Innovations on the Horizon: The Rise of the Smartphone

It’s hard to imagine life without smartphones, but not too long ago, they were a luxury rather than a necessity. 

When the iPhone launched in 2007, it wasn’t the first smartphone, but it revolutionized the market by making the internet, apps, and communication seamless for it’s users. 

Adoption of Smartphones

Early adopters of the smartphone consisted of tech enthusiasts, business professionals, and those who valued convenience of being connected, they were quick to jump on board. These people are those that are typically willing to take risks with new technology and often influence others to follow.  

After the early adopters, the early majority followed. Who are the early majority? The early majority are those people who saw the benefits once the bugs were worked out. 

At the beginning of smartphone use they were not as efficient when it came to internet use and it wasn’t as affordable for users. The early majority are those who waited for smartphones to become more affordable, for the App Store have an expanded list of apps, making it suddenly for more than just businesspeople; they were for everyone. 

The late majority held out a little longer, but why would they do this? This occurs often due to skepticism or cost but they eventually gave in because society has made it almost impossible to function without a smartphone. Look at how businesses, schools, and even government services moved online, making smartphones a necessity rather than a choice.  

Are there people who don’t have smartphones? Why would you not want to be actively connected? There are some people that avoid smartphones as a whole for many reasons. People who avoid smartphones tend to do it for privacy reasons, cost concerns, or just because they don’t see the value. Others, especially those who are elderly they simply prefer different types of connectivity because of the learning curb that comes with smartphones.

Results of the Innovation of Smartphones

While smartphones offer access to instant communication, endless information, and convenience; it also brings distractions, privacy concerns, and reduces face-to-face interaction. We have seen many people struggle with screen addiction and social media pressures as a result of the daily implementation of smartphone use. Ultimately, adopting any type of new technology is a balancing act of pros and cons. The decision varies based on the individual, but once a type of technology reaches mass adoption, the influence it has is nearly impossible to ignore.