How smart is that?

Since 2007 when the iPhone was launched, smartphones have flooded in from every nook and cranny. 

Teens use them for games and accessing social networking sites on the move and adults use them, well, for the same reasons!

Apple and Android phones are currently ruling the mobile market while Blackberry comes in at a distant third, mainly due to its lack of features.

But why this influx of smartphone users? What’s all the ruckus about? Firstly, smartphones have become highly affordable.

With companies like HTC and Samsung, that have released low-end devices to attract a more sizable consumer base, everyone can own a smartphone.

Secondly, these multi-functional devices have become an integral part of our lives — you no longer need a camera, an iPod or a laptop as smartphones help you access the internet, provide GPS support incase you get lost and have superb quality cameras to take pictures with.

“If you have a smartphone, you are set because you have applications, games and music rolled into a single device,” says Adithi Narayanan, a second year student of Christ University.

The various applications on the market have made smartphones even more addictive. A lot of the older generation has accepted using smartphones for business purpose as there are many business specific applications like Fuze, for video conferencing and Google Finance, an application that gives real time news about the stock market. On being asked which application is her favourite, Sana Khuraishi, a final year student, says, “It has to be ‘Whatsapp’ as I don’t get charged for messaging friends outside the city or country. It serves as an alternative to the BlackBerry Messenger.”

Applications like Facebook and Twitter are very popular among smartphone users of all ages. Another well-used application is ‘Shazam’, which helps you identify songs that you like just by listening to a sample of them.

Many Bangaloreans do not know that there are quite a few applications on Google Play (the Android market) specifically for Bangalore. One such application is called ‘Bangalore City Transit’ and contains information on all the buses and routes in Bangalore. It also lets you choose the most convenient route for you.

Another application is ‘Namma Bangalore’ which provides you with the various Metro routes.

But this will only become more useful once the construction of the Metro is complete.
With these devices controlling our lives now, it is uncertain what the future holds for the smartphone community as technology is rapidly evolving.