Smartphone purchases are on the rise; the figures are truly phenomenal and put into perspective by Cisco’s "Visual Networking Index Global Mobile Data Traffic Forecast Update" (as reported by Mashable in their article titled "Mobile Devices Will Outnumber People by the End of the Year"):
In 2012, the number of mobile-connected tablets grew 2.5 times to 36 million, and each tablet generated 2.4 times more traffic than the average Smartphone. Android also beat iPhone levels of data usage in the U.S. and Western Europe.
With connected devices on the rise, mobile data usage is skyrocketing too — mobile traffic worldwide grew 70% in 2012, nearly double what it was the year before. It's now 12 times what the global Internet was in 2000.
Source: Mashable
This increasing consumption of device hardware including iOS, Android and Windows devices is not only driven by desire but by the increasing capabilities of such devices that extend way beyond the device's forefathers.
You see, It's not just the phone manufacturers innovating, in fact it could be argued that other companies and developers are continually releasing Applications or Products that extend the usefulness of these devices and cement their practicality in our modern lives.
Modern Smartphone’s are increasingly been used for activities way beyond Text, Voice and even Video communication; they are becoming key devices in our daily lives. To demonstrate this we've rounded up some current and emerging uses of Smartphone’s in the home as well as out and about.
A recent arrival to the Irish Market, Sum Up allows the user to download an app to their Smartphone, connect in the card reader device and take Payments - essentially turning the user's Phone into a mobile POS device. For anyone conducting business outside the traditional "office" or fixed location this offering will likely become a defacto business tool, it seems a perfect fit for Trades People, Small Store's, Market Traders or frankly anyone who takes payments.
Many will be familiar with Skype and certainly some businesses will be utilising it daily, however some businesses will be more reliant on traditional PBX based phone systems to provide their primary internal communications. Whilst hardware based solutions are well proven over the decades it's arguably predicted that their will be a shift towards "Soft" or "Hybrid" offerings that utilise Software that can be hardware Independent thus easily scaled.
3CX is a Smartphone app that hybridises fixed line and mobile PBX, once installed and setup for your SIP Account / Provider it lets you use your phone as you would a traditional desk phone on a PBX system. In stances where "hotdesking" occurs, or any requirement for rapid scaling is needed, this technology really shines. No longer do you reply on phone points and fixed phones themselves but rather the software based phone whether it's installed on your Smartphone or running on your Computer, which can arguably decrease hardware cost and infrastructure outlays t any business.
While it's origin and primary platform is web-based, Trello is a "fantastic collaboration tool that organizes your projects into boards". While Task Management and Collaboration software is a fairly saturated arena the thing that makes Trello stand out is it's simplicity. The interface seems to be based on a highly organised notes / que card system, within 5 minutes of using it you'll have it mastered and what more they have a Smartphone App letting you easily and conveniently view, edit and monitor activity within your boards form anywhere.
Don’t let the fact that Trello is loved by some of the big players (i.e. The New York Times, Tumblr and Tripadvisor) lead you to believe it's just a tool for big organisations. Trello's simply, intuitive and unrestrictive interface opens it use up to just about anyone whether your planning out a film or advert storyboard, informing end users (of your product) on roadmap features or planning a wedding - Trello has users doing exactly that.
While there are many similar offerings we've focussed on the free XBMC remote control App "XBMoteC". For those unfamiliar, "XBMC is an award-winning free and open source (GPL) software media player and entertainment hub for digital media" and a great example of Open Source development. Media Players are a dime a dozen but XBMC really is an impressive offering and companion to your HTPC (Home Theatre Personal Computer). Where a few years ago a HTPC was essentially another black box of a PC allowing control and playback of Music and Video libraries nowadays these devices come with far smaller footprints both physically and in power consumption.
XBMC can run on many devices that can be attached to your TV or Audio System, but one impressively small (in size and cost) implementation is on the Raspberry Pi. Once you've installed the Raspbmc onto your SD card, configured your networks settings and media sources you have a zero-noise, zero moving part and low power Media Centre.
So having implemented your new HTPC it's time to control it, and rather that having to plug in an old mouse or keyboard or purchase a radio/IR remote you can harness XBMoteC. Once installed on your Smartphone (and a few configurations for your WiFi network is made on the XMBC node) you can simply add your playback device and control it over WiFi.
As well as providing basic remote control functionality it allows you to browse your Music, TV and Film libraries easily.
While a few years back there were some companies pushing Home Automation products they arguably leant towards the more expensive side and were a very closed system, i.e. they required a specific set of hardware and control. The internet's expanse to mobile devices has shifted this scene and allowed manufactures and companies to create neat solutions to everyday living.
Kicskarter.com has been awash with innovators seeking funding for some truly handy hardware that aims to simplify our lives. Whilst Audrino users and hackers alike have been creating solutions they do require programming or electronics hardware knowledge to replicate as a DIY (hacker) enthusiast however it seems in the next few years these devices may become common place in many homes due.
Take home lighting, Philips have an offering called "Hue" which allows you to control lighting in your home. Their clever bulbs let users control lighting via a Smartphone App, whether it's to create ambience, wake you up or give the impression of a home presence whilst your away for security purposes.
Aside from lighting there are options to control power on other home devices. Take for example Belkin's WeMo Switch, coupled with the Smartphone App you can easily turn devices on and off via WiFi or via the Internet.
For anyone who's seen a Documentary, TV Show or Film in the last 3 years there's a fair chance that some scene may have been filmed on a GoPro unit. Despite it's high profile usage in the likes of Top Gear and by Lewis Hamilton the product was born form the desire to capture surf footage by Nick Woodman, filling a niche between the equipment that was financially unattainable to most amateurs.
GoPro's most recent offerings (Hero 3) have tapped into Smartphone's via an App that allows the user to control and review footage conveniently over an AdHoc WiFi connection. For a camera with limited physical buttons, and designed to be mounted in positions that range from helmets to the bumper of a rally car, this App provides an utmost level of convenience for any avid sports cinematographer.
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