Mobile Media Practices, Presence and Politics : The Challenge of Being Seamlessly Mobile

The mobile phone—especially in the form of smartphone—is now ushering in new promises of seamlessness between engagement with technology and everyday common experiences. This volume argues, however, that these transitions are far from seamless.  It is these seams that this volume acknowledges, challenges and explores—socially, culturally, technologically and historically—as we move to a deeper understanding of the role and impact of mobile communication’s saturation throughout the world.

As an example of convergence, the mobile phone—especially in the form of smartphone—is now ushering in new promises of seamlessness between engagement with technology and everyday common experiences. This seamlessness is not only about how one transitions between the worlds of the device and the physical environment but it also captures the transition and convergences between devices as well (i.e. laptop to smartphone, smartphone to tablet).

This volume argues, however, that these transitions are far from seamless. We see divisions between online and offline, virtual and actual, here and there, taking on different cartographies, emergent forms of seams. It is these seams that this volume acknowledges, challenges and explores—socially, culturally, technologically and historically—as we move to a deeper understanding of the role and impact of mobile communication’s saturation throughout the world.