Global Unification through Handheld Technology

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Global Unification through Handheld Technology

"Handheld technology: is it the greatest invention since sliced bread?" (Lewis 1). Whether or not these technologies will be remembered as one of the greatest inventions of all time is yet to be determined, but handheld technologies are definitely changing the way people access and work with information. Handheld technologies were first created to help make some of life's current tasks simpler and faster to complete. Two of the main handheld technologies are the Global Positioning System (GPS) and the Personal Data Assistant (PDA). The first thought that spring to one's mind when GPS is mentioned is usually that it is a fast and easy way to find where one is located. Similarly, the first thought with respect to PDA is usually that it is a good way to organize one's appointments and personal information. Those functions are just the beginning, though. There are several other functions that these technologies have begun to serve, some of which may lead to complicated ethical dilemmas.

As was mentioned above, GPS is generally thought of as a device to help one locate one's position. It is found in many cars and is almost becoming a standard feature. It is a handy device if one ever gets lost or needs directions to an unknown location. This functionality is great, but is not what it was invented to do. According to Peter H. Dana, Department of Geography, University of Colorado at Boulder, GPS is a satellite navigation system "funded by and controlled by the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD).

While there are many thousands of civil users of GPS world-wide, the system was designed for and is operated by the U.S. military" (1). It is used by the military to pinpoint the position of ...

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North Central Regional Educational Laboratory. (1997). "Critical Issue: Ensuring Equitable Use of Education Technology." [Online]. http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/methods/technlgy/te400.htm

Santa Clara County Library. "Internet Access." (February 2002). [Online]. http://www.santaclaracountylib.org/aconsent.html

Savino, Lenny. "Ex-Decoder Faces Charge in Espionage Case: FBI Says Military Man Sold Secret Data, Images." San Jose Mercury News. 25 August 2001: 1A.

"Teaching and Learning with Palm Handhelds." (2002). [Online]. http://www.palm.com/education/palmED/

Wong, Nicole C. "Digital Cameras Eliminate Some Leg Work for Parking Police." San Jose Mercury News. 7 January 2002.

*Animated images taken from http://www.animationfactory.com

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