fun facts about phones
Phones have become an indispensable part of our daily lives. From making calls and sending text messages to browsing the internet and playing games, we rely on our phones for almost everything. But have you ever stopped to think about the fascinating history and fun facts behind these devices? In this article, we’ll explore some interesting facts about phones that will surprise and entertain you.
1. The world’s first phone call was made in 1876
On March 10, 1876, Alexander Graham Bell made the world’s first telephone call to his assistant, Thomas Watson. The call was made from one room to another in Bell’s Boston laboratory, and the words spoken were, “Mr. Watson, come here, I want to see you.” This historic moment marked the beginning of a new era in communication.
2. The first mobile phone weighed almost 2 pounds
The first mobile phone, known as the Motorola DynaTAC 8000X, was released in 1983. It weighed a whopping 2 pounds and had a battery life of only 30 minutes. This phone was a luxury item, with a price tag of $3,995. Today, we can’t imagine carrying such a heavy and expensive phone in our pockets.
3. The first text message was sent in 1992
In 1992, Neil Papworth, a 22-year-old engineer, sent the first text message from his computer to a mobile phone. The message read, “Merry Christmas.” It was sent to Richard Jarvis, the director of Vodafone, a British mobile network. This momentous event paved the way for the popularity of texting as a means of communication.
4. Nokia was once the world’s largest manufacturer of phones
For over a decade, Nokia held the title of the world’s largest manufacturer of mobile phones. In 2007, they had a market share of 40%. However, with the rise of smartphones, Nokia’s market share declined, and in 2012, they were overtaken by Samsung as the world’s largest phone manufacturer.
5. The first camera phone was released in 2000
The first camera phone, the J-SH04, was released by Sharp Corporation in Japan in 2000. It had a resolution of 0.11 megapixels and could only store up to 20 pictures. Today, the latest smartphones have cameras with resolutions of over 100 megapixels and can store thousands of photos.
6. The average person spends 3 hours a day on their phone
According to a 2019 study, the average person spends 3 hours and 15 minutes a day on their phone. This amounts to over 1,200 hours a year, which is equivalent to 50 days. With the increasing use of smartphones, this number is expected to rise in the coming years.
7. Apple’s iPhone was almost named “Telepod”
Before the launch of the iPhone in 2007, Apple had considered naming it “Telepod.” However, they eventually settled on the name “iPhone” as it was a combination of the words internet and phone. Today, the iPhone is one of the most popular and iconic smartphones in the world.
8. The world’s most expensive phone costs over $48 million
The Falcon Supernova iPhone 6 Pink Diamond is the world’s most expensive phone, with a price tag of over $48 million. This luxurious phone is made of 24-carat gold and has a pink diamond on the back. Only two of these phones have been made, and they are owned by wealthy individuals from Russia and China.
9. The first smartphone was released in 1993
Although the term “smartphone” was not used until 1997, the first device that can be classified as a smartphone was the IBM Simon, released in 1993. It had a touch screen, email capabilities, and could also make phone calls. However, it was not a commercial success, and only 50,000 units were sold.
10. Over 5 billion people have mobile phones
According to a 2019 report by GSMA Intelligence, there are over 5 billion unique mobile subscribers in the world. This means that over 65% of the world’s population has a mobile phone. This number is expected to increase in the coming years as more people in developing countries gain access to affordable smartphones.
11. The concept of a touchscreen phone was first patented in 1975
The idea of a touchscreen phone was first patented in 1975 by George Safford Parker. However, it wasn’t until 1992 that IBM released the first smartphone with a touchscreen, the Simon Personal Communicator. Today, touchscreen phones are the norm, and we can’t imagine going back to physical keyboards.
12. The first phone with a built-in MP3 player was released in 2000
The Samsung SPH-M100, released in 2000, was the first phone to have a built-in MP3 player. It could store up to 64 megabytes of music, which was equivalent to about 10 songs. Today, our smartphones can hold thousands of songs, and streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music have revolutionized the way we listen to music on our phones.
13. The first phone with a color screen was released in 1997
The Ericsson R320, released in 1997, was the first phone to have a color screen. It could display up to four colors and cost over $1,000. Today, we take color screens for granted as almost all phones have them, and we can’t imagine using a phone with a black and white screen.
14. The ringback tone was invented in 1998
Before the popularity of smartphones and personalized ringtones, we had ringback tones. These were songs that played instead of the traditional ringing sound when someone called you. The ringback tone was invented by a company called Yonder Music in 1998 and was popular for a brief period before being replaced by personalized ringtones.
15. The first phone with a built-in camera was released in 2000
The Sharp J-SH04, released in 2000, was not only the first phone with a camera, but it also had the first color screen. This phone revolutionized the way we take photos and paved the way for the popularity of camera phones. Today, cameras are one of the key features that consumers look for when buying a new phone.
16. The first phone with a built-in GPS was released in 1999
The Benefon Esc! was the first phone to have a built-in GPS, released in 1999. However, it wasn’t until the launch of the iPhone in 2007 that GPS became a standard feature on smartphones. Today, we use GPS on our phones for navigation, tracking fitness activities, and even playing location-based games like Pokemon Go .
17. The first phone with a curved display was released in 2014
The LG G Flex, released in 2014, was the first phone to have a curved display. This innovation was meant to improve the user’s grip and reduce screen glare. However, it was not widely adopted, and today, only a few phone models have curved displays.
18. The first phone with a fingerprint scanner was released in 2013
The Motorola Atrix 4G, released in 2013, was the first phone to have a fingerprint scanner. However, it was not widely adopted until the launch of the iPhone 5S in 2013. Today, fingerprint scanners are a standard feature on most smartphones, and they have been replaced by more advanced facial recognition technology on some models.
19. The first phone with a flexible display was released in 2013
The Samsung Galaxy Round, released in 2013, was the world’s first phone with a flexible display. This phone featured a 5.7-inch curved screen and was marketed as a new era in smartphone design. However, it was not a commercial success, and today, flexible displays are still not widely used in the smartphone industry.
20. The first phone with a foldable display was released in 2019
In 2019, Samsung released the Galaxy Fold, the world’s first phone with a foldable display. This phone could be opened up to reveal a 7.3-inch tablet-like screen. However, it was plagued by durability issues, and the release was delayed until 2020. Today, foldable phones are still a niche market, but they are gaining popularity among tech enthusiasts.
In conclusion, phones have come a long way since the first telephone call was made in 1876. From simple devices that could only make calls to powerful smartphones that can do almost anything, the evolution of phones has been remarkable. With new technologies constantly being introduced, who knows what the future holds for these devices? One thing is for sure, phones will continue to play a crucial role in our lives, and we can’t imagine living without them.
is kik secure
Kik is a messaging app that has gained immense popularity in recent years, especially among teenagers and young adults. It was launched in 2010 and has since then amassed over 300 million users worldwide. However, with the growing concerns about online safety and privacy, many people have started questioning the security of Kik. In this article, we will delve deep into the security features of Kik and answer the question, “Is Kik secure?”
To understand the level of security provided by Kik, it is essential to first understand how the app works. Kik is a messaging app that allows users to send and receive text messages, photos, videos, and other multimedia content. Users can sign up on Kik using their email address or phone number and create a unique username. This feature of Kik allows users to maintain their privacy as they do not have to share their personal information with others.
One of the primary concerns regarding the security of Kik is the protection of user data. Kik collects data from its users, such as username, password, email address, and phone number. This information is used to create and maintain user accounts and to provide personalized features to users. However, Kik assures its users that this data is encrypted and stored securely on their servers. They also have strict policies in place to prevent any unauthorized access to user data.
Another aspect of Kik’s security is the protection of user conversations. All messages and media shared on the app are encrypted, which means that they are converted into code to prevent anyone from intercepting and reading them. Kik uses a combination of 2048-bit RSA encryption and 256-bit AES encryption to ensure the security of its users’ conversations. This level of encryption is considered to be highly secure and is used by many other messaging apps, including WhatsApp and iMessage.
Kik has also implemented various safety features to protect its users. One of these features is the ability to block and report users. If a user receives any inappropriate or unwanted messages, they can block the sender and report them to Kik. The app also has a team of moderators who monitor the app for any suspicious or inappropriate activities. This team also responds to reports from users and takes necessary actions to maintain the safety of the platform.
Another significant aspect of Kik’s security is the option to have a private chat. In a private chat, users can only communicate with people they have added as friends. This feature allows users to have more control over who they communicate with and who can see their messages. Additionally, Kik offers a feature called “Ignore New People” that prevents users from receiving messages from people they do not know. These features work together to ensure that users have a safe and secure experience on the app.
Kik also has a feature called “Safety Center,” which provides users with information and resources on how to stay safe while using the app. It covers topics such as privacy, cyberbullying, and online predators. The Safety Center also allows users to report any concerns or issues they have encountered while using the app. This feature shows Kik’s commitment to promoting a safe and secure environment for its users.
One of the significant concerns regarding the security of Kik is the possibility of strangers contacting and communicating with minors. This concern is valid, as Kik is a popular app among teenagers, and they are more vulnerable to online predators. However, Kik has introduced a feature called “Kik Code” that allows users to add friends by scanning a QR code. This feature eliminates the need to share usernames and makes it difficult for strangers to contact minors.
Furthermore, Kik has implemented age restrictions to prevent minors from accessing the app. When a user signs up for Kik, they are required to enter their date of birth. If the user is under the age of 13, they are not allowed to create an account. This feature is in line with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and shows Kik’s commitment to protecting children’s privacy.
While Kik has introduced several security features, it is not immune to security breaches. In 2014, a group of hackers managed to access the personal information of over 50 million Kik users, including usernames, email addresses, and passwords. However, Kik responded immediately and took necessary steps to secure the platform. They also encouraged their users to change their passwords and emphasized the importance of strong and unique passwords.
To further enhance the security of its users, Kik has introduced a two-factor authentication (2FA) feature. With 2FA, users are required to enter a unique code sent to their phone number or email address when logging into their account from a new device. This feature adds an extra layer of security and prevents unauthorized access to user accounts.
In conclusion, Kik has implemented several security features to ensure the safety and privacy of its users. The app uses strong encryption to protect user data and conversations, has a team of moderators to monitor the platform, and provides users with resources to stay safe while using the app. However, like any other app, Kik is not entirely immune to security breaches. It is essential for users to adhere to safety measures, such as not sharing personal information with strangers and reporting any suspicious activities. With the right precautions, Kik can be a secure and enjoyable platform for communication.