Whether you have a mobile phone or not, you may be surprised to learn how the device will transform in the future. As you read on, you’ll discover how the smartphone has changed in recent years, how we use it today, and how we might use it in the future.
Age is the major ‘digital divide’ in mobile phone ownership
Several factors contribute to the digital divide, including lack of access, geographic restrictions, lack of technology skills, and geographic isolation. It is a wide chasm in need of solutions. It can affect politics, education, and the economy.
The digital divide is a social and economic inequality based on the use of information technology. It affects a person’s ability to interact with other people online and obtain information and services. It affects all spheres of society, from the economy to health.
Access to technology and Internet connections can help improve educational opportunities and economic development. It can also improve access to health information. The internet can help people interact with other people and participate in governance and political processes. It can reduce food and health vulnerabilities, as well as improve access to financial services.
Multifunction smartphones have a similar effect on the market for dedicated navigation systems
Dedicated navigation systems aren’t the only thing to come out of your smartphone’s sleeve. Whether it’s Siri or Android Maps, you’re likely to be sucked into the GPS vortex if you’re in the vicinity of a good ol’ fashioned map. The good news is that dedicated navigation systems aren’t all that expensive these days. A GPS system may cost as little as $100 and there are a plethora of providers to choose from. The best part is that many are compatible with existing car stereos. A dedicated GPS system can be used in a pinch and may save you from a navigational disaster. In some cases, a dedicated sat nav may be the only navigational solution if you’re in the market for a new car.
Apps create possibility for more natual bedside communication and interaction
Using the latest in mobile health technology is not just about the cool gizmos and gadgets, it’s about improving the quality of care by providing a more interactive experience. While a bedside tablet may not replace a human caregiver, it’s an excellent way to help entertain patients while they wait for an appointment or treatment to begin. Aside from providing entertainment, these devices can also provide patients with access to their own medical records, allowing them to be better informed about their health and treatment options.
While no app or device will cure Alzheimer’s, the right software can help patients retain more memories and avoid the dreaded lapse in memory. Other benefits include improved neuromotor coordination, reduced stress levels, and enhanced overall health outcomes.
The most basic functionality of the app includes access to patient charts, which may contain administrative patient information as well as vital signs. In the event that a patient cannot be read by the caregiver, a mobile interpreter can translate information from the app.
Augmenting our brains with smart chips
Increasingly, people are considering the idea of augmenting our brains with smart chips. These chips could increase our information processing capacity and help us solve problems faster. They could also help people with mental decline or a neurological condition. However, most Americans are not convinced that these devices are a good idea.
A recent survey conducted by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) shows that most Americans are skeptical of the idea of widespread use of computer chip implants in the brain. More than six in ten (62%) of U.S. adults believe that this type of technology would be harmful to society, while fewer than half (47%) say it would be helpful.
While the CDC survey found broad support for the therapeutic use of brain chips, it did not show a strong majority for the use of these devices in everyday life. Only 32% of Americans said they had heard a lot about the idea, while about two-thirds said they had heard little. The survey showed that Americans were divided on the issue of government regulation of brain chip implants.