Essay Topic and Description

The history of the mobile phone and its impact on the current generation.

Intro:
The mobile phone has become a major factor on how we live our lives, either socially or work, and becoming the piece of technology that has evolved along with the changes of the economic world. The mobile phone has changed dramatically from its expensive, yet bulky, original design, to become a fashion item amongst the current generations, with its smaller size and affordability. Added features such as camera, “real tones”, internet, and satellite television being directly broadcast into your handset is just the tip of the iceberg as to what lengths this gadget can go. But, with its successes, there have been just as many problems, both technical and its affects of the health of the user. Despite this, the mobile phone has created a place for itself amongst the fashion-conscious current generation.

Topic 1:
The Birth of a Mobile
The basic idea of the mobile phone (cell phone) came about in the year 1947, when scientists looked into the idea of increasing a car phone’s cellular capacity so it could have a wider frequency and range. Sadly, the technology was not available at the time.
In the year 1984, the mobile phone was first introduced into the public as an expensive piece of equipment, which was also expensive to repair and upkeep. It wasn’t till ten years later that the mobile had gained popularity, causing prices to go down and more people were able to afford it.
Statistics:
In the year 1999, 104 million people in the United States owned a mobile, and that number being a part of the 500 million worldwide who also owned their own mobile.
Resource: http://www.global-source-mkt.com/cellphonefacts.html
Resource: http://inventors.about.com/library/weekly/aa070899.htm

Topic 2:
The technological changes…and accessories.
The mobile has changed from being the simple portable (yet heavy and bulky) phone, to the ultra-fashionable, highly entertaining piece of technology. Currently (2000s) mobiles have changed to the point where talking isn’t even necessary when communicating with someone else, with the invention of the text message (TXT) and the picture, or sound, or even a video message, otherwise known as a Multimedia Message (MMS). Built in cameras can snap pictures or record videos; internet access with the ability to download ring tones and pictures and access emails; pay television (cable tv) being broadcast directly to your handset; changeable covers and various other accessories such as chains and other items. The list goes on.
Resource: http://www.academic.marist.edu/mwwatch/Fall02/articles/Technology/tech4.html
Resource: http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c15189
Resource: http://www.telstra.com.au/nextgnetwork/experience/foxtel.htm?ti=TR-Mob-Offers-Foxtel-Bonus-506x150

Topic 3:
Impact on the current generation… the good and the bad.
The mobile has become such a success and influence that it has become the necessary accessory for the young people of this generation, as a definition of their social lives and welfare. With the costs of high-tech mobile phones becoming cheaper, the idea of owning an expensive mobile model while on a plan is becoming part of the norm. According to recent studies, certain groups can now be defined by what model mobile they own, which is turning society into believing the old shallow-minded beliefs that image is everything, and it’s the objects that you own that define on who you are as a person.
Resource: Article: Mobiles now a self image statement, Business Weekend, Weekend Bulletin, 31/03/07.

This is just a VERY brief explanation, not following essay regulations, on what I will be talking about in my essay. It’s such a broad topic, it’ll be a challenge to condense it all into a 1000 word essay. Bring it on!