Motorola released the first handheld mobile phone called the DynaTAC 8000x in 1973. Since then, mobile technology has advanced tremendously with the introduction of smartphones that include additional software functions. Today, over 70% of the world's population owns a mobile phone, with a large percentage being smartphone users. This has led to a heavy reliance on apps and increased mobile internet usage. Younger users are also adopting smartphones at earlier ages. While mobile communication has changed how people interact, it has also introduced new issues around safety, privacy, and work-life balance with constant connectivity expectations.

1. IN 1973
Motorola released its first handheld phone...
Image: Adam from another planet - Flickr

2. Image: Captain_Bob - Flickr
IT’S NAME WAS THE
MotorolaDynaTAC8000X
and it
weighed
nearly 2
pounds

3. Since then,
we’ve come a long way
Image: ollycoffey - Flickr

4. The introduction of the smartphone signaled
a new era in mobile technology
Image: Gilad Benari - Flickr

5. Merriam-Webster
defines it as...
“A cell phone that includes additional software functions
(as email or internet browser)”
Image: Greeblie - Flickr

6. Image: linkedmediagrp - Flickr
But today we depend on
them to do so much more

7. 70% of the world’s population
own a mobile phone...
Image: SilverGarden - Flickr

8. %
of those are smartphone users
Image: CubaGallery - Flickr

9. This continues to rise as more
people demand smart-phones for
their multi purpose functions
Image: slow911 - Flickr

10. Image: digitalgopher - Flickr
However as their popularity grows,
so do complaints

11. Many people are growing impatient with
accessibility problems
and speed of internet connection
Image: smuzew - Flickr

12. This signals a strong movement towards an even more
mobile society
Source: Whats in your briefcase? Mobile workers infographic - http://sidneyevematrix.posterous.com/mobile-workforce-which-tech-gadgets-do-we-use
One where workers prefer the use of a smartphone over
any other mobile device

13. Image: Dubtastic - Flickr
A society who are also growing dependent on apps that
allow for a greater connection with friends and family

14. Although the gold rush of app development may be
over,
Image: methodshop.com - Flickr
a new focus has revived this...

15. APPS FOR KIDS
Image: Frances Bell - Flickr

16. “The newest trend is apps for kids. Children as young as 18 months and
two years are adept and the mobile hand-held things are more their size”
Source: iPhone apps a hit with preschoolers (Toronto Star) - http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/934673--iphone-apps-a-hit-with-preschoolers
Image: zarah masales - Flickr

17. This has led to an influx in younger mobile phone users
Image: rjBalboaKodakero - Flickr

18. Image: EvelynGiggles - Flickr
85% of children own mobile phones, while only
73% own books
Source: The Growth of Mobile: Stats and figures that will shock you - http://www.youtube.com/user/SybaseInc#p/u/22/0aUQLIPdtg8

19. This has led to
issues similar with
early childhood
internet use
Image: domturner - Flickr

20. “believeout of 10 parents
Nine
their kids should
be taught about mobile
phone and internet safety
in school, a new study
says. ”
Source: Schools should teach kids mobile phone safety -http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8211585/schools-should-teach-kids-phone-safety
Image: Theodore Schitz - Flickr

21. Especially with the advent of
cyber bullying
and the ability to
“check in” at various
locations
Image: evelinachira - Flickr

22. Apps such as foursquare and facebook places
Image: Narisa - Flickr
seem to gain
popularity
with an older
crowd
Image: dnfisher - Flickr
as many teens fail to see the benefits, and consider them
“unsafe”

23. The current users of
locational apps find them
most valuable when
trying to score a coupon
or free meal at their
favourite vendor
Source: Check in Data: The Reality Behind the Hype infographic - http://7.mshcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/social_loco_infographic.jpg

24. Image: Apollo Clark - Flickr
This shows the popularity of the smart-
phone being used for everything other
than the telephone’s initial use...

25. THE VOICE CALL
Image: plenty.r. - Flickr

26. Studies have shown a steady decline in voice calls being made
SMS messaging has become the dominant communication
force
Image: JayB.Stevens2010 - Flickr

27. Image: [Jon] - Flickr
This has led to the phone call being deemed rude and
intrusive

28. We live in a society where
everyone is constantly on the go
Image: Diogo Salles 2010 - Flickr

29. And it has come to be expected that our
mobile devices can keep up with our pace
Image: brhill - Flickr

30. However there comes a time when one must question the
logic of almost every 13 year old...
Image: WinterMuteCreations - Flickr

31. Would you really
“die” without
your cell phone?
Image: alabs - Flickr

32. References
Image: kapester - Flickr
• The Growth of Mobile: Stats and figures that will shock you - http://www.youtube.com/user/SybaseInc#p/u/22/0aUQLIPdtg8
• “Smart-phone”: Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary - http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/smartphone
• Mobile Web Experience Frustrates Heaviest Users - http://www.emarketer.com/Article.aspx?R=1008264
• Whats in your briefcase? Mobile workers infographic - http://sidneyevematrix.posterous.com/mobile-workforce-which-
tech-gadgets-do-we-use
• The age of the app (Globe & Mail) - http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/rob-magazine/the-age-of-the-
app/article1510836/singlepage/#articlecontent
• iPhone apps a hit with preschoolers (Toronto Star) - http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/934673--iphone-apps-
a-hit-with-preschoolers
• Schools should teach kids mobile phone safety - http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8211585/schools-should-teach-
kids-phone-safety
• Half of teenagers have never heard of location check-ins - http://www.tnooz.com/2011/05/14/news/half-of-teenagers-
have-never-heard-of-location-check-ins/
• Data bigger than voice on mobile networks - http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/7528153/Data-bigger-than-
voice-on-mobile-networks.html
• Don’t Call Me, I Won’t call You (NYTimes) - http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/20/fashion/20Cultural.html?_r=1&src=tptw