New media and devices

Smartphones Applications
Not so long ago smartphones completely revolutionized the way we knew and used phones. With their fast processing speed and large storage capacity, we were able to download multiple applications that made communicating with friends and family all the lot easier and cheaper. They have brought a great change in our lives. Smartphones are now fast overtaking the old phones. Today we are so dependent on these phones for numerous reasons that it would not be wrong to say that it is impossible for us live without them. It has also been reported that an average check their phones around 150 times in a single day

A vast number of people now own a smartphone through which we can access various applications related to games, entertainment, weather, sports, social networking sites etc. Moreover, some of these applications are for free while others are purchased by paying. However, the price of the paid applications is also relatively low. Different varity of smartphones applications introduced us to new ways of using phones for other more creative purposes then making calls and sending messgaes. The weather of any country of the world is now just two clicks away, thanks to the weather application that allows us to see the weather conditions that will prevail in the country, and tells us beforehand how the weather in the next week will turn out to be. We can now immediately see any major events taking place around the world with just one touch on our smartphones. Apart from this, the icons of maps reassure us that we will never get lost not even on a foregin land. Also, many smartphones applications bring us news about recent events both local and international.



Social Media Applications on Smartphones
It has been noted that now facebook and twitter users spend more time on their smartphones than on their computers and laptops. These. applications keep us connected to our accounts all the time and to each other as well. Notifying whenever there occurs any new activity. There are a lot more applications available that have been designed and redesigned for smartphones. One such example is of Skype that does not only give us free international calls, but comes with an added option of video calling. Another new media application is Viber. Viber is also free of cost. Users can make both types of calls either international or local. Viber can only be downloaded on a Smartphone, and contact is only possible if both parties have this application. Whatsapp is a free of cost application of sending free messages to close ones, no matter where they live. It relives the users of facing network charges as it is a little expensive to to text others from a local network. Another application that is fastly gaining popularity is called Line. Although it offers it users with the same features as Viber does but it has a more clear reception and facebook inspired timeline in order to give people with a chance to fill their timelines with status updates and stickers. With the help of Instagram we can take and share pictures with others within seconds just by making an account.



Effects of Social Media Applications
We seldom feel the need to use our laptops or computers for checking into our accounts because of these social media applications which are always with us wherever we go. However, recent research has determined this factor that we are fast becoming addicted of these sites which certain poses harmful effects. Previously, people had to use their computers and laptops to access social networking sites. Now, they can access their accounts on the go courtesy the smart phone applications. The continuous use of these sites has reduced face to face contact between people. Moreover, the need to update profiles and statuses make people check their accounts and stay online for longer periods of hours in a day many times skipping a night’s sleep. Furthermore, the issue of privacy also arises when using these applications. People upload their pictures when making an account, which puts them in danger of anyone accessing their personal pictures just by entering their numbers. Last but not the least, different mobile network companies have been affected by these applications as people now use these above mentioned applications for calling and messages. Which in turn affect their revenue generation.