We’ve come a long
way since the very first instances of verbal and written communication. From
the early stages of speech, along with the primitive use of symbols and
pictures to convey messages to one another, we’ve evolved into a communications
powerhouse. Data has never been transferred faster and communication has thus
never been more sophisticated than it is right now.
Communication: Past to Present
From ancient
writing techniques and newspapers we’ve moved on to text messaging and email.
From Morse code and telegraphs to telephones and radios, we now moved on to
televisions, computers and cell phones.
TV’s
that utilized tubes with vacuum seals and boasted analog signals and black and
white color are now Flat Screen LCD’s or Plasma’s that boast all digital High
Definition Signals, thousands of lines of resolution and millions of color pixels.
Rotary phones and dial up communication has been transformed to portable
phones. From there they moved on to satellite communication cellular phones.
Hand written symbols, numbers and letters went from being carried to being
digitally transferred. We no longer have to wait for days to receive
information as most of our data messages can be transferred in a matter of
seconds over high speed broadband internet connections with computers that
boast Gigabytes of Ram and Gigahertz of processor speed.
What’s Next?
With all of the
evolution that has taken place, with TV’s, phones, and computers, we wonder
what is going to be the next best thing. Despite the popularity of all of these
forms of communication individually, I can’t help but pick a technology that
does all three. The technology that can host phone calls, transfer data, and
hosts television broadcasts gets my vote.
The Inadequate Cell Phone
You may be
thinking that your cell phone is where I’m headed with this. Granted, cell
phones can transfer data (text messaging, email, web-browsing, etc), and they
obviously allow you to make phone calls. Some of them do stream live video
broadcasts. They are highly mobile too! I, however, want something that is
better equipped for the challenge. Cell phones cannot process information as
fast as a computer can send out emails or internet surf. They cannot produce
the visual stimulation that a TV is capable of. So, although they can do all
three, I’m not picking a super cell phone as the next best thing.
The Impractical Television
This leaves me
with my TV and my computer. I am not sure how you feel about this, but I don’t
think I want my LCD TV to serve as my phone. For practical purposes, my TV is
on my wall, in my living room. Two problems with this are that I would not be
able to pick my TV up and move to another room to make a phone call if I wanted
privacy and if you have people over watching a game I doubt they would want you
to interrupt the game to take a call. If you know how annoying that phone
number that pops up on your TV when you have Digital Phone service can be, then
you know what I’m talking about.
The Super Computer!
Process of
elimination leaves the computer as the last tech standing. Computers are highly
capable of data transfer. They can host live video broadcasts with exceptional
quality. Now if we can just get them to host phone calls we’d be on to
something. Oh wait, they already can! I know that making phone calls through
your computer has been something you could do for a long time with a microphone
and headphones/speakers. However, with the help of Voice over Internet Protocol
(VoIP) phone technology it simply has not been easier. In addition, the
development of ridiculously great laptops has pretty much made phone calling
through your computer as mobile as your cell phone; sort of. An explanation is
coming up soon.
The Integration of VoIP
VoIP allows you to
make phone calls in three different ways. You’ll need a high-speed broadband
internet connection for all three options. First, you can still make that phone
call through your computer using a microphone and headphones/speakers, or a
headset that does both. Second, you can actually still use an old phone you
have lying around your house to make an internet phone call with the help of a
VoIP adapter that hooks up to a broadband connection. A third option, (mainly
for businesses that have multiple incoming/outgoing calls) is to buy a special
VoIP phone that is just like many other businesses phones but it plugs directly
into a broadband connection. It has all sorts of special features right on the
user interface so that you can easily answer and transfer calls multiple phone
calls. Picking the option that best suits you depends on what your intended use
is.
The
Need for Networks
The main component
of all of these options, the backbone as so to speak, is the network. Without
the network that connects all of us to one another, none of this is possible.
Therefore, development of a network that is sophisticated enough to meet the
demands of modern communication is a necessity. In addition, having all of the
necessary networking products to stay connected to it is vital. After all that
is said and done, I feel as though VoIP is a great leap in the communications
technology field. Combined with the mobility of a laptop and you basically have
the recipe for a mobile communications powerhouse.
Network
Shortcomings
Right now wireless
hotspots are limited. For this combination to really develop, wireless
networking must develop. Until your laptop can get connected to the network and
stay connected no matter where you go and what you do, you will not always have
access to phone calls or your data transfer and television communication options.
While you can usually wait to tune in to your favorite TV station or send out
an email, you cannot always wait to make or receive an emergency phone call.
Therefore, in most cases, VoIP and a laptop will always rank second to a cell
phone for speech communication purposes.
Conclusion
When that wireless
network expands and can guarantee connectivity in more places I feel VoIP makes
a name for itself in our society. After all, if you have a laptop already
capable of high speed data transfer that can now allow you to make phone calls
and watch TV; you probably will spend a lot less paying for all three services
individually. Let’s look forward to network development and VoIP to take us
into the future of communications technology.
Veerapagupathy,
Chothavilai Beach,
Thengamputhoor,
Kanyakumari.
call@
Ph: 04652-221337, Mob: 8220099080.
Email: aveholidayhome@gmail.com
Website: www.aveholidayhome.com
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