The Role Of Mobile

By Candy U Man Kit, Marisa Chou Kam Ha and Yammy Cheong Teng Ian

“A purse, keys and the most important thing – my mobile phone,” one of the post-80s said while rushing out for his work.

A mobile phone is a necessity for most of the post-80s in their everyday lives. Nowadays, the mobile is not only for communication, it has many other functions. For example, downloading songs and videos, surfing on the Internet or even using it as a map. The mobile has become an entertainment device rather than just for communication.

Claudia Ngan, a Year 4 student majoring in Psychology said, “I often use the mobile to download songs and videos. Besides, I love to download games via the Internet.” As the mobile is small in size and convenient to carry around, it can be used at any time and in any place. Aside from that, Ngan expressed that she also got used to using the mobile to communicate with her friends via Facebook and Messenger (MSN). “When my mobile is not with me, I would feel that I lose my sense of security, because I feel being shut out from the world,” said Ngan. Moreover, Facebook and MSN have many appended functions, such as online games and psychological tests which give her more entertainment during her spare time. Therefore, Ngan thinks that for most of the post-80s, the mobile is not only a tool for communication; it has been transformed into an entertainment device.

Aside from entertainment, the mobile assists people greatly in their work. In order to be competitive in job markets, it is important for people to keep a close contact with their customers. Therefore, the mobile becomes an important channel for them to maintain communication.

“As an accounting manager, I need to have a close contact with my clients and colleagues. As a result, I have to check email frequently, in this aspect the mobile phone helps me a lot,” said Brian Manuel who works in the I.T. industry. Aside from working in the office, Manuel needs to work outdoors in order to find his new customers. Therefore, he needs to go to different places. However, it is inconvenient to bring the computer with him and the mobile provides him a convenient channel to keep a close contact with his customers. Manuel expressed that when he receives an urgent request for a quotation from his clients, it is convenient for him to send email to his clients through the mobile.

Manuel said, “Compared with the mobile before which could only be used for making and receiving calls, nowadays, the mobile has many other extra functions, such as the third generation mobile (3G), voice message, multimedia messaging service (MMS), Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and Global Positioning System (GPS).” Due to the improvement of technology, Manuel feels that with all these new functions, the mobile has made his life more convenient and vivid.

“I love travelling either by myself or with my friends. GPS is a new function in the mobile which has become a widely used aid in worldwide navigation and is a useful tool for map-making,” said Tiago Hong, a student in Escola Superior das Forcas de Seguranca de Macau (ESFSM). Hong said that the GPS provides reliable positioning, so that we can know our location clearly and get to our destination faster. Besides from GPS, 3G is another function Hong often uses when he is on a journey. “I prefer to use 3G to communicate, because it is more realistic as I can see the visual images. Therefore, 3G makes the interaction between my family and me more vivid,” said Hong.

The mobile plays an important role in everyday life; it enables people to get the most current information and news. Rainko Choi, a dealer in Lan Kwai Fong casino said, “The most important function in the mobile is to get online, because it gives me the most current and worldwide information. Therefore, it is easier for me to make the best decision and to be a smart consumer.” Choi said while she is shopping, the mobile is the best device for her to compare prices via the Internet. Choi said, “I love going to concerts. In order to buy tickets in advance, the mobile provides me a more convenient and faster channel.” Moreover, Choi said that she prefers to watch news online rather than read newspapers, as online news is more updated and instantaneous.

For most of the post-80s, they seek for a materialistic life. Compared with the older generations who are satisfied with basic necessities and their present situation, the post-80s always follow the latest development in mobile phones. In this technological age, communication and technology are co-related. Therefore, the mobile is inseparable in their everyday life.

Caroline Iau, a clerk who works in a Macau 24-Hour Travel Agency said, “I always keep an eye on the new models of mobile phones and their advanced functions. As the online connection is the most important function in the mobile, nowadays communication depends mainly on the Internet. Through the Internet, I can communicate with different people in different places at the same time. Therefore, I think that the development of technology helps to improve the methods and styles of communication.”