--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We think of them as mobile phones, but…" description: "\"We think of them as mobile phones, but the personal computer, mobile phone and the Internet are merging into some new medium like the personal computer..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d07/howard-rheingold-2794_computer_we-think-of-them-as-mobile-phones-but-th_2226376.png" --- # We think of them as mobile phones, but the personal… ![“We think of them as mobile phones, but the personal computer, mobile phone and the Internet are merging into some new medium like the personal computer in the 1980s or the Internet in the 1990s.” quote by Howard Rheingold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d07/howard-rheingold-2794_computer_we-think-of-them-as-mobile-phones-but-th_2226376.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d07/howard-rheingold-2794_computer_we-think-of-them-as-mobile-phones-but-th_2226376.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d07/howard-rheingold-2794_computer_we-think-of-them-as-mobile-phones-but-th_2226376.png) > “We think of them as mobile phones, but the personal computer, mobile phone and the Internet are merging into some new medium like the personal computer in the 1980s or the Internet in the 1990s.” [Howard Rheingold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-rheingold/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He predicts the convergence of computers, phones, and the internet into a new unified medium, similar to past tech revolutions **In simple terms:** Tech devices are merging into a single, powerful platform Key Takeaway Embrace the emerging integrated medium Themes technology convergence future trends Mood thoughtful anticipatory Type analytical speculative When to use this quote - business strategy - education - communication - media production Key Concepts Digital integration network effects media evolution Questions to Reflect On - What new possibilities does this convergence create? - How can societies ensure equitable access to the new medium? A Different Perspective The transition may be uneven and access unequal ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Computer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/computer/) [Computers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/computers/) [Internet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/internet/) [Mobile Phone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mobile-phone/) [Mobile phones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mobile-phones/) [Personal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/personal/) [Phones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/phones/) [Technology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/technology/) ## Related quotes > [Inexpensive phones and pay-as-you go services are already spreading mobile phone technology to many parts of that world that never had a wired infrastructure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-rheingold/inexpensive-phones-and-pay-as-you-go-services-are-already-spreading/) [Howard Rheingold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-rheingold/) > [Mobile phones amplify human talents for cooperation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-rheingold/mobile-phones-amplify-human-talents-for-cooperation/) [Howard Rheingold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-rheingold/) > [The two parts of technology that lower the threshold for activism and technology is the Internet and the mobile phone. Anyone who has a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-rheingold/the-two-parts-of-technology-that-lower-the-threshold-for-activism-and/) [Howard Rheingold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-rheingold/) > [Back in the 1980s, when the internet was only available to a small number of pioneers, I was often confronted by people who feared…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaron-lanier/back-in-the-1980s-when-the-internet-was-only-available-to-a-small/) [Jaron Lanier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaron-lanier/) > [“By contrast, young people are spending more time on their phones. A new generation is emerging that considers their phones to be their personal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-scoble/by-contrast-young-people-are-spending-more-time-on-their-phones-a-new/) [Robert Scoble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-scoble/) > [“Remember when only a few people had mobile phones. Generally regarded as an object of derision, you would occasionally see business types clutching those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-pegg/remember-when-only-a-few-people-had-mobile-phones-generally-regarded/) [Simon Pegg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-pegg/) > [“One thing about the advent of mobile phones, she reflected, They make loitering around appear so much more authentic. She”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-leadbeater/one-thing-about-the-advent-of-mobile-phones-she-reflected-they-make/) [David Leadbeater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-leadbeater/) > [I used to go out wearing any old rubbish, no make-up, nothing, but since mobile phones, that has all had to stop. People do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joanna-lumley/i-used-to-go-out-wearing-any-old-rubbish-no-make-up-nothing-but-since/) [Joanna Lumley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joanna-lumley/) > [In Africa it's difficult to carry the money, it's difficult to have a banking system with tellers, with distribution of cash. So they are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurice-levy/in-africa-it-s-difficult-to-carry-the-money-it-s-difficult-to-have-a/) [Maurice Levy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurice-levy/) > [Have I got a black book? Yes, it's called a mobile phone. I do get offers. There is no shortage of people if you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-cowell/have-i-got-a-black-book-yes-it-s-called-a-mobile-phone-i-do-get/) [Simon Cowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-cowell/) > [Sending a message on a mobile phone is not the most natural of ways to communicate. The keypad isn't linguistically sensible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-crystal/sending-a-message-on-a-mobile-phone-is-not-the-most-natural-of-ways/) [David Crystal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-crystal/) > [I don't have a Facebook page. I don't use Twitter. I don't give anyone a lot to grab onto. Sometimes, I even take out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-suarez/i-don-t-have-a-facebook-page-i-don-t-use-twitter-i-don-t-give-anyone/) [Daniel Suarez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-suarez/) > [Outside the classroom, the use of mobile phones distracts from healthy exercise and good old-fashioned play.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gavin-williamson/outside-the-classroom-the-use-of-mobile-phones-distracts-from-healthy/) [Gavin Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gavin-williamson/) > [Many students don't really like it (fashion). If they don't like it, they won't be able to tell you who the stylists are or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-wilson/many-students-don-t-really-like-it-fashion-if-they-don-t-like-it-they/) [Louise Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-wilson/) > [Our mobile phones have become the greatest spy on the planet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mcafee/our-mobile-phones-have-become-the-greatest-spy-on-the-planet/) [John McAfee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mcafee/) ## More by Howard Rheingold > [Attention is a limited resource, so pay attention to where you pay attention.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-rheingold/attention-is-a-limited-resource-so-pay-attention-to-where-you-pay/) [Howard Rheingold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-rheingold/) > [What person doesn't search online about their disease after they are diagnosed?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-rheingold/what-person-doesn-t-search-online-about-their-disease-after-they-are/) [Howard Rheingold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-rheingold/) > [You can't pick up the telephone and say, 'Connect me with someone else who has a kid with leukemia.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-rheingold/you-can-t-pick-up-the-telephone-and-say-connect-me-with-someone-else/) [Howard Rheingold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-rheingold/) > [We like technology because we don't have to talk to anybody.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-rheingold/we-like-technology-because-we-don-t-have-to-talk-to-anybody/) [Howard Rheingold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-rheingold/) > [Attention is the fundamental instrument we use for learning, thinking, communicating, deciding, yet neither parents nor schools spend any time helping young people learn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-rheingold/attention-is-the-fundamental-instrument-we-use-for-learning-thinking/) [Howard Rheingold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-rheingold/) > [One thing we didn't know in 1996 is that it's very, very difficult, if not impossible, to sustain a culture with online advertising.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-rheingold/one-thing-we-didn-t-know-in-1996-is-that-it-s-very-very-difficult-if/) [Howard Rheingold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-rheingold/) > [Any virtual community that works, works because people put in some time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-rheingold/any-virtual-community-that-works-works-because-people-put-in-some-time/) [Howard Rheingold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-rheingold/) > [There actually are buildings that existed in cyberspace before they built it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-rheingold/there-actually-are-buildings-that-existed-in-cyberspace-before-they/) [Howard Rheingold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-rheingold/) > [The world is restructuring, and all of the enemies that used to exist are kind of gone, so now they are looking out for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-rheingold/the-world-is-restructuring-and-all-of-the-enemies-that-used-to-exist/) [Howard Rheingold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-rheingold/) > [Kerouac was this kid who exemplified something happening.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-rheingold/kerouac-was-this-kid-who-exemplified-something-happening/) [Howard Rheingold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-rheingold/) > [Of course, with agriculture came the first big civilizations, the first cities built of mud and brick, the first empires. And it was the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-rheingold/of-course-with-agriculture-came-the-first-big-civilizations-the-first/) [Howard Rheingold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-rheingold/) > [Its not a global village, but we're in a highly interconnected globe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-rheingold/its-not-a-global-village-but-we-re-in-a-highly-interconnected-globe/) [Howard Rheingold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-rheingold/) > [People's behavior will change with technology. I know very few young people who can't type out a text message on their phone with one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-rheingold/people-s-behavior-will-change-with-technology-i-know-very-few-young/) [Howard Rheingold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-rheingold/) > [I'm somebody who seems to stumble into things 10 or 20 years before the rest of the world does.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-rheingold/i-m-somebody-who-seems-to-stumble-into-things-10-or-20-years-before/) [Howard Rheingold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-rheingold/) > [There are always a few people who are hyper-normal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-rheingold/there-are-always-a-few-people-who-are-hyper-normal/) [Howard Rheingold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-rheingold/) [Explore all 150 Howard Rheingold quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-rheingold/) ## More Computer quotes > [Issac:"I dislike living in a world without Augustus Waters." Computer: "I don't understand-" Issac: "Me neither. Pause](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/issac-i-dislike-living-in-a-world-without-augustus-waters-computer-i/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [If you stood me in a costume next to a computer graphic of the same-looking character, I think there would be a difference. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warwick-davis/if-you-stood-me-in-a-costume-next-to-a-computer-graphic-of-the-same/) [Warwick Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warwick-davis/) > [The display is the computer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jen-hsun-huang/the-display-is-the-computer/) Jen-Hsun Huang > [It's interesting that the greatest minds of computer science, the founding fathers, like Alan Turing and Claude Shannon and Norbert Wiener, they all looked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garry-kasparov/it-s-interesting-that-the-greatest-minds-of-computer-science-the/) [Garry Kasparov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garry-kasparov/) > [One of our big goals in search is to make search that really understands exactly what you want, understands everything in the world. As…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-page/one-of-our-big-goals-in-search-is-to-make-search-that-really/) [Larry Page](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-page/) > [We are beginning to see intimations of this in the implantation of computer devices into the human body.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-kurzweil/we-are-beginning-to-see-intimations-of-this-in-the-implantation-of/) [Ray Kurzweil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-kurzweil/) > [I'm from the South, so I'm very old-fashioned and I'm not very computer savvy at all, but I'm getting it. I understand that, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angie-harmon/i-m-from-the-south-so-i-m-very-old-fashioned-and-i-m-not-very/) [Angie Harmon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angie-harmon/) > [“To all the secret writers, late-night painters, would-be singers, lapsed and scared artists of every stripe, dig out your paintbrush, or your flute, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shauna-niequist/to-all-the-secret-writers-late-night-painters-would-be-singers-lapsed/) [Shauna Niequist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shauna-niequist/) > [A little bit more than 50% of what you see on screen is handcrafted and the other 50% was about emulating these textures on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-abreu/a-little-bit-more-than-50-of-what-you-see-on-screen-is-handcrafted/) [Alex Abreu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-abreu/) > [Well I'm trying to think what I put in... I think I put in 'why?' to see if I'd confuse the computer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-pilkington/well-i-m-trying-to-think-what-i-put-in-i-think-i-put-in-why-to-see-if/) [Karl Pilkington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-pilkington/) > [Our brains are great at knowing what to forget. We actually have to teach computers to do the same.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-maney/our-brains-are-great-at-knowing-what-to-forget-we-actually-have-to/) [Kevin Maney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-maney/) > [Nor would anybody suspect. If was one thing all people took for granted, was conviction that if you feed honest figures into a computer,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-heinlein/nor-would-anybody-suspect-if-was-one-thing-all-people-took-for/) [Robert A. Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-heinlein/) > [In nine months, a group of children left alone with a computer in any language will reach the same standard as an office secretary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sugata-mitra/in-nine-months-a-group-of-children-left-alone-with-a-computer-in-any/) [Sugata Mitra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sugata-mitra/) > [Why do you do what you do? Why do you dress the way you dress?Why do you do what you do with your time?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-conway/why-do-you-do-what-you-do-why-do-you-dress-the-way-you-dress-why-do/) [Tim Conway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-conway/) > [Yeah, I'm a geek. I read sci-fi and I watch sci-fi films. I love my computer and I love to fix it. I'm a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amber-benson/yeah-i-m-a-geek-i-read-sci-fi-and-i-watch-sci-fi-films-i-love-my/) [Amber Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amber-benson/) [Browse all 3,924 Computer quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/computer/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We think of them as mobile phones, but the personal computer, mobile phone and the Internet are merging into some new medium like the personal computer in the 1980s or the Internet in the 1990s.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Howard Rheingold" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-rheingold/we-think-of-them-as-mobile-phones-but-the-personal-computer-mobile/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Computer" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-rheingold/we-think-of-them-as-mobile-phones-but-the-personal-computer-mobile/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d07/howard-rheingold-2794_computer_we-think-of-them-as-mobile-phones-but-th_2226376.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d07/howard-rheingold-2794_computer_we-think-of-them-as-mobile-phones-but-th_2226376.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d07/howard-rheingold-2794_computer_we-think-of-them-as-mobile-phones-but-th_2226376.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“We think of them as mobile phones, but the personal computer, mobile phone and the Internet are merging into…” — Howard Rheingold", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Howard Rheingold", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-rheingold/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "We think of them as mobile...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-rheingold/we-think-of-them-as-mobile-phones-but-the-personal-computer-mobile/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-rheingold/we-think-of-them-as-mobile-phones-but-the-personal-computer-mobile/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```