These days, mobile phones (and technology in general) are becoming more a part of our lives than ever before. How many people will admit that they flip out and feel lost  when they forget their phone at home, and that they would rather lose their wallet with all their cards and money than their mobile phone? It’s so strange, yet cool, to see how much things have changed in just the last few years.

People have admitted that these enhancements in technology have affected their lives in both positive and negative ways. In a study by The Sleep Council, they concluded that eight out of ten couples have admitted to using their computer or other device at bedtime. This does not surprise to me at all, but does make me feel a little sad that time that is supposed to be spent with our family and friends is now being shared with some type of device.

I think we have all become accustomed to the idea that we must be connected to the world and everything it has to offer at all times, no matter what.

Some things in my life that have changed with these mobile phone advancements are:

(1) When going out with friends I used to focus just on my time with them. Now, I am checking my phone every 10-15 minutes to make sure I don’t miss an email, a text message, or God forbid, a phone call!

(2) When leaving work, whatever emails I received after hours used to be read and answered the next day. Now, they are read the second I receive them and if urgent, answered then and there. Even if it is 11 PM.

(3) Text messaging has become the new way to communicate with people. Who needs to call everyone to see what they want to do when I can text everyone at once? Quick and easy.

(4) Watching TV at night now consists of me also being on my laptop and text messaging friends. Talk about multi-tasking.

(5) Call waiting used to mean I would just see who was calling and then call them back after I got off the phone. Now, I swap over just to tell the person I will call them right back.

(6) I no longer have a color-coordinated calendar based on clients sitting at my desk. It’s now all on my phone and computer. This is a great invention. Whatever I enter on my computer goes straight to my phone and vice versa.

(7) I can play any game I could possibly think of on my iPhone against people in another location.

(8) Lastly, the design of apps. I used to have to go to who knows how many websites to pay bills, check my football scores and more. Now, it’s all just a touch a way. No log-in, no going through 10 pages just to get to the page I want. Quick and simple.

As marketers, these advancements in technology have allowed us to do things we never thought were possible a few years ago. I love how I can now opt-in to text messages to receive coupons, or companies can create apps tailored specifically for their brand. It makes me wonder what’s next. What is going to be the next mobile marketing tactic that companies will use to draw me in? I am sure this will come sooner rather than later.