Mobile Phones

This graph shows the functions that mobile users
value the most. (2005)

Another effect on Personal and Social life comes from mobile phones. we are now able to call and text anyone on the go. Mobile phones let us call and text people, access the internet, play games, take pictures and many new smart phones come with other handy new applications which are revolutionizing our lives. Mobile phones are the biggest means of communication throughout the world with an astonishing 4.6 billion mobile phone subscriptions worldwide as of 2009. I bet it is hard for you to think of many people you know that do not own a mobile phone with many children and over 60’s now buying mobile phones. Mobiles are one of the easiest and most effective ways to communicate with billions of people everyday using their mobile to call and text people around the world.

SMS (Short Message Service ) is the way of sending text messages to landlines and mobile phones. SMS is the most widely used data application across the worlds with roughly 75% of all mobile users using this service. SMS allows you to communicate with other people without talking and instead by typing messages and sending them using your mobile phone. This message can then be sent to who you like and the receiver can read the message eon their mobile phone. If SMS is sent to a landline most phones are now also able to read the message out for you (even if it may be in a strange computerized voice). SMS has also been adapted to create another type of message service, MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service). As the name suggests this service allows you not only to send text but to send all types of multimedia including photos, videos and sound clips. This is a really handy feature and lets you communicate even better with your friends and family. 

Mobile phones now have so many different features. Most phones come with games which means you never get bored and with android phones and Iphones you are also  able to download many different games. Nearly all mobile phones now have a camera which means you can take pictures or video wherever you are without the use of an actual camera. Internet on mobile has to be one of the biggest and best features, we are now able to watch TV programs and videos, connect to social networking websites and visit any website you wish. Obviously this can be seen as a problem as children are able to access any website they want. Many mobile providers now though give you a Parental Security option which blocks any websites that the phone deems as inappropriate for under 18s. Features such as calenders and notes allows you to be organised. And things such as Alarms, stopwatches, calculators etc makes everything easier. Phones also contain GPS this can help us with our personal lives helping us find our way and making sure that we dont get lost. Because of this feature many people are now being more adventurous with where they visit. This though could be a bit misleading as sometimes your GPS may go down may not be able to find out your location or your phone may run out off battery and this could definitely lead to some problems. There are so many features now on phones which are able to help us in our day to day lives.

To find out more about the use of mobile phones i quickly interviewed one of my friends.

So how often do you use your mobile phone

Oh constantly I'm always on it whether thats to go on Facebook, texts my friends or anything I'm always using it.

What feature of your phone do you use the most?

I guess it has to be my texts, i am always texting someone or other.

How many texts do you use a month?

Oh loads it has to be between 1000 and 2000 month

What other services do you use a lot of?

Well i guess I'm always using the internet as well to talk to people and to download apps of the app store.  

Why do you think people teenagers especially use their phone so much?

I personally think its for communication every likes to communicate with their friends and with a mobile phone its so simple. With most phones having access to the internet too now  its just so efficient, you can do almost anything on your phone. 

Final question do you think you could ever live without your phone?

NO WAY! I use my phone all the time there is no way i could ever live without it

Advantages and disadvantages of Mobile Phones

Advantages

• Make communicating fast and easy
• Able to talk to anyone around the world
  
• Many phones contain features such as cameras which means there is actually no need to buy a separate camera
• Portable and can take anywhere
• Easy access to the internet
• Features such as calendars, alarms, calculators etc amek life much easier
• Smart-phones especially Iphones leave you with an endless amount of applications you are able to download
• Can listen to music and watch TV
• No need for landlines

Disadvantages

• Expensive
• Can lead to people spending less time physically with friends and family
• Radiation mobiles produces is proven to be harmful to the body if used too much
• Can lead to change in English language as the use of text speech
• Can cause accidents if used in the car
• People can become more lazy. 
• Difficult to repair if broken

News Stories on mobile phones

http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=113109

http://www.mobiledia.com/news/74786.html

Computers and Laptops

In the mid 20th century the computer was invented. They were the size of a big room when they were first created but now we have changed that to a size of A4 paper. When they were first created PCs costed an absolute fortune and only the wealthiest people were able to afford them. They were big and bulky and did not contain many features. As time progressed computers have become more personal more applications have been added to computers and with creation of the internet computers became even more popular. People like Bill Gates have earned there billions creating programs for Computers.  The Computer computer industry is massive and now with Laptops they are even more successful.  PCs have become portable, laptops enable us to do all the things we would do on a regular computer but with a laptop this means you can do this on the go. Laptops are small which makes transportation easy and with netbooks this is even easier as they they are even smaller. This is why many business men and women are now using laptops as it allows them to do work on the go and you are not refined to one particular place. Not long ago barely anyone had use of a computer but now nearlly everyone has at least one computer or laptop in there house. There are computers available in schools,  libraries and lots of other places.

The Graph above shows the internet use amongst

children and young adults in the US in 2001.

Computers and Laptops come with a whole array of programs and features. Many now contain webcams which allows you to take pictures and if used with programs such as windows live messenger we are able to talk to people all over the world. laptops and computers are contain built in games which can always keep you entertained, with other handy features including calculators, notepads and sticky notes. And with the use and connection to the internet this opens a whole new world of possibilities. Programs like Windows and Microsoft have also revolutionized our PCs and makes work and play so much easier and simpler Because of the easy accessibility of computers though many people think that we are becoming too computer dependent. Thirty years ago you could go through your life without the use of ICT but now ICT is such a huge part of society the generation is becoming dependent on it and without it can not do all their day to day things. Many people now have also become Computer addicts which is obviously not a good thing as it can lead to servers sleep deprivation and mental disorders. Many online games that are on the internet are especially good at this and people can devote their lives to these games, This can lead to many people also becoming antisocial. 

The picture above shows ICT from apple and the change in products from 1984- 2006

The effect of ICT on society has been huge mostly it has allowed us to communicate better with people we want and made our daily lives much easier. We now have better personal and social lives due to the creation of laptops, computer and phones. And with the use of internet, mobiles and MP3 people never have a dull moment as there is always something you can do. People may now be becoming too dependent on ICT as it has become such a huge part of society but overall i feel it has made our personal and social life much better

The effect of ICT on Personal and Social Life - unfinished

ICT has changed life as we know it. One aspect of life it has changed are peoples personal and social life. Everyone is now using ICT in their day to day lives even if they do not no it. The internet has made it so much better for our personal and social life. We are able to communicate with people around the world, spend our free time doing an array of activities online and easily do your grocery shopping online just to name a few different services. We are able to use programs like Windows live messenger which allows us to talk in real time to people all around the world and with the use of webcams and microphones we are also able to see and physically  talk over the internet. The internet allows us to visit billions of different sites aslong as you have an internet connection. ICT has made communication so much easier expanding our social life. We are now able to communicate via social networking sites such as facebook, using IM, via email and via phone calls and text messaging just to mention a few ways. Software such as Itunes etc has also made our lives much more enjoyable we are able to listen to our music all in one place, download any songs you want changing our everyday social life.  Another effect on Personal and Social life comes from mobile phones. we are now able to call and text anyone on the go. Mobile phones let us call and text people, access the internet, play games, take pictures and many new smart phones come with other handy new applications which are revolutionising our lives.

Topics for unit 1.2

The effect of ICT on their personal and social life

The effect of ICT on education

The effect of ICT on the way people work

The effect of ICT on the way we bank and shop

The effect of ICT on crime and the law

BBC Bitesize

BBC Bitesize can be used from students in KS1  to GCSE

BBC bitesize is website designed for children to help them with their education. BBC bitesize caters for all children from KS1 to GCSE. It also includes sections the scottish and welsh education system. Each section of BBC bitesize contains many different subjects. The GCSE section contains twenty different subjects which it can help you with. Each subject is then broken down into different topics so you can find what you want. All of the mini lessons it teaches you contains a "Revise" section. 

This is one game that you can do in GCSE bitesize
this game can be played to specialize in nine
different subject

This is where it actually tells you all about the subject and teaches you everything you need to know. Many of the lessons also contain Activities and Tests to test you on the things you've learnt. The sites also contain a selection of educational games which are fun but you also manage to learn a lot from these games at the same time. BBC bitesize is a very useful thing to use while learning and is especially good when revising. You will need to ask you're teacher what bit to do though because the sites cover many different examining boards so some of the work covered my be irrelevant to what you actually need to know. Some of the subjects also offer "audio bites" so instead of reading you can listen instead. This is a good feature as amny people can easily get bored and with a varied way of learning it can definitely prevent this. There is also a message board on the website which enables you to talk to other students and get ideas and help from them. You are also able to use BBC bitesize on your phone and try the many quizzes  that they have. 

This is an example of a Test Bite

YouTube

YouTube is one of the biggest services online for watching and sharing videos. Youtube was founded in 2005 and since created has become one of the biggest online services around. YouTube is the most popular video site and is used everyday by millions of people worldwide. YouTube contains, Tv programs, Music Videos and films as well as all the other videos uploaded by the public. YouTube is free to use and very simple to navigate around, the search bar makes it easy to find any video you want and with the billions of videos uploaded to the website it is virtually impossible to not find what you are looking for, If you sign up to YouTube you are able to do many things. You are able to upload videos to the site, add favourite videos to your profile and rate and comment other videos just to name a few features. Uploading to Youtube is easy and simple and only takes a few clicks to add whatever you want to the site. You are now also able to upload videos by your phone meaning you don't even have to log onto a computer. You don't have to go on a computer to view the videos either as many devices now such as ipods or mobile phones let you watch youtube videos on them. There is a TV shows section on Youtube which many different programs from a selection of channels. this is much easier as here you can get all your videos in one place instead of going to loads of different websites. You are also able to subscribe to a certain channel you like if you are signed up to YouTube. This allows you to see these videos when you log in. There are features on the videos which make it easier for viewing, including making the video into a pop out instead, expanding it or viewing it on a full screen. You are also able to like and dislike videos, at to favourites or to a playlist or share the video using Facebook, Twitter or email. You are also able to get the embed code which makes it easy to add videos to your website. By seeing the videos you watch YouTube is also able to recommend videos for you which it thinks you may enjoy watching.

YouTube TV shows

YouTube Main Page

YouTube is often in the news, here are some news stories that i have found recently.

Teenage girls’ fight videos sad spectacle

This video which was added to YouTube show two girls violently fighting. Videos like this are now becoming entertainment on websites such as YouTube which is becoming hugely controversial around the world click the link above to read the full story. 

Cops quiz yobs over sick Youtube Clip of Koran Burning

The link above also shows how youtube can be a very controversial topic. The story is about a group of people in the UK who decided on the anniversary of 9/11 to torch the muslim holy book. Click the link above to read the full story.

Addicting Games

On the website you are able to add
comments letting other people know what
you thought of the game

Addicting Games is one of the best game websites on the internet with new games added to the site every day. Addicting Games has ten different categories including "Arcade" "Puzzle" and "Adventure". The site also includes many different tags making it easier to find the games you want. If there is a certain game you want to play there is also a search box where you are able to search for the game you want. Each week there are featured games and plays of the week which shows gamers a whole load of games that they may not have looked at before. It is also easy to keep up to date with the websites news as you can follow it using many different services including Blogger, Twitter, Myspace, Facebook and Youtube. You are also able to add favourite games making it even easier to play the games you want. The website also keeps track of the games you've played and if you want to go back and play it agin you can simply go to the "Just Played" tab where all your recently played games will be. You can sort through all the games easily by using the features on the website. You are able to see the top games of all week, all month and all time. This feature can work by choosing a certain category or can go through all the games. The main page shows all the main categories and has a selection of the top games for each category. If you do not like any of these games you can then press "more games" to see the full list of games available. Players can rate the games saying how good they felt the game was and can leave comments saying what they think. There also is a "What's Hot" tab on the website which shows the games which have been "Top Rated" "Most Popular" "Most Reviewed" or "Most Favourited" making it easy for you to find the best game on the web. 

The rate it feature shows how
many people liked the game your playin

This website contains a huge amount of games providing endless entertainment for the gamers. 

Entertainment

Online entertainment is a world wide phenomenon with millions of people everyday using the internet to play games watch videos, TV,  listen to radio etc. There are billions of services on the internet which offer entertainmnet services the ones im going to cover are BBC iplayer, Youtube and Addicting Games.

Iplayer Home Page

My Catergories

BBC iplayer was released roughly 3 years ago and since the website has been in function has had an astounding amount of views. Iplayer is a website that allows you to catch up on the TV you may have missed. It includes programs from BBC 1, BBC 2, BBC 3, BBC 4, CBBC. CBeebies, BBC News, BBC parliament, BBC HD and BBC Alba. The site contains many ways to find the program you want; there is a list of categories where you are able to look through all the different categories to find what you want to watch categories include "lifestyle and leisure" "comedy" "films" "children's" "factual" and many more. On the homepage it also shows you the featured programs and the most popular programs making it easier to find the program you want. You are also able to search for the program you want using the embedded search engine. BBC iplayer enables you to watch a program up to seven days after it was shown on TV, there are some exceptions though where they are shown on the website for longer.  The main page also has a small  TV schedule on it telling you what programs were on up to three days ago and what time they were on you are then able to click the program and watch it online. It also gives you a schedule as to what programs are on TV today. A new feature to BBC iplayer is the tips video this shows you how to use all the handy features that are on the website and shows you how to navigate round. One good new feature is the favourites button this allows you to select a program you like and when new episodes are released they will be added straight to your favourites folder. which can be accessed from anywhere on the site. You can also add the categories you like to watch straight to your "my categories" folder bringing you a selection of programs from the category each day that you might be interested in. BBC iplayer also has a new "For You" feature which recommends to you programs that you might like. You are also able to download many of the programs so you can watch them on your ipod. 

Iplayer Favourites

As well as BBC TV programs you are also able to listen to radio from all the BBC radio programs. Like with the TV programs, in radio all the same features are available including the favourites button and the "For You" section.

Iplayer is now also available on many smart phones, so you can watch programs wherever you are.

Other programs like iplayer include
4oD, offering catch up on channel 4 programs

Iplayer is a very useful program. You can catch up on all the TV you've missed, organise all your favourite  programs and download things you want so you can watch them on the go. a disadvantage of IPlayer is that it obviously only contains BBC programs. But now there are more online services like iplayer that do exactly the same thing but for different programs ( SeeSaw, 4oD and ITV player).