Final answer:
The method of connecting your mobile phone to your computer to access the internet is known as tethering. It has been an essential feature before the widespread availability of Wi-Fi. Smartphones have significantly enhanced communication and internet access, notably impacting areas with limited infrastructure.
Step-by-step explanation:
The ability to use your phone as a method to communicate to the internet by connecting your mobile phone directly to your computer, usually over a USB connection, is known as tethering. This method harnesses the cellular data connection of your phone to provide internet access to your computer, which can be particularly useful in areas without Wi-Fi or during travel. Before the massive spread of Wi-Fi, tethering was a vital tool for on-the-go internet access. Since the introduction of smartphones, such as the iPhone in 2007, mobile technology has evolved to offer an array of capabilities like free Internet-based calling and video calls, and not just browsing the web.
Smartphones are now widely used in various parts of the world, notably improving communication and access to information. This is especially significant in developing countries, where smartphones can leapfrog traditional stages of infrastructure development. Features such as texting also offer a discreet form of communication compared to phone calls, adapting to the social norms around mobile phone usage.