The mobile phone has become so ubiquitous in modern life that it’s almost hard to imagine life before them. They’ve become an essential part of daily life, and have become such an important part of society that many people believe they could not function without them. It’s almost difficult to imagine a time before mobile phones existed, but that time was not that long ago. It stands to reason then, that the mobile phone has evolved so rapidly in such a short space of time. In this article we’ll look at where the mobile phone has come from, how they evolved, and how they’ve become so central to modern life.
Where did the Mobile Phone Come From?
The earliest examples of mobile phones date back to the early 1900s. The first phone call was made on April 27th, 1903, by two Italian radio technicians, Gugliemo Marconi and Charles Amadeus Koch, who were both using radio technology to communicate with each other across the Atlantic.
However, it was not until the Second World War that mobile phone technology would truly come into its own. In Nazi Germany, the military were looking for a way to keep in contact with their troops during battle. A German wireless engineer named Heinrich Hertz was experimenting with wireless technology and was able to prove that radio signals could be transmitted through the air. After this breakthrough, the military began to explore the use of radio for communication on the battlefield, and quickly realized that mobile phones could provide a significant advantage. The military were able to keep in contact with their troops, even if they found themselves behind enemy lines, and were able to call in airstrikes. After the war, the military were quick to bring the technology back to civilian life so that it could be used by members of the public.
How Do Mobile Phones Work?
Mobile networks use 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G technologies to provide a mobile phone signal. While most people are familiar with the 2G technology, 3G and 4G technology is much more common.
Since the 1950s, it has been possible to transmit signals over a radio channel by using amplitude modulation. This means that instead of a signal being transmitted by altering its frequency, it is altered so that it changes its amplitude (the higher the signal, the lower the amplitude). This is how mobile phones operate.
The radio signal is modulated using amplitude modulation, and then sent over the air. The signal is received by a mobile phone antenna, which then converts it back into an electrical signal. This electrical signal is then sent through the phone, where it is decoded back into an audible or visual signal.
Smartphones
Smartphones make it possible to do so much on a mobile phone that it’s easy to forget that they originally started out as a simple communication device. Smartphones are now such an integral part of modern life that it can be difficult to remember a time before them.
Smartphones first hit the scene in the early 2000s, with the release of the Motorola StarT ac hance. Smartphones were originally used in business environments, but soon found their way into everyday life. Today smartphones are the most popular type of mobile phone, with over 80% of people in the UK owning one.
Mobile Internet and Apps
Today smartphones are more than just mobile phones. They can be used as a mobile internet device, with access to websites and apps through the mobile internet. With apps, smartphones can be transformed into a “smart” device - collecting data and making decisions without you ever having to take action.
Apps on smartphones can be used to access all the internet has to offer. This can include social media, news and music, among many other things. Some apps can even provide you with information such as traffic and weather updates. Apps can also be used to do all kinds of things. You can book flights, order food, and manage your work schedule through apps.
Apps are becoming an increasing part of social media usage. For example, Facebook and Twitter apps have become a standard feature on mobile phones. This means that people spend more time online, connecting with friends and family, than ever before.
The Future of Mobile Phones
The future of the mobile phone looks very promising. The next generation of mobile networks is set to provide even faster download speeds and improved reliability. To make use of these new technologies, phones will need to be upgraded to support the new, more advanced standards.
It’s likely that the future of the mobile phone will continue to rely heavily on apps. With so many services now available as apps, it seems likely that the future of the mobile phone will be even more reliant than ever before.
In terms of communication, the future looks very similar to the present, with the main difference being the increased use of technology. We’re likely to see an increased reliance on mobile internet, as well as apps and instant messaging.
Summary
The mobile phone has come a long way since its inception as a military technology. From being used for communication to being used for internet access and social media, the mobile phone has transformed from being a simple communication tool into something much more.