I don’t like thinking of myself as an “old dog,” but when I look around at some of the “new tricks” in the form of technologies coming into the marketplace, it’s difficult not to feel a little out of date. The advances embodied in everyday devices ranging from inexpensive toys to appliances to cars are nothing short of amazing to those of us who remember feeding computers punch cards, seeing a fax come over the line for the first time, or purchasing one of the early handheld calculators.
It wasn’t too many years ago when mobile telephones were the “latest invention” and lugging those heavy instruments around to be able to keep in touch at a moment’s notice was almost more of a burden than a blessing. In 1988, the “coolest” cell phone cost around $4,380 in today’s dollars, and a 150MB hard drive ran more than $8,750. The most popular lap tops ranged upward of $4,000. Today, when we compare prices and capabilities with the past, there are almost unlimited examples of better technologies at lower prices.
In looking at tomorrow, there are some significant changes that await us. I don’t believe we’ll be jetting around on personal transporters any time soon (much as I would like to), but (as usual) today’s technological “wonders” will quickly become so commonplace, we’ll have difficultly imagining how we ever lived without them.
Over the next generation or so, computers will grow even more potent, transportable, and linked, allowing us to have vast amounts of information and entertainment delivered to us wherever and whenever we desire.
In some cases, we might not even recognize computers, per se, because enhanced nanotechnology and microprocessors will substantially transform them in look and usage. Plus, when chips attain their limit in minuteness, the possibility may exist for transmission by use of light waves or various atomic particles.
Within reach already are cameras and GPS-capable devices which, when installed in business operations, homes, and in personal handsets, can analyze needs and direct the flow of practically everything from products to personal health services. The influx of wireless connections and the rapid increase in transmission procedures continues to draw the world closer together.
Being “always connected,” of course, can create privacy issues and information pirating, but with adequate safeguards, including education and legal remedies, these matters can be minimized.
Whereas the “latest in technology” used to be of interest only to “techies” or youngsters who grew up in the Information Age, nowadays older folks are getting into the act with many recognizing the value of being up-to-date, technologically speaking.
Even so, there are those who are resistant to change and would rather keep their original computer and related equipment until it breaks down. For example, some Internet users prefer to use dial-up services when faster and less expensive methods of communication are available. Comfort and familiarity often trump the need to update, even if such choices are considered archaic in some circles.
Even so, today’s toddlers are growing more knowledgeable about tech devices and are placing them high on their wish list. Many of the bigger toy companies profess to no longer be in the toy business. Rather, they note their products are designed to fill a niche in the family entertainment and leisure business.
Technology has been making its mark in the toy world over the past decade or so. Nowadays, the trend is rapidly accelerating. Recently, six of the nine best-selling toys for five- to seven-year-olds were tech devices. In 2006 (latest figures), one-third of the top toys for that age group were those with high-tech twists.
The technology industry, of course, seeks to continually introduce new products and services, along with painless one-click upgrades. That objective serves to provide a financial gain for the producers as well as benefit users by enhancing communications procedures and leisure and entertainment opportunities.
With the ongoing improvement in computers and specialized sensors and the increase of their intelligent capacities, new avenues are being opened for the development and manufacture of myriad associated items. Each new wave of technological discovery and implementation invariably impacts our lives in some manner and creates broad opportunities for economic benefits. Despite our skepticism of the political talk concerning “change” these days, those are changes about which we can be certain.