Saturday, August 17, 2013

Digital Footprints

How much energy do you think that smartphone in your pocket uses? Turns out that when you tally up the charging and data usage, it is about 361 kWh a year on average. That is more than a medium refrigerator. That is definitely something to think about when doing all the application development. The mobile industry is not going anywhere so it is good to realize just how much energy the digital economy uses, not just the individual uses. The iPhone is just one reason why the information-communications-technologies (ICT) ecosystem, otherwise known as the digital economy, demands such a large and growing amount of energy. The global ICT system includes everything from smartphones to laptops to digital TVs to — especially — the vast and electron-thirsty computer-server farms that make up the backbone of what we call “the cloud.” At a gas station, for instance, the immediate cost and the smell of petrol is a potent reminder that we’re consuming energy. The digital economy is built on the sensation of seamlessness—but it still comes with a utility bill.

4 comments:

  1. I never realized how much energy we use with the digital age with phone services and gaming.

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  2. Phone services take even more energy with all the applications. VoIP does have hidden costs.

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  3. In the long run, internet phone services are more cost efficient. They enable businesses to connect with clients around the world for a much better cost than land lines.

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  4. Mobile applications are great for any business. The business professionals should consider having professional web development as well.

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