Old man foretells advent of mobile phones

TECHNOLOGY

Marfuka is a fictional character who enjoys a good yarn. He tells stories that capture his life from when he could remember as a small boy to his adult life now closing in on the 60s. There is a twist though as some of these accounts can be tweaked as he juggles reality and his own imagination on what life should be. 

THE phone rings. The ring tone can be heard.
Which is why everybody in the room has turned their focus from the speaker in the room to where the sound is coming from. There are different kind of looks coming from each individual in the room. Most are curious whose phone it is.
They have been distracted by the sound. This includes the speaker. He is visibly annoyed. Momentarily. But still he was.
Although he has done his best not to be distracted by the ring tone, the almost spontaneous reaction of everyone in the room, to turn to where the sound of the phone came from – also didn’t miss him.
He quickly regained his composure and returned to his speech. He is a professional speaker. It is a public occasion so he has either prepared a speech for himself or going over one put together for him.
The tact with which he is delivering the speech is a skill in itself. The speech was a guide and from time to time he refers to it. It is a glance of his eyes, if you follow them closely, come off the speech or notes and return to the audience to maintain that contact with those in the room. It is obvious he has familiarised himself with the speech.
There is a public address (PA) system set up for the occasion. The PA address system team has done a great job. They are seated away from the participants and in control of the sound system. They adjust the microphone based on the quality of the audio.
There are a couple of speakers. It is an interactive session. Wireless microphones attached to the main system will be used later, passed on to those who would like to ask questions or make statements.
That session is yet to come. For now, the keynote speaker’s attention is disrupted by the phone ringing. The owner of the phone is in a state of panic. He has reminded himself so many times to check the status of his phone before he attended public gatherings. It is advisable to put it in the silent mode when entering meetings or public gatherings.
Vibration mode is an option. But if the volume of the mobile phone is high the sound of the vibration can be distractive especially for those sitting next to the owner of the gadget. In this case a silent mode becomes the best option to use.

Awkward situation
Marfuka is trying to put himself into that person’s shoes, trying to figure out what is going through his mind. He recalls the time when he was in a similar awkward situation because of the loud ring of his phone. In his haste to reduce the volume of the ring tone – he dropped the phone. Luckily it had a protective screen and the leather-like cover cushioned the impact as it hit the floor.
Marfuka now always has his phone on silent mode but regularly checks it depending on where he is. There are places in Port Moresby city where it is smart practice to keep your smartphone out of sight.
Smartphones are not cheap gadgets. They don’t come with these features when one buys them. The additional cost is a precautionary sacrifice one makes on their budget. Costs vary based on the quality of the additional features added to the phone.
The owner of the phone which rang is frantically trying to put their phone into silent mode. But with all the attention now on him – he is in panic mode.
Several things are all happening at the same time. The options are there. What he eventually decides to do is his choice.
He can switch the phone off. That is in a way hanging up on the caller. Even in his haste and the panic mode – he had to quickly look at the screen of the phone. If it is a recorded number – the name of the person would flash on the screen. If it is an unsaved number or an unknown number, the caller’s identification won’t show.
The next option is to switch the phone to vibrate mode. You cannot hear the ring tone but the vibration can be distractive as well. During the state of panic on what action to take the owners mind is also in ‘overdrive”. He has seen caller’s ID – he must make the right choice on what he decides to do.
The repercussions of what chose he makes can be quite ‘severe’ based on which call he had not taken. We’ll leave that topic for individuals to work out themselves. There is no relevant advice we can share with you. Every individual is different and the relationship the caller and the owner of the phone determines what kind of action is the best choice.
Smartphones have certain features to solve some of these situations. The owner knows how to use his or her phone. Quick text messages can be sent to the caller if the phone is set to this mode.

Smartphone use
Here is a brief on smartphone, using the gadget itself to research on internet and provide our valued readers the following.
In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, smartphones have emerged as indispensable companions, transforming the way we communicate, work, and navigate the complexities of modern life. These handheld devices, equipped with a myriad of features, have become an integral part of our daily existence, seamlessly integrating into our routines and shaping the way we connect with the world.
At its core, a smartphone is a multifunctional electronic device that combines the functionality of a mobile phone with advanced computing capabilities. Unlike traditional mobile phones that were primarily designed for voice communication, smartphones offer a diverse range of applications and services that go beyond mere calls and texts.
One of the defining features of smartphones is their ability to connect to the internet, enabling users to access a vast sea of information and services at their fingertips. This connectivity empowers individuals to stay informed, entertained, and engaged with the global community. From social media platforms that foster virtual connections to news apps that deliver real-time information, smartphones have become portals to the digital realm.
The evolution of smartphones has been marked by continuous innovation in hardware and software. High-resolution touchscreens, powerful processors, and sophisticated cameras are just a few examples of the cutting-edge technology packed into these compact devices. The development of operating systems like iOS and Android has further expanded the capabilities of smartphones, providing a platform for the creation and distribution of countless applications catering to a wide array of interests and needs.
Beyond communication and entertainment, smartphones have revolutionized productivity and efficiency. Mobile applications tailored for productivity, time management, and collaboration have transformed the way we work, allowing professionals to stay connected and productive on the go. The integration of email, calendars, and cloud services into smartphones has facilitated a seamless blend between work and personal life.
The impact of smartphones extends beyond individual users to societal levels. These devices have played a crucial role in shaping cultural trends, influencing consumer behaviour, and even contributing to political movements through social media activism. The democratisation of information and the ability to share diverse perspectives have made smartphones powerful tools for social change and awareness.
Smartphones represent a marvel of connectivity and innovation that has redefined the way we interact with the world. These pocket-sized devices have transcended their initial purpose as communication tools, evolving into indispensable companions that enhance various aspects of our lives. As technology continues to advance, the role of smartphones is likely to expand further, creating new possibilities and reshaping the way we experience and navigate the complexities of the digital age.
Marfuka then switches to real time and recalls his grandfather, who has passed on.
Marfuka is not afraid to say that the old man had wisdom, intelligence and vision an inexperienced teenager like him didn’t fully realise at that time.
His grandfather didn’t have the privilege of education most Papua New Guineans now have. They were born in the era where World War 2 had made an impact on their lives. He was one of those ‘carriers’ that assisted with Australia’s war efforts against the Japanese invasion of the Pacific.
That is a story for another time.
But this old man’s youngest son, Marfuka’s uncle was attending the University of Technology in the 1970s. Landline telephones were still new in PNG then.
Marfuka lived in a rural center and was spending holidays with his aunty in Port Moresby. The two siblings complete their conversation on the landline and the daughter calls her father to talk with his son. Marfuka’s grand father finishes their conversation and was visibly amazed at how he can talk to his son who is hundreds of kilometres away.
He mumbles words to the effect that “the white men is very clever, we can talk to somebody who is far away through the (telephone) lines”.
Then he utters words that Marfuka never really paid much attention to at that time. In fact Marfuka took it as old age and how it affects people when they get to that stage of their lives.
He said words to the effect: “In the future they (white men) will come up with a telephone where people will be walking around and talking to each other”.
The Motorola DynaTAC 8000X was the first handheld cellular phone that allowed people to make longer distance calls than just a landline phone. It did not require any lines or codes to be attached to make a call. The first ever cellular phone call was made in 1973, using this phone, by Dr Martin Cooper.
Grandfather didn’t know this then, nor did Marfuka. Amazing old man indeed, and Marfuka is privileged and honoured to have spent time with his grand father before he passed on.