Cutting Edge: Science, Technology, and Smartphone Apps
Recent advances in both science and technology have given rise to novel means of communication that earlier generations would have never dreamed of being possible. Chief among these is today’s smartphone and the vast range of apps designed for every conceivable purpose.
In hopes of demystifying the world of high-tech for everyday readers, this site provides an array of informative essays and articles on numerous subjects related to science and technology. With a particular emphasis on smartphone applications, this site can give the uninitiated everything they need to know about the rapidly-evolving technological landscape of the 21st century.
While the COVID-19 crisis overshadowed most of 2020, the scientists not battling the virus were out making equally incredible discoveries. From studying ghost particles in Antarctica to detecting water on the moon and uncovering the origin of carbon, 2020 witnessed a raft of new breakthroughs that set the science world alight.
With technology evolving faster than ever, the capability, diversity, and quality of today’s apps are at an all-time high. Global giants, such as Netflix, Instagram, and Uber, mingle with hot new releases, including Colorize and DontKillMyApp, to offer users every possible convenience for their day-to-day smartphone activities.
The advancement of technology has sped up significantly in the past 50 years. In 1970 we didn't have cell phones, personal computers, or the internet. The growth of technology created new career paths in IT. Thanks to technology, there are numerous ways to earn cash quickly. You can do many small jobs on the internet. You can even play games online with a huge selection of platforms to choose from. Head to pacasino.com to find out more.
Wires and Telephones
We have come a long way from landline telephones and dial-up internet. Fiber cables have increased the speeds of the internet to over 100mbps. It also meant that people no longer had to wait for your sister to get off the phone before logging into the internet. Thanks to wireless, we can use the internet in hotel rooms, coffee shops, and every room in the house.
The humble telephone has evolved into a mini-computer you can carry around everywhere. From simple voice calls, we have moved onto video calls, text messages, apps, cameras, Google docs, and the Cloud.
Before 1970, a computer took up an entire room and was only used in universities and businesses. The personal computer made its appearance in the 1970s. Its capabilities were minimal.
Robots Everywhere
Robotics has taken incredible strides in the past 50 years. Happily, they have not started a war with humanity, but robots are everywhere. Many industries rely on advancements in robotics.
Doctors can perform key-hole surgery with incredible precision. It doesn't take groin-to-sternum cuts to remove or repair organs. Bomb-squad robots save human lives. These impressive pieces of machinery can disarm a bomb in a small space while the operator works from a safe distance.
We have robots in our homes too. Smart homes can control the lights, temperature, tv, and other electronics by voice command. Some companies even make tiny robots that act like pets but can connect to the Wi-Fi, set reminders, create shopping lists, and connect to your chosen home assistant.
Jobs Everywhere
The career landscape has changed a lot in the past 50 years. The advancement of technology might have lessened the need for hands-on work in places like factories, but careers in upkeep and repair of the machinery have increased. Proficiency in programming, IT, and tech has become a necessary part of life. You cannot work a desk job or fix a car without the knowledge of computers.
The global pandemic has also proven that we can harness this technology to do a myriad of jobs online. Some jobs have existed for years but have recently exploded because many people were looking for extra income. You can teach English online to children and adults in other countries via a webcam and headset. Many people started online transcription or subtitling jobs. Freelance jobs online are just a click away, and thanks to the internet, personal computers, and services like Paypal, you can work for anyone in the world from anywhere in the world.
Technology is breathtaking and takes us by surprise often. Not everybody has the vision that entrepreneurs such as Steve Jobs had back in the '80s. He knew what was possible, and he didn't stop trying until he managed to build what the rest of us couldn't even fathom.
Mobile apps have come a long way since the first game on the Nokia 6610.
It's not only the graphic capabilities on that small little screen that's impressive, but the connectivity, social connectivity and participation, and the layers of information you tap into that are genuinely mind-boggling.
The variety of mobile apps that are available today covers every topic and need a person might have. You can order and pay for your dinner with the click of a button and at the same time buy some Bitcoins on a forex trading app.
Let's take a trip down memory lane and look at the history of mobile apps.
Where Did it All Start?
When we talk about mobile apps, it excludes phone features such as calculators, calendars, and alarms that saw the light in the '90s on the Nokia 6110. In 1997 when the 6110 launched with the 'Snake' arcade game, mobile apps jumped into existence.
Mobile apps as we know and love them today are a relatively new invention. It was only with the release of smartphones that apps also became, well, smarter.
Many will say that irrespective of who built the first smartphone app, Steve Jobs' vision of the Apple app store drove this industry into existence.
The first iPod released had Solitaire and Brick games built-in.
The Launch of the App Store
The iTunes store launched shortly after the iPod. It was the best music revolution since Woodstock. Everybody wanted it, and it was the ultimate birthday or Christmas gift for teenagers and parents alike.
iTunes was a foretaste of what was to come with the Apple App Store. In 2007, the iPhone hit the market, and it was the perfect platform for creating native apps. The App Store launched the next year in 2008, and mobile apps became a household name.
There's no way of marking one specific mobile app as the first-ever. The first version of the Apple App Store had 500 apps, making it difficult to say which one was the original. They all hit the market simultaneously.
The Rest Follows the Pursuit
The rest of the IT giants followed close on the inventors' heels, and the world as we knew it changed irrevocably. Soon, everybody was browsing the Amazon App Store, Google Play, and Blackberry's App World.
Fortunately, all developers realized that to grab a more significant portion of this highly competitive market, they had to offer free apps. Most offered entry-level versions free of charge with premium versions with more features, at a price.
Conclusion
It's difficult to remember a time when everything wasn't available at the touch of a button, but in reality, it's just over a decade ago. Technology advances rapidly, and you have to keep up to date with all the inventions to benefit.
Reading tech magazines and blogs from the frontline is an excellent way to stay on top of everything new.
From coffee cup warmers to smart glasses and sleep alarms, the disruption of 2020 failed to stop inventors from pushing the boundaries of digital design. A wave of new creations appeared to provide convenience, safety, and simple entertainment to a society eager to experience the capabilities of today’s technological advancements.
