The Evolution of Mobile Phones: Killing Off the Gadgets of Yesteryear

In the past two decades, the world has undergone a technological revolution that has drastically impacted our daily lives. One of the greatest inventions to come out of this era is the smartphone, which has revolutionized the way we communicate, work, and live our lives. While this technology has brought about numerous benefits, it has also been responsible for the demise of many things we once took for granted. In this article, we will explore 20 things that have been killed by our phones over the past 20 years. From physical social interaction to the need for a physical map, we will examine how society has changed as a result of this ubiquitous technology.


A spin-off of the former Post & Telegraphs company began offering mobile phone services to wealthy and well-connected Irish individuals in the mid-1980s. At the time, it would have seemed absurd to predict that these clunky devices would lead to the virtual obsolescence of things that had been part of society for millennia. These early mobile phones sold by Eircell were unaffordable to many, sometimes weighing three kilos and costing nearly €4,000 in today’s currency. They lacked any modern features and only allowed for making calls, not even allowing for a game of Snake to be played. By the mid-1990s, phones improved slightly in features and size, and many people could afford them thanks to phone packages. However, operators began charging exorbitant sums for text messages. By the late 1990s, multiple operators existed in the market, phones became smarter, and everyone owned one. The arrival of Blackberries and iPhones changed the game completely. Since the introduction of the smartphone in 2007, mobile devices have progressively replaced or marginalized a countless number of things, some of which are included on this list: cameras, physical music players, phone books, wallets, money, maps, watches, alarm clocks, and landlines.


As we enter a new decade, it is important to acknowledge the impact that our phones have had on our daily lives. While they have undoubtedly brought us countless benefits, these devices have also contributed to the demise of certain objects and activities that were once considered essential to our daily routines. From video rental stores to the art of conversation, there are many things that have been lost in the wake of our obsession with smartphones. As we move forward, it is important to strike a balance between using technology to enhance our lives and preserving the invaluable elements of our culture that cannot be replicated by a screen.