Final answer:
Smartphones can function as a wireless modem, also known as tethering, allowing other devices to access the internet. They have notably transformed access to information and communication, especially in developing countries, by bypassing traditional infrastructure stages.
Step-by-step explanation:
True, some smartphones can indeed function as a wireless modem, allowing other devices to connect to the internet through their cellular data connection. This feature, commonly known as tethering, turns a smartphone into a portable hotspot, providing internet connectivity to devices like laptops and tablets.
Since the release of the first iPhone in 2007, smartphones have had the capability to access the internet wirelessly, benefiting users by granting mobile access to the World Wide Web and facilitating various innovative forms of communication and business, particularly in developing countries.
Farmers, traders, and students in areas without traditional infrastructure have seen significant improvements in their ability to connect and access information, thanks in part to the proliferation of smartphones.
Furthermore, with WiFi technology, smartphones can connect to wireless networks at home or in public spaces, using microwaves in the 2.4 GHz to 5.0 GHz range to communicate data. These developments highlight the versatility of smartphones and their impact on global connectivity and information access.