When trying to determine the most influential technological breakthrough of the past decade, there is no shortage of contenders. Artificial intelligence is starting to run the world, virtual reality is conjuring up new ones, and driverless cars are about to hit the road.
But if there is one development that has comprehensively reshaped the way we live our lives, it’s the advent of smartphone applications.
The fact that we now carry hundreds of different specialised software packages around in our pockets every day, each of which has a use in every area of everyday life, is truly revolutionary. Here are the most significant ways that apps have changed our world for the better.
24/7 Information
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While the development of a truly global internet was heralded as the dawn of the information age, it was the proliferation of apps which kicked it into gear. We now have continuous access to every news publication on Earth for free, while social media allows us to track events, developments, and ideas in real-time. While we are just starting to explore the potential social problems that may arise from this constant flow of information, the fact that even the poorest people in society can now feasibly access a planet’s worth of information is truly something worth celebrating.
The End of Boredom
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When was the last time you felt properly bored? Chances are, you can’t even remember. We always have something to occupy ourselves thanks to smartphone apps, with all of the latest entertainment and video games being available on even basic devices. The steadily falling price of data and bandwidth also means that online games are now more accessible than ever before. The average commuter can now transport themselves to Vegas during their trip simply by whipping out their phone and playing casino games like slots at CasinoEuro. This would’ve been inconceivable just a few short years ago.
Fine-tuning Our Lifestyles
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Apps are about more than keeping our minds occupied. They have been used to help us adjust our lifestyles and ensure we are living healthier and longer lives than ever before. You can use apps to put together a tailored exercise regime for you in a nanosecond, learn what nutrients you’re lacking, and find inner peace through meditation exercises designed by psychologists. What’s more, the vast majority of these lifestyle apps are completely free to download and use. There is no excuse for being unfit when we can all access our own personal trainers, dieticians, and wellness gurus via our phones.
Intelligent Assistance
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One aspect that people often don’t consider is how smartphones and applications have fostered independence. The information and sophisticated software at our fingertips mean that we are generally much more capable than ever before. We can instantly translate any foreign language, navigate a strange city’s public transportation network, and learn which events are happening close by, all without having to ask another person for help.
In a nutshell, smartphone applications have rebalanced society to a certain extent. Anyone who can afford a budget smartphone now has access to the kind of information, services, and assistance that only the very wealthiest people enjoyed a couple of decades ago. That is truly extraordinary.