Are Landline Phones Becoming Extinct?
When Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone in 1876, I'm sure he would have never guessed how technologically advanced his creation would reach. Today, smart phones or even basic cell phones have seemingly taken precedence over the landline phones that were such a marvel in the late 1800's.
In 1973, Martin Cooper, the general manager for Motorola at the time, placed the first cell phone call while walking down the streets of New York City. After ten years, Motorola introduced their first 'portable phone' that weighed 16 ounces and had a cost of about $3,500. After that monumental advancement, cell phone usage continued to grow throughout the 80's and 90's and increasingly became smaller, more user friendly, and provided better service.
Smart phones arrived on the scene with IBM's introduction of Simon in 1992. It boasted a touch screen, and several other features, including a clock, calculator, calendar, address book, games, fax feature, and email. Since then, smart phones have become greatly advanced. They can be described as cameras, computers, PDAs, and GPS systems all held in the palm of your hand. With these, you can use the internet or the thousands of apps available to connect with others or just to make your life easier. Smart phones are being developed and improved at lightning speed. Now, cell phone companies are launching 3d phones. No one knows yet what the possibilities are for the future of phone technology.
As cell phones are being used more frequently, land-line phone usage is beginning to become obsolete. In addition, many people are using Skype, which is a software application that allows users to make free calls and video chats to other Skype users. Therefore, some are canceling their home phone service, because it is rarely used. Other people keep their phones in order to take advantage of package deals offered by Verizon and other cell phone or home phone providers. These usually include land-line phone, internet, and digital TV service.
As technology is surging into the future, Alexander Graham Bell's remarkable invention is being continually transformed to provide means of communication and entertainment to people around the world. Will land-line phones become extinct someday? No one is sure, but its declined usage and comparative lack of features tends to sound out an unquestionable yes.
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Will Land-Line Phones Become Extinct?
Comments
Interesting hub, no, land lines will not fully become extinct because you are forgetting the security aspect of land lines. Any cell phone conversation can get tapped via digital transmission, a land line takes work to locate it and physically tap it. All Government hard lines are secured for this purpose. I strongly believe the powerful will keep their land lines for obvious purposes. Cheers.
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It sounds like you're right; good point. Thanks for reading and sharing your insight!
One thing I like about landlines - I don't hear them ringing when I'm away from home! I know I'm old fashioned, but I have limited the number of people I give my cell number to for this very reason. But the next generation doesn't think that way, so I think there will be far fewer landlines in the years to come. Love your pictures and videos - what a fun blast from the past! (My dad had one of those big "portable" phones in a bag that he carried to his work sites!)
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I like your view on things! Sounds like a more peaceful life then most have today. Thanks, I enjoyed discovering these videos as well. That's amusing; my family had a similar car phone as well in the 90's.
i agree, this is so true
well for me it is anyways
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It's true for my family as well. We really don't use our land-line a whole lot, but for some reason we still have it. Thanks for commenting!
Often the landline 'phone bill and the internet bill is with the same company. So I guess the company has a vested interest in keeping landlines in business.
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This is very true. Sometimes I wonder if they would be around if not for these bundle deals.
I'm not one for excessive regulation. But in the sense that some tied deals are, or can be, anti-competitive, it's something to bear in mind.
(The much ridiculed - maybe unfairly - Dan Quayle did have a point when he was in charge of the President's Council on Competitiveness, I think.)
Blessings.
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I think that many people these days are open to various things if it means they can save some money. This is very true for my family at least.
I don't know much about him, but thanks for adding your knowledge.
We still have a land line at our house, and it still gets used quite a lot. It is not on a phone line, however, it is on our cable internet company's line. I suppose that is still a land line.
Voted up and interesting.
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Phil Plasma: Thanks for commenting! I guess that would still be considered a land line. We don't use ours much. In fact, it's quite annoying that most of the calls we receive on it are recordings or businesses. Maybe someday we'll just use our cell phones. Thank you for voting. :)
Yes, most will become extinct. People are tired of paying 2 or 3 phone bills.
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privateye2500: I agree. It makes sense to only use one's cell phone as opposed to paying for two phones. Thanks for sharing!
I know so many people who no longer have landlines. If I were living on my own, I don't think I would have one as I have better phone rates on my mobile. Although I must admit, I do hate that most people know my mobile number and not my landline. My phone is always with me, so Ii'm not really a fan of being contactable 24/7, but I guess that's what the silence button is for!
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WebsiteConfetti: You make some good points. It would be more economical for my family if we only had cell phones, but I agree with you; I'm not sure I would want 'everyone' to have my cell phone number. Yes, the silence button would be quite useful! Thanks for commenting. :)
Ever since Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone it has been evolving. I do believe that the days are numbered for wired landline. Advanced technology with data speed and integration of features with smart phones is definitely creating new opportunities and we have yet to discover what more will come. Communications will evolve over to our television sets. And smart phones will simply be a component of television. What comes after that is anybody's guess.
No I don't think it'll go extinct. Let's not forget that these landline phones are our access to what we have gone and created today. Let's forget where we come from. http://www.cpr-tampabay.com
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Glenn Stok: Those are some valid points. Thanks for sharing your insight!
Arriana Jane Calderon: It's definitely provided a great foundation for communication. I guess we'll never know if they will last; only time will tell. Thanks for commenting!
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