Final answer:
The term "smartphone" was first used by Ericsson in 1997. Apple's introduction of the iPhone in 2007 radically changed the landscape, and by 2015, smartphones began incorporating features like voice recognition AI. People's dependence on smartphones has significantly increased over the past years, largely replacing PCs for internet access.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first company to use the term "smartphone" was Ericsson in 1997 when it introduced the Ericsson GS 88 concept, which was dubbed the "Penelope" project internally. It was not the iPhone that first bore the name, but Apple indeed revolutionized the smartphone industry when it introduced the iPhone in 2007. Apple's launch initiated a significant shift towards smartphones that combined the functionalities of a mobile phone with those of a personal computer.
Post-2007, the innovations in smartphones have been tremendous. By 2015, smartphones had begun to incorporate artificial intelligence, particularly in voice recognition capabilities. This evolution highlights how integral these devices have become to everyday life, frequently replacing the use of personal computers for internet access. The proliferation of smartphones post-iPhone release has monumentally changed people's relationships with their phones, making them a central hub for communication, entertainment, and information acquisition.
Indeed, society's dependence on smartphones has grown substantially, more so than it was a year or even five years ago. This increasing reliance can be observed in the omnipresence of smartphones in various settings, which were unthinkable before, such as classrooms and boardrooms. Alongside the evolution of the internet and search engine use beginning in 2003, smartphones have expedited the pace at which people demand and receive information, fostering a culture that expects instantaneity.