Welcome to Communications Unplugged!
The mobile phone has a rich history, dating back to the development of handheld two-way radio technology in vehicles and continuing on to the cellular and satellite devices that are used today. Technologically, the developments have been extraordinary, as large, heavy "brick" phones have been replaced with sleek devices that can not only make phone calls, but send text, pictures, and video; stream video from the internet; access web sites; download files; interact with web sites like Twitter and Facebook; store contacts, calendars, and task lists; capture videos and pictures at higher quality than full-fledged cameras did just years ago; play music; send e-mail; and more. In fact, the cell phone, which was once viewed more as a tool for emergencies or mobile convenience, is quickly replacing landlines as the only phones in certain households, particularly among younger segments of the population.
As impressive as the enhanced functionality of these devices is the incredible proliferation of them. According to the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association, 4.3 million Americans had cell phones in 1990. By October 2008, that number had jumped to over 266 million, nearly sixty-two times as many users as there were two decades earlier. This growth is seen not only in the United States, but globally, where analysts project that over 700 million cell phones are sold annually. Trikon Technologies Inc., which makes equipment used in the construction of cell-phone components, stated that the worldwide market is "forecasted to reach 1 billion units by 2006."
These numbers are nothing short of staggering, and they begin to illustrate why these devices and the mobile phenomena are so important to understand. The world is becoming increasingly wireless--whether that is seen in cell phone use, internet connectivity, or a panoply of other developments. Leading the charge is the mobile phone, which is a staple in the United States and certainly is becoming essential on a global level. With that in mind, it is critical for global citizens--and certainly as students who are interested in technology-- to develop a comprehension of who the major players are, how the industry has developed over time, what makes the cell phone such a dynamic and useful tool, how cell phones even work and interact, and what the future holds.
This leads us to the goals of this site, which are consistent with the larger goals of the ThinkQuest organization: to educate our visitors on an issue of global relevance, engage a complicated and often technical issue in a manner that is comprehensive and understandable, and interest the visitor with a topic that is both intriguing and aligned with the technological interests of the ThinkQuest community.
