For today’s generation, the cell phone is an invaluable asset in their daily lives. Although its early incarnations were utilized for simple communication, faster processors and increased memory storage have enabled a new generation of cell phone to emerge. More akin to a computer than a phone, they are able to access the Internet, play graphically intensive games, and utilize general purpose or business related applications to aid in our daily lives.

But while the present day cell phones offer this, the future is even more exciting. Already today, some phones themselves can become mobile wi-fi hotspots to enable other devices to access the Internet. And further increases in the computing capabilities could soon render the laptop obsolete for those looking for computing on the go. And with features like high definition cameras, even the film industry looks to be revolutionized.

No longer will we be tethered to bulky and cumbersome devices to record the world, or to enter digital ones. Indeed in the field of gaming, phones have recently evolved from the primitive and simple types more suited to the consoles and computers of decades past, to the rich and complex of today’s. Game companies who not too long ago would have laughed at the notion of developing game titles for mobile phones now are lining up at the possibilities. And even smaller, independent developers are finding opportunity and success on the platform. The future is literally wide open in this regard.

The signs of the changing face of the industry, and the world, can be seen in the ever increasing push by various companies to get a piece of the proverbial pie. Competition is fierce, with heavyweight companies like Apple, Microsoft, and Google all making major investments in the field. The passion and drive they bring to the industry should be all the evidence one needs to see where the future is heading.

Whether you have an iPhone, one of the many phones with the Android operating system, or use something else, the one thing you can't deny is that today’s phone puts the past to shame.

But while some may want to argue the merits and flaws of the respective phones and the operating systems that run on them, one has to keep the bigger picture in mind. We should be embracing this technology revolution as yet another step on the path that ensures that we can all be connected to whatever it is we need. Whether that's family staying in touch, an executive keeping tabs on the market, or a bored teenager finding an entertainment fix, the world really can be in the palm of our hands.