The mobile taking the place of the computer?

The phenomenon of using internet on Mobile is more and more obvious especially since the iPhone has arrived (2008). Therefore, it re-launched Internet for mobile and consequently people became more dependent on their phone.

A research from analyst firms such as Berg Insight believes that the mobile broadband market in Europe may increase to more than 5 million connections by the end of this year, with a staggering 30 million expected for 2011.

http://www.ispreview.co.uk/news/EElFuyVFVyjvoIKVxs.html

It may lead to ask this question: Is the mobile taking the place of a computer?

Agreeing or Disagreeing, this topic can be discussed during a long time but it is interesting to understand which factors can make differences between them.

Comparing to the computer, the user of a mobile can have an instant access to Internet (networks/email/ Twitter…) whenever and wherever. Moreover operators make this access easier with their 3G/3GS offers and allow having instant access everywhere (as long as the mobiles receive 3G or there is the Wi-Fi). This instant access allows to be on Internet all the time and generates many new services like geolocation, which provides the location of few areas as restaurants or shops. Therefore, this application can make people’s life easier.

However, the geolocation like all these other applications can generate an important question about privacy. Many web sites show that there is a huge privacy over using mobile phones and also many people think that using mobile phones is like being spied.

As a computer, your phone can be tracked. New technologies allow distrustful spouses or anxious parents to track your mobile phone, locating your position at any time of the day. You have probably noticed on television programs that the mobile tracking is offered to the massive consumers. This news has been perceived as a terror in thousands of young teenagers and spouses who prefer keeping their leisure and own activities in private. Tracking companies are also a new trend. Managers and employers are nowadays able to know what their staff members are doing and where etc…Then they can write reports on their daily actions.

http://www.yourprivacy.co.uk/PrivacyMobilePhone.html

Therefore, it means that there is less and less safety. As more and more people use mobile phones, more and more viruses or spywares will appear. However, companies have not created and designed yet competent anti-virus as we can find for the computer.

The last factor which is interesting to underline is the personalisation of the mobile. Nowadays, it is very common to get your own ringtone, to add pictures for your background, to download games which can be done without plug to the computer but to update the software you need to plug you phone to your pc (iPhone with iTunes), that is why the mobile is still dependent to the computer

What is essential to understand is the mobile facilitates the connection to internet and allows to use applications as a computer. However, it can also cause troubles as a computer like virus, cut this border of “privacy” and be dependent of the computer. Therefore, the mobile can not take the main role of the computer but be a complementary.