THE MACHINES HAVE RISEN. YOU JUST DON’T KNOW IT YET.

Last month, I talked about how technology has permeated every aspect of our lives. As a proponent of technology being an enabler, I of course welcome this brave, new modern world. But… We’ve all watched enough sci-fi to know that one of these days, humanity will be enslaved by our robot overlords. Some might say that this day has already come to pass.

While we’re looking over our shoulders for that global, extinction-level event such as Judgement Day from the Terminator movie franchise and sentient killer robots to descend from the skies, we fail to see that technology is actually a sneaky bastard and have been using us all along. Think The Matrix instead.

What I’m talking about is the ubiquitous smartphone. Everywhere you go today, you’ll notice people glued to the soft soothing lights of their smartphone screens – reading, viewing, tapping and swiping at whatever our mobile masters ask of us. I too, often partake in this guilty pleasure and think nothing of it.

Never before have there been any one device that could encapsulate an entire existence as the smartphone today can. As we explore new frontiers of mobile developments in this issue of HWM, from smarter cognitive processors to virtual reality to expanded online services, there is a realization that the day is soon approaching that you can truly live off a smartphone alone.

In fact, we probably already do. Social, communication, productivity, entertainment, finance, fitness, travel, retail; name one essential service that your smartphone cannot yet do for you.

It won’t cook your food you say? Well, I’m pretty sure there’s an app for that too. Delivery is just a tap away after all.

The convenience of online, on-demand access to services both local and global has made our world a smaller place. But, who is really the master here?

Blue pill, red pill. It’s just a matter of perspective.