Just today: I’ve finally finished Dan Brown’s latest, which probes the relevance of religion in a science-overran world. The atheist tech magnet tries to stun the world, offering answers to two of life’s biggest questions: Where do we come from? Where are we going? Edward is spot on in his prediction that the kingdom of technology would take over the world. Having bought a new phone last month, I couldn’t disagree.

‘Hello Moto’

I’ve been using smartphones for years, going from LG on a contract to two outright Motorola’s. After sticking with my 4G Moto phone for two years, I had the urge to upgrade. Given, the latter did a good job and everything was in working order. The battery life was excellent, and I’d charge it every other day on full use. It had a camera that you could activate by simply twisting your wrist; you can’t say that for most other phones. However, in the two years since I’ve purchased the device, the specs have become low-end. Though I used my phone primarily for texting and calls, I wanted the newer phones’ convenience and Swiss Army knife function. While I already have a tablet, there are some instances which are fit only for a mobile. In those times, you’ll have to bypass the bigger tablet in favour of the smaller device.

NFC

While 4G capable smartphones serve many functions, it could be a way to get more organised. I would admit that my tablet does this commendably, but what about on the go? When you’re queueing in line at stores, the NFC (Near Field Communication) function of my mobile foregoes fishing bank cards in my wallet. This neat technology, using Android Pay, is much the same as the tap and go or PayPass, but all you have to do this time is to put your phone to the reader, get the tick mark, and bring your item/s with you. While we’re talking queues, you could also opt to include your loyalty cards on your phone. That way, you would employ a digital wallet, instead of dissecting your physical one. This is handy too if you’d like to clear space from your bifold. In like manner, you could store your gift cards on your phone, which clears space, spares the hassle, and is more environmentally friendly.

Lagger boy

There are other things I could do on my new phone, which my prior one lacked. My new HTC phone has twice the RAM, meaning more tasks and less lag. Downloading apps is a breeze compared to Moto. The cam specs are better, it has a later Android OS, it’s got a bigger screen size, and faster mobile data browsing. The two phones are both dual sim, but the former was micro sim. Unlike before, I’m enjoying the Internet on my cell. There is also HTC’s News Republic feed, which could be both annoying and catchy. Meanwhile, on my lock screen, you get an up to the minute look at the local weather. One of the few issues is that mobile data (AND NFC) consumes a lot of power. Since the Moto has a bigger battery AND smaller screen size, my current one is much less energy efficient. I’d have to switch off the NFC at times.

When I heard Edward lecturing on how technology has transformed our lives, I could only concur. In Brown’s novel, he even went as far as saying that technology would overstep humanity as the dominant ‘species’ in a few short decades. With implants, stem cell developments, transplants, nanotechnology and others, he already sees this happening. The fusion of man and machine is an inevitable outcome, and our time is a science century. Many theologians would laugh Edmond out of the lab, as the existence of a supernatural motivates billions to get out of bed, and pushes them to do good. Whether mystery or asterisk, conjecture or dogma, we would all be reduced to the Stone Age without ‘science and faith’.