How Mobile Devices Have Changed Our World Forever

We use more mobile devices in today’s society than ever before. This article will explain what a mobile device is, some of the most common devices we use daily, and how the world of mobile ties into the Internet of Things.

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The Rise of Mobile Devices
Mobile has become of such high demand that it now accounts for more than half of all the devices we use on a daily basis. It is hard to imagine a world now without mobile, but there once was a time that we did not have such luxuries. It was not that long ago when desktop and stationary hardware ruled the industry. Times are changing now, and the focus has shifted mainly towards a mobile device populated world. A mobile device is a handheld computer or any other electronic device that is designed with portability in mind. Some of the most common mobile devices we use today include:

• Smartphones
• Tablets
• Laptop computers
• Smartwatches
• E-readers
• Handheld gaming consoles

Smartphones
With the rise of Android and iOS, smartphones are the most popular mobile device right now, and for a good reason. These devices are handheld, can fit in a pocket, have a variety of uses, and help keep us connected at all times thanks to a constant network connection from a wireless carrier. There are many different device choices, so it should be easy to find one that meets all of our needs.

Tablets
Similarly to smartphones, tablets share many of the same benefits but in a more significant form factor. A tablet shines when performing tasks that would be more suitable for a larger display with more battery life. Some examples include work presentations, heavy gaming, or even live streaming of shows in high definition on Netflix.

Laptop Computers
These devices have always been popular because they give us the functionality of a desktop computer that we can take anywhere. We can use the same operating system with the same programs, which means there is no device learning curve. Having a full-sized keyboard, the same input/output ports and the ability to connect an external display are some added benefits as well.

Smartwatches
These devices are relatively new and play in somewhat of a niche market at this point. The main benefits a smartwatch can provide us with are the ability to get notifications and necessary information on our wrist without having to pick up another device. With some of the new standalone models, we can even take and receive phone calls just like our smartphones can.

E-readers
We have had these devices around for many years, and they share some commonalities with a tablet, but their primary purpose is for reading. The Amazon Kindle and Barnes & Noble Nook have made the e-reader a popular choice for people who enjoy reading books in a digital format. These devices changed the whole concept of reading and helped to bring books into a new era.

Handheld Gaming Consoles
These devices go way back to Nintendo’s Gameboy and have forever changed how we think about mobile gaming. Some of the most well known mobile gaming devices we have today include the Nintendo Switch and the Nintendo 3DS. Gaming is now one of the most popular forms of entertainment, and there will always be a need for such devices.

A Few New Mobile Trends
With every passing year, new sets of trends in the world of technology emerge. We can expect quite a few mobile-based trends, precisely over the next few years. For example, we will see a more significant shift to progressive web applications, more websites that provide a mobile-first environment, and a continual focus on artificial intelligence-based apps and services as outlined below:

• Progressive web applications can be accessed through any supported web browser, just like a website. Developers can run their apps on multiple platforms while keeping a unified design and functionality for all devices.
• Starting in 2016, Google began indexing and promoting mobile-first websites before the desktop counterparts. Sites must be built with mobile functionality in mind to stay relevant. Using proper formatting and interfaces that work with touchscreens is critical.
• Since machine learning technology is only getting better, artificial intelligence-based apps and services are going to do the same. This allows our mobile devices to get smarter over time as technology companies continue building on those services.

The Internet of Things and Mobile
You have probably heard about the Internet of Things (IoT) at some point in time, but what does it mean exactly? The Internet of Things is considered to be a system of computing devices that can connect to the internet and send information without human interaction. This kind of technology can be implemented into just about any device you can think of, such as our essential household appliances.

This means remarkable improvements to the mobile world in particular because we can now take non-smart devices and give them a new purpose. Examples of these types of IoT devices would be thermostats, refrigerators, coffee makers, and lamps. Our smartphones, for example, have a wide variety of sensors in them that most people did not realize they had. All of these sensors allow our mobile devices the ability to interact with future IoT devices as they become available.

The Wrap-Up
A mobile device can be any mobile computer or a variety of other electronic devices that have portable functionality. Typical examples include smartphones, tablets, laptop computers, smart watches, e-readers, and handheld gaming consoles. We can expect a few new mobile trends to evolve and grow over time such as progressive web apps, mobile-first websites, and AI-based services. The Internet of Things helps bring non-smart devices into the world of smart computing and can be implemented into numerous items (e.g., thermostats and refrigerators). Mobile computers are the gateway to IoT devices since they already contain a variety of sensors, which allow us to communicate with them directly.

How do you feel about the world of mobile starting to surpass the desktop world? I will always need both in my life and enjoy using each of them for specific purposes. Share your thoughts and feelings about mobile devices and the Internet of Things!