Diffusion of Innovations

People who are interested in trying new technologies and establishing their utility in society "Everett Rogers argues that diffusion is the process by which an innovation is communicated thorough certain channels over time among the participants in a social system." Diffusion of Innovations - Wikipedia. Diffusion of Innovations is a hypothesis that aims to explain how, why, and how quickly new concepts and innovations develop.

A diagram I made

Now, a fascinating piece of technology is the smartphone. So, lets study it through the diffusion of innovations theory!

Why did smartphones catch on and spread?

    The smartphone is a useful piece of technology that combines multiple functions into a single device: that being calling, texting, internet browsing, and app of all sorts. This convergence of features made the smartphone highly attractive and convenient for users, leading to widespread adoption. 

Now that leads to the question: why did so many people become early adopters of the smartphone? 

    Early adopters are most often technologically savvy individuals (or nerds) who are eager to try out new innovations on the market. Or "people who are interested in trying new technologies and establishing their utility in society" - Investopedia - Diffusions of Innovations Theory For smartphones, early adopters most likely saw the potential that these devices had: increased connectivity, productivity, and even entertainment. 

Going back to the theory, why are some people late adopters, or not even adopters at all?

   It is highly likely that late adopters may be more cautious or resistant to change. They may prefer to stick with familiar technology, or simply be waiting until the price drops and the technology becomes more refined. Some people may even choose not to adopt smartphones due to concerns about privacy, security, or simply a preference for simpler devices. Although... how private are they really? Check out some of my other posts. 

What about the downsides to smartphones and their technology?

    Smartphones most definitely have downsides. Not only do they track your location, and other types of privacy, they have brought up concerns regarding addiction, distraction, and decreased face-to-face social interaction. They also contribute to issues like sleep disruption, cyberbullying, and information overload. While they might be very helpful, they are also rather harmful. So be careful with them.