Movin’ on up: the Progression from 1 G phone service to 4 G

An overview of the progression from 1G to 4G

What Do You Know?

Unless your residence for the past decade has been under a rock, you have at least heard of 3 G and 4 G telephone service. However, unless you are an expert in the technology field that is probably all you have heard of. Furthermore, you probably do not have a clue what 3 G and 4 G means.  Fact is, before the newer generations, there was a 1 G and a 2 G. Within the last ten years, mobile technology has made significant progress.

In the beginning: 1 G

When the first cell phones released, these devices that are now daily necessities to us, were luxury items. The first generation (1 G) technology introduced on these phones, though vastly inferior to today’s phones, was considered to be groundbreaking at the time. This 1 G technology enabled the mobile devices to execute voice calls via narrow band analogue wireless networks with circuit switching. This network did not provide the most precise sound but it got the job done. Through this technology these phones were also allowed to send text messages. This was the extent of the first generation capabilities. There are very few first generation cell phones that are still utilized today.

Second Base: 2 G

After 1 G, the second generation (2 G) of mobile technology was introduced. There were great improvements from the first generation of cellular devices. These improvements included: increased clarity during voice calls, improved text messaging via short message service (SMS), and roaming services that made communication semi-global. This new technology allowed phones to store more memory and features in smaller chips. In other words, this was the beginning of smaller, sleeker, and more attractive phones. In the midst of the 2 G phase, a few more enhancements were tacked on. The latest bandwidth technology was added to further improve voice call quality. However, this was not a big enough improvement to be deemed the next generation. Thus, this addition would go on to be known as, simply, 2.5 G.

Third Times’ a Charm: 3 G

  

The Second generation of mobile technology made notable improvements from the first generation. However, there were still limitations that had to be addressed. The third generation (3 G) served as an answer to these limitations. The technology in 3 G service allowed voice call quality to be perfected to the point where a phone conversation was just as good as a face to face dialogue. This was made possible because of the new 3 G wide band wireless network which used packet switching; opposed to the traditional circuit switching. Because of this technology mobile devices were able to do things people never dreamed of, such as access television, video, radio, etc. Third generation technology also allowed devices to surf the internet at high speeds and introduced mobile video chat. To put it into perspective, the iPhone 4s (arguably the most advanced phone on the market) operates under 3 G services. Check out the following link to see all of the features that 3 G capabilities have allowed this phone to have. http://www.apple.com/iphone/features/

Fourth and Finest: 4 G

With all of the advancements of 3 G, mobile users may have found themselves asking “what more can be done?” Fourth Generation (4 G) technologies provided an answer for that question. While 3 G mastered voice call quality, 4 G found other ways to shine. Mobile devices with 4 G capabilities boast notably faster download speeds than their 3 G predecessors. The video quality from 4 G is also greatly improved. The video playback on 4 G devices is so crystal clear that it is as if you were watching television right on your cell phone! Another improvement from 3 G to 4 G is the speed in which data is sent. Although 3 G devices were capable of high speed performance, 4 G phones are even faster. The improved speed of the 4 G network has served as the main characteristic highlighted in advertisements for newer devices. This advertisement brings humor to idea of not keeping up with the technology of 4 g. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EoMkJ87uMBU

Final Thoughts: In Review

As you can see, mobile technology has come a long way. First users were happy just to be able to talk and text with 1 G. Next, 2 G improved communication quality and extended the meaning of “long distance calls” with roaming capabilities. Then 3 G perfected the voice call and introduced high speed internet and video chatting. Now we have the most recent 4 G technology that allows mobile devices to operate at blazing fast speeds. Seeing as though the mobile industry has earned the reputation of not remaining stagnant, it is exciting to ponder what technology might be in store. However, regardless of what the next big thing is, cell phone technology has come a long way.

To Tweet or no to Tweet?

Do you know how I first heard the news that the iconic vocalist Whitney Houston passed away? It was through a tweet from a friend of mine. Do you think the first word I received about the war in Iraq being over was from looking at the news? Nope. This news was given to me via a Face book post from my cousin who was a soldier for our country. This goes to show that, aside from being fun and trendy, social networks are usually one of the first sources for important or major information in this day in age. With that being said, what happens when the government begins to control what is published online? What if my cousin was never allowed to create his Face Book post because the government did not think the news was ready to be released yet? If government control over social networks is not balanced correctly, then the general public will be taken out of the loop of current events until the government decides they want news to be released.

Obviously there is a line between what news is beneficial to society and what classified information is. Of course if someone is tweeting or creating Face Book posts including things that are supposed to be top secret knowledge, such as United States military strategies, then the government should step in and restrict that information from being released. For example, during the riots in England, social networks were very detrimental. This is so because a lot of the public were ill informed about the cause of the riots due to social networks, and thus were against the English government. It had even gotten to the point where citizens were using the internet to plot violence against the authorities. Because of this, the English government is looking into cutting off access to networks such as Twitter and Face Book during social unrest.

However, there needs to be some kind of check and balance system that ensures that the government does not control information that the public has the right to know. For example, in China there are Buddhist Monks that are rejuvenating their temples by incorporating the use of the internet. This is a luxury that these people have not been able to enjoy, and now the Chinese government is trying to control that. These people have the right to learn how to use the internet and enjoy it, but the government is already pondering ways to regulate their usage. An article on BBC News China says “The government likes to control the flow of information through traditional media outlets to shape what people think - just one of their tools to maintain power.”This clearly shows that the Chinese government is controlling social networks to mold citizens into thinking the way the want them to think, rather than controlling them for the safety of the people.

At the end of the day I believe that it is completely necessary for the government to have some control over the social networks that are being used. However, as you can see with the two examples presented, there is a line between what the government should and should not control.

We Should Be Slacking on the Tracking

In this day in age, people use Global Positioning Systems (GPS) in everyday living. It is perfectly normal to see people using a GPS in their vehicles, on their phones, or even to add the location on a tweet. However, the problem comes in when these systems become the primary tool for vicious acts such as stalking. The invention of the GPS has been a dream come true to man, but it is important that we control its use so it does not become a nightmare as well.

            According to Erik Eckholm’s article “Personal Use of GPS Trackers Growing Fast”, the personal use of GPS trackers is growing at an alarming rate. These trackers were once only used by Police for tracking criminals. Now, every day consumers are buying GPS trackers. There are some very beneficial uses for GPS trackers. For example, if you are a worried adult whose elderly parents have dementia and constantly get lost, it can be just what the doctor ordered. These devices become an issue when suspicious partners begin using them to track their spouses, or crazed lovers use them as stalking devices. Sadly, consumers are not the only problem at hand. According to an article by John Quain, even internet domains, such as Google and Face Book, are using digital surveillance to view users personal information. The ludicrous thing about it all is that legislation was passed so that Police Officers had to get warrants before utilizing GPS trackers. If law enforcement needs special permission for these devices, why should regular civilians have such easy access to them?

            I am sure that we all can agree the GPS has revolutionized society in many ways. Thanks to the devices we can now find our way to an address we have had no prior knowledge o simply by entering a few words and numbers. However, I am also sure that no one wants to live in a world where a father is scared for his daughter because some obsessed teenager has placed a tracking device inside her car’s bumper.  I believe GPS trackers should be limited to certain trust worthy individuals, such as law enforcers, care takers of dementia patients, etc. However, it does not stop there. According to an article on GPS Tracking News, the use of GPS tracking on cellular devices has been rapidly increasing. Therefore I believe cellular devices should come with certain restrictions to the GPS software. The point of it all is that the use of GPS Trackers needs to be controlled; in other words “We should be slacking on the tracking “!