The rapid growth of wireless communications has surprised some of the world’s technology leaders—including computer and software makers and wireless carriers – as it continues to permeate every aspect of our business and personal lives.

Said Derick Roberts, CEO of TruTeq Devices, a company specializing in a wide array of wireless solutions, from pre-paid wireless security solutions to wireless utility solutions: “.Mobile devices are being used everywhere. From agricultural management solutions, to smartphones, computer games, the factory floor, to home appliances

“They are taking on everywhere at an unstoppable rate and more and more engineers, technicians, and their companies are learning to use wireless test systems and devices like smartphones and tablets to get work done more easily and faster, with more accuracy and increased convenience and safety. It’s all happening so fast we forget just how fast it is happening – and how fast mobile devices are taking over,” said Roberts

The world’s first “smartphone” was actually a brick-like device from IBM called Simon, which was introduced in 1994. Two years later the iconic Nokia 9000 made its debut – and from there there was no stopping mobile devices and their rapid encroachment into every aspect of our lives.

The Nokia 9000 – while not nearly as fancy as today’s true smartphones – offered cellular phone functionality, a personal digital assistant, e-mail, and partial web-browsing prowess.

“What this breakthrough event meant was that suddenly one device could do what used to require two or more – and it could be used almost anywhere. It empowered users like never before. The rapid evolution of mobile devices had begun and, in June 2007, Apple came to the market with the world’s first iPhone – which was further ramped up with the introduction of the first Apple tablet in 2010.”

The impact of the tablet took people by surprise – even market gurus did not expect them to take off like they did. One guru, however, made a noticeable remark in FORTUNE MAGAZINE in August 2010. FORTUNE MAGAZINE’S Seth Weintraub predicted: “what we are seeing in smartphones is bigger than anything that has come before it . . . and it is coming so fast that we don't realize what's happening.”

He added: “Smartphones, or Mobile devices, will soon become the dominant computing platform for humanity and supplant the PC, which has reigned since Apple ignited the Personal Computer revolution in the late 1970's.”

It was just six months later that PC Magazine reported that smartphones outsold PCs in Q4 2010 for the first time. “Mind-blowingly”, this didn’t include the counting of tablets.

“Now,” said Roberts, “almost anyone who is worth something has entered the tablet slug-fest. Apple, once the clear leader with its iconic iPads, is now being challenged by a range of Android-driven tablets and by a fast-rising Samsung. There seems to be no stopping the rise of the mobile device. And the next five years could surprise the experts again – in terms of growth,” Roberts quipped.