Nowadays, technology has become so integral in our society that functioning without a personal computer of sort makes living difficult. Many traditional forms of media, communication, and dissemination of information have migrated over to technology to the point that it’s very inconvenient to try to avoid using technology. The prevalence of smartphones has solidified this dependency, and with smartphone users reaching 1 billion and counting, the future seems to lean more on these mobile devices.
As companies and governments provide convenient options through apps and websites, it’s safe to assume that the future of handheld personal computing is significant. Every year, the tech industry generates billions of dollars, and society celebrates even the smallest innovation and development. But with the many features we already enjoy, what else can we expect from mobile devices of the future?
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The Future is Wireless
Wires were once thought of as a tool of convenience, connecting us in more ways than one, but now many developers are aiming to go further the confines of wires. Thanks to the rapid development of technology, we are already living in the age of wireless devices. From Bluetooth connectivity to WiFi connections, many of our hardware can interact without the need for wires.
What else can the future hold for wireless devices and connections? More consistent connection, longer reach, and transfer of multiple resources. Wireless inputs, like keyboard and mouse, existed before the new millennium, but they were expensive and rather rare. Now, a wireless keyboard and mouse (even headphones and cameras) are the usual options for many tech enthusiasts, even smartphone users. But now, a wireless transfer isn’t limited to data, as we can now also charge wirelessly. This technology is by no means new, simply limited to flagship devices. But as the smartphone industry moves further, it is becoming a standard implementation even in mid-range devices.
Better Durability
Smartphones were initially thought of as fragile, having a large percentage of them being made out of fragile material such as glass. Phone repair shops charged a hefty amount for even the smallest repairs- and it was justified. Parts were hard to come by and the compact design makes it difficult for repairs. But thanks to the never-ending efforts of researchers, mobile phones are now becoming more and more resistant to damage.
And this improvement wasn’t all about better materials either, as it was better engineering that allowed for a more durable design. Years of mobile phone research have given scientists and designers the familiarity needed in creating a better and more compact design. Improvements in the glass industry helped as well, as smartphone screens become lighter yet scratch and break-resistant. In the very near future, we can expect smartphones to survive a fall without a protective case- but you will still probably put one just to make sure.
Longer Battery Life
Battery life is something of an ongoing struggle in the research of handheld devices. As phones become more complex and their computational capabilities increase, battery life decreased. It became a major concern for consumers too, as many companies released powerful smartphones with horrendous battery life. But the dilemma of having a short battery life for powerful phones are about to end with the introduction of graphene batteries.
Graphene is a newly developed carbon compound that is considerably lighter than the material originally used for old batteries. They are lighter and more durable, yet still, have a higher energy storage capacity all while shortening charging times. It may sound too good to be true, but graphene battery phones are already being developed. As the mass market picks up graphene technology, more companies will prefer to use it. Soon, we can rely on our phones to last more than a day with one charge.
Smarter AI
Highly responsive and intelligent AIs have already been introduced, and popular among users. We can now ‘talk’ to our mobile phones and tell them what we need or ask them to check something on the Internet. We can book a restaurant, check the weather, or even tell our phones to call someone in our phone book. This technology, once exclusive to science fiction, is now part of our everyday lives- but its development is far from over.
Major companies are putting more and more resources into the development of better phone AI to deliver a more seamless experience. Voice recognition software is steadily improving, now capable of understanding a wide variety of dialects. Spell-checking and autocorrect technology is also becoming a lot more accurate, making communication even more accessible. Expect to see AI assistants becoming an integral part of everyday life, in your house, in the streets, and even in business establishments.
