with smartphones. Other immersive technologies integrated into smartphones, such as advanced voice commands, 3D displays, holograms, tactile applications, and hardware for biometric authentication, are just a few of the burgeoning tech features that will contribute to a more immersive smartphone experience.
How will smartphones evolve in the future? The possibilities are virtually limitless. As new technologies revolutionize the industry, the small device in our pockets will unlock entirely new realms of possibility, connecting us to virtually anything we desire right in the palm of our hands. When you're ready to upgrade to the industry's best, let The Whiz Cells take care of your old device.
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