The year was 1931 and Chester Gould, the creator of the Dick Tracy comic script, had not yet envisioned his character's use of mobile technology. Car phones were non-existent. And the payphone plotlines used by James Gardner and the Rockford Files were still 42 years in the future.

In January 1946, Gould introduced the now famous Tracy 2-Way Wrist Radio. It opened doors of wonder and perhaps even a few realistic thoughts on how to bring such technology to pass. In 1974, the hero of Rockford Files was still solving mysteries wherein the police were always late due to a lack of decent communication technology. Roadside payphones don't lend well to the emergency needs of troubled detectives.

Early cell phones served the elite car phone market. Price, size and power requirements greatly limited their flexibility. But in 1983, the Motorola DynaTAC 8000x busted down the barriers. The nation finally had a mobile communication device that actually fit into a pocket or a purse.

From Voice To Imaging

The shift from voice-only communication to the modern options for remote television programming, viewing and scheduling came a bit quicker than previous advancements. At first, features such as voicemail, texting and video viewing barely touched the concepts of realistic application. But eventually a technological communications rocket ruptured the heart of the over-the-air TV industry.

According to Business Insider, IBM teamed with BellSouth in 1982 to produce the IBM Simon smartphone. Selling at $899, the handheld unit provided users with instant access to smartphone apps, including an address book and e-mail. In the 1990s, the U.S. experienced the wonder of digital video (DV). But the missiles of technology, unknowingly aimed at early 21^st century television viewing habits, had only just lifted off.

Within five years after the introduction of the Simon, Philippe Kahn developed a method for connecting a digital camera to a cell phone. In 1997, he used his technical skills to upload images to the Internet via cell phone technology.

The Multimedia Breakthrough

Like fireworks during a winter festival, digital breakthroughs began to explode over the American public. Everyone wanted the newest digital applications and devices. Technical advancements rolled out on a timetable that seemed to warp the mind:

In 1996, the Nokia 9000 Communicator phone from Finland opened the web to commercial mobile access. Weighing in at only 14 ounces, the Nokia needed only the completion of the Pacific Bell Mobile Services network in order to provide the western U.S. with the options to make calls, access the Internet, send and receive e-mail and tap into worldwide databases.

In 1998, Sony Corporation filed patent on an HD DVR system developed to minimize recording time for high image quality input video. HD TV, HD DVR and even 3D TV moved into position for taking charge of on-the-go television viewing.

Modern flat-screen high-definition video transformed the television industry, including where and how Americans view TV and movies. In 1927, the introduction of "talkie" television cracked the existing audio movie sound barrier. In 2013, modern mobile technology crashed the digital empire of early 21st century broadcast stations. Modern Americans have near limitless access to home television management, including:

• Remote cable and Satellite program selections
• Store and view anywhere technology
• Room to room high-definition DVR sharing
• Online linking to home video and audio devices

The list is only beginning for the advances of mobile technology. We live in an exciting time of innovation and technological breakthroughs. Life-long mobile internet and data now "gives you the world," according to T-mobile, and someday soon, you might not even need that iPhone to read your text messages.

Author Bio
Murray Lunn is a freelance writer specializing in content marketing for online businesses; his work includes business blogging, product development, and brand development.