George Orwell’s “ 1984” did not turn out the way it was imagined to turn out. Something of that sort happened somehow sometime later in the 1990’s when the internet finally became fair game for all. We all know what happened next. So we fast-forward to the present millennium as we speed off the information highway and load up on everything. Some of us may be aware but the rest will never really get it. That information per se can never be passed off as genuine knowledge. That access isn’t the end but only the beginning. And that if you do not pay heed, everything remains just that — artificial intelligence.
But far from the Orwellian dystopia and authoritarian specter we were supposed to abhor, we’ve all ended up embracing this stubborn and intrusive presence we know intimately as the worldwide web. That in exchange for information, we have willingly become virtual citizens and self-styled online junkies all in the name of modern convenience. There is no need to make amends nor apologies for such a choice. We asked for it and the world gave it to us. Online technology is a sweet-talking charmer. The information fiend we allow to graciously intrude into our lives as we work, play, procreate, sleep, dream, procrastinate, hallucinate and engage in debate.
Spyware technology in certain company telecom systems can stealthily monitor call conversations in aid of corporate information secrecy. Even simple user web-interfaces controlling VoIP in most PBX systems (i.e. RingCentral) can monitor call logs. Business control is as much a part of everyday work as it is a necessity for companies to survive and prevail.
The Big Brother watches every time we go online. Speaking to us with that familiar language of accessibility, connectivity and mobility. Seducing us with the wiles of every new and upcoming technology so sophisticated and unlike the trembling virgins we once knew. We couldn’t care less. We’d rather be fascinated: So, of what make and technology is your new smartphone? It’s time to Google search once more!
Newspeak
Every new technology can’t be considered new technology if it doesn’t come with the requisite newspeak. That cumbersome chunk of technical information designed to adequately inform you about how a certain technology works. Helpful at times but can be so challenging to wade through if you are not that technically-inclined. Take the case of smartphone technologies. What business do we have trying to make sense of what they mean aside from differentiating which smartphone brand uses what technology, anyway. But nothing beats knowing which technology is what especially when the time comes for you to choose. Below are smartphone operating systems currently in wide acceptance and the technologies that power them:
- Android. A mobile operating system developed by Google. A completely open source mobile system and the first of its kind. An open source mobile system means its technology can be used freely by any mobile phone carrier.
- Apple iPhone iOS. Currently the most popular if one were to go by relentless marketing efforts. The iOS is customizable and you can use it to download apps made by Apple like games, utilities, GPS and other tools. iOS also has other operating systems like 3G and 3Gs. You can also create your own apps with this system and publish them to the Apple Store.
- RIM Blackberry OS. A smartphone with a multimedia player and third-party software installation. RIM stands for Research In Motion.
- webOS. This system has functionality over the internet and can support internet-based programming languages such as HTML, CSS and JavaScript.
- Windows Mobile Phones. Technology similarly used in Windows Pocket PCs and PDAs that also have touchscreen abilities.
- Symbian. This is the original smartphone OS. Also an open source OS and enjoys the biggest market share. Developed by Symbian and later on acquired by Nokia.