Are smart devices actually smart?

Smartphone, smart TV, tablets, desktop computers, laptop, smartwatch, smart thermostat, smart digital camera, most people in modern society would surely own one or more of these devices, or at least have heard about them. Many people use computing devices for various tasks in their life and believe that these devices are “smart” for being able to do so. More and more people seem to believe that computer can do things they can not do because computers are smarter. Is it really the case? Are smart devices actually smart?

Once upon a time computers had the size of a large room with the capability to help human to perform some calculations. Program code and data are stored in punched films. Computers were considered as expensive device only the wealthiest companies can afford. Back then, it was unimaginable that computers could be used for personal purposes.

Years later, computers became smaller and smaller and large companies can start having more than one. The Programa 101 was recorded in history as the first desktop personal computer. It was launched in 1965, priced at $3,200. NASA used Programa 101 to do their calculations for Apollo 11 Moon landing project. It was the starting point of personal computing era. Even though arguably most ordinary people would not buy a “personal” device they have never heard of for $3,200. Starting from the 80s, computers became more common. The price were going down and a small number of ordinary people finally decided to have the “new” device.

The first laptop in flip form factor was Dulmont Magnum, launched in 1981 in Australia. In 1984, the first handheld device was launched. The device is named Psion Organizer. More PDA (personal digital assistant) products were introduced in the following years, including the Palm Pilot and Apple Newton. In its early age, mobile computing devices were still considered expensive and only few tech-savvy people would use it.

Wireless communication device had different start in history. The Motorola DynaTAC 8000X launched in 1984 was the first commercial mobile phone. It served only one purpose: to make phone calls. No SMS, no music playing, no games, no calendar, no maps, nothing. It was a pure telephone, just wireless. Therefore most people would not put this phone in the category of “computing device”.

Nokia 6110 in 1997 introduced simple software in a mobile phone, along with the legendary “snake” game, calculator, clock, calendar and other basic features. In 2003, BlackBerry 5810 was launched with QWERTY keyboard, followed by BlackBerry 7270 in 2005 with WiFi connectivity. Arguably, BlackBerry is the first brand that introduced the concept of “smart” phone to the mainstream users. In 2006, Nokia answered BlackBerry’s challenge to the new “smart” phone market with Nokia N95 running Symbian operating system with modern features allowing access to the Internet and installing apps.

The first iPhone was introduced in 2007, followed by iPhone 3G in 2008, it brought more and more people joining the new era of smart device. HTC Dream, the first Android phone was launched in the same year (2008), starting the world-famous duopoly in mobile smart devices.

In 2010, the world was re-introduced to another type of smart device with larger screen: iPad. It was not actually the first tablet device as Pencept PenPad was already sold back in 1989 (but not popular) and Microsoft has released multiple products of “modern” tablet computing since 2002 (also not popular). iPad was the first device to bring this category of smart device to the mainstream users.

Since the era of iPhone, iPad and Android devices, more and more devices are re-introduced as “smart” devices. Adding Internet connectivity (through WiFi or cabled LAN) and some apps changed the usual TV into “smart TV”. Adding control via smartphones changed light bulbs into “smart” light bulbs. Adding notifications, calendar and apps changed watches into “smart” watches. Adding some connectivity and smartphone controls changed refrigerators into “smart” refrigerators. If we some projects in crowdfunding sites like Kickstarter and Indiegogo, we will see “smart” clothes, “smart” trash bins, “smart” pillows, “smart” door lock, “smart” health wearable (step counters, heart rate monitors, etc.) and other “smart” devices more than you could imagine 10 years ago.

Now, with more and more devices around us claiming themselves as “smart”, does that make us smarter, or dumber?
Are these devices actually smart?

To answer these questions, let us get back a little bit to the history of computing devices. Every computing devices was designed to help humans to do some calculations. It started with the easiest form of calculation: basic arithmetic. Then it tried to help us calculating some accounting numbers, making reports at work or even typing formal letters. Then it tried to do more, allowing us to type and print things with pictures and colors. It started to go graphics, better visual interface and even some sort of early gamings. Even gaming is essentially full of calculations. As time progresses, more and more capabilities are added into computing devices, but they are still essentially the same: computation. Every number, every bit, every color, every pixel we see in our screen is produced from some sort of calculation.

Can humans do those calculations?

Yes.

The answer is a simple yes.

Then why do we need a computer? Or any other “smart” devices?

Because they do it faster. A LOT faster.

I have studied computer for more than 25 years. There is one big misunderstanding that most common people make about computer: they think that computers are smart. Sorry to disappoint, but computers are not smart. They are FAR from being smart. In fact, they are probably as dumb as a rock we find in our garden. But they can do one thing exceptionally good: they can calculate incredibly fast. And with the introduction of newer processor and newer devices every year, it only getting faster.

So if a computing device is dumb, but can calculate fast, then how come it can help humans to do things humans can not do?

Technically, every thing that a computing device can do, there will be at least one human person that can do the same, but with much lower speed and efficiency. Every little thing that a computing device can do actually comes from a set of instructions made by a human being. So, if no human have ever thought about something, then no human would be able to write that set of instructions for a computer to do. In modern devices, these sets of instructions are called operating systems and apps. Operating systems tell the machine about basic functions. Apps tell the machine about additional features and computations. Without these sets of instructions, these devices will calculate nothing and produce nothing. Completely useless.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a whole new topic of discussion. Yes it is a study that actually try to make a machine can have some sort of intelligence. However, again, the intelligence being born is still calculated from the set of instructions in the AI programs. The device itself remains doing the same purpose: to calculate fast.

Since humans have different skill sets and abilities, one might have the capability to do one task while not able to do other things. This is where computers become useful. Because computer can carry on the instructions they have been given with very high efficiency, it brings some skills from other humans that we probably can not do, plus (again) they are fast. That is a double benefits.

The same thing applies to all the other “smart” devices. Apps in smartphones, tablets and TVs are basically sets of instructions. Our life is made easier by having sets of instructions prepared by other humans to help us. And it is more than okay to use all these “helps”. However, we should probably reconsider the true meaning of the word “smart” in almost every modern products with some sort of programming and connectivity. The actual “smart” ones are the humans creating such products, not the products themselves.

In the end, we have to decide for ourselves, whether we choose to use those “smart” devices to live more productive and become smarter, or we choose to be spoiled by them and become dumber. Just bear in mind, allowing these devices to control our life is basically similar to allowing someone else to control our life through the sets of instruction embedded in the devices. Feel free to choose.