Abstract
Trends in technological development show that devices of personal communication and information management are converging and penetrating to new user segments. Therefore, it is a question of interest how the convergence of applications should be managed. This article explores the current use of email and SMS, focussing on the differences in the ways they are used and understood among their users. It is argued that, since the systems are different and have been in use for some time, established practices in using them as well as systems applied to understanding them are different. Based on analysis of interview data, it is conluded that this is the case, and that the future converged systems should not be considered as replacements of the current ones, but rather that the systems need to supplement each other. For example, the need for a “quick and dirty” instant asynchronous media such as SMS seems to remain, and therefore it cannot be replaced simply by implementing email to mobile phones. The need for email and SMS seems to be different, and thus the development should be towards a better understanding of these needs rather than simple “technological” convergence.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
MINTC. Suomen matkapuhelimet ylsivät jälleen ennätykseen: liittymätiheys jo 60 prosenttia. Viestintätiedotteet, Ministry of Transportation and Comunications (Finland) 1999. http://www.mintc.fi/www/ sivut/dokumentit/tiedote/viestinta/ti160499496fin.htm
MINTC. Internet-palvelut. Ministry of Transportation and Communications (Finland) 1999. http://www.mintc.fi/ www/sivut/suomi/telemarkkina/telemarkkina/tilasto/fig33.htm
Alasuutari P. Reseaching culture. Qualitative method and cultural studies. Sage Publications, London, 1995
Berger LP, Luckmann T. Todellisuuden sosiaalinen rakentuminen. Gaudeamus, Helsinki 1994. Originally published as The social construction of reality, 1966
Pinch TJ, Bijker WE. The social construction of facts and artifacts: or how the sociology of science and the sociology of technology might benefit each other. In: Bijker WE, Hughes TP, Pinch TJ (eds) The social construction of technological systems. MIT Press, Cambridge, MA, 1987; 17–50
Burr V. An introduction to social constructionism. Routledge, London. 1995
Nokia. High speed circuit switched data. Nokia's vision for a service platform supporting circuit switched applications. White Paper. Nokia Telecommunications 1998. http:// www.nokia.com/press/background/
Nokia. General packet radio service. Nokia's vision for a service platform supporting packet-switched applications. White Paper. Nokia Telecommunications 1998. http:// www.nokia.com/networks/10/10_2.html
ETSI GSM 03.38. Digital cellular relecommunications system (Phase 2+); slphabets and language specific information (GSM 03.38 version 7.1.0 Release 1998). European Telecommunications Standards Institute, 1998
ETSI GSM 03.40. Digital cellular telecommunications system (Phase 2); technical realization of the Short Message Service (SMS) Point-to-Point (PP) (GSM 03.40 version 7.1.0 Release 1998). European Telecommunications Standards Institute, 1998
Oksman V. Toisen sukupolven matkaviestintä ja sanomalehdet. Tampereen yliopisto, Tiedotusopin laitos, Kuvajournalismin tutkimusyksikkö 1998. http:// www.uta.fi/jourtutkimus/mobiili/report.htm
Sonera. Sonera Doris. http://www.sonera.fi/gsm/doris/ soittoaanet/index.html
Nokia. Picture messaging. http://www.nokia.com/phones/ 3210/new/icons.html
Saanilahti M. Lasten ja nuorten muuttuva mediakulttuuri. Tutkimusraportti 1. University of Tampere, Department of Journalism and Mass Communication. Tampere 1999; Publications, Series B 42/1999
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Koskinen, T. Mobile asynchronous communication: Exploring the potential for converged applications. Personal Technologies 4, 113–122 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01324118
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01324118