alias.brianna

With today’s technological advancements and convergences, portable electronic functionality is experiencing enormous change. Mobile phones can now function as a portable computer, enabling users to connect to the web. They also double up as cameras, audio and video recorders and players, and so much more. Following this trend, the question always beckons: in the future, will our mobile phone be all we need? Contactless payment methods through your cell phone are being explored, as well as its ability to replace your wallet and keys.

With much debate going on, I felt the need to voice my two cents: I feel to say all we will ever need is our mobile phone is to be very simplistic. Technology may be advancing at a rapid pace but there are barriers that will impede the integration of all our needs into a single platform or device. Even if technology was to overcome all barriers and we were really able to produce an all-in-one device, people will not want it. Why? Simply because people have a choice: and it comes down to user interface, convenience and security. Let’s take the convergence of internet with mobile phones. Wireless networks catering to this service are slow, and most sites are not optimized to mobile screens. Mobile screen sizes are small and many will find this a negative point in user interface, such as older people or people with bad eyesight. Furthermore, web surfing on the internet using a computer is far more efficient, and using the keyboard to type long e-mails is far easier and better than using the mobile phone. Your fingers will tire if your eyes and patience do not give out first.

Imagine the convenience of having an all-in-one-device! Great until you lose it or it malfunctions. What did you say? You have a spare? Great – but what’s the difference between carrying a spare computerized version and a physical spare key. Good luck to you if you happen to get your mobile phone stolen with contactless credit cards, keys, and so on. It is simply unfeasible for some things to be integrated into your mobile phone. The adoption of credit card details for instance. It can be done but who would adopt it? Most people are wary when it comes to money and money matters. It was a long time before internet sales took off across the globe to a significant rate. Technology is not infallible. It can be hacked into.

Do not forget that without power, your device would be useless. Mobile phones are supposed to enable to stay connected while being mobile. Enhancing mobility means that devices cannot be too big and cumbersome or too heavy. This in mind, its power source can only be improved to a certain limit. Batteries now die out too fast, and fuel cells are the up and coming power source for mobile devices, with a higher power density. However, with size and weight in mind, everything will reach a limit. Since having more applications/functions in a single device demands more power, this device is practically impossible, and I highly doubt its existence even with nanotechnology. Just my 2cents. =)