I’ve been rummaging through boxes of outdated technology and came across a generic GPS I imported from China. I had an idea to create a revenue stream by integrating advertisements from major chain businesses. As the GPS approached a McDonald’s, for example, a small banner ad would flash on the GPS screen while highlighting the location.
Well, that idea never panned out because GPS devices became obsolete shortly after smartphones went on the market. With a free application, any smartphone becomes a constantly updated GPS. Basically the phone takes the place of many devices and most applications include the feature I tried to create.
Obsolescence happens all the time when one piece of technology takes the place of another. The coolest devices that we think will be around forever are quickly displaced by another technology that makes that function easier. Many times the item isn’t a direct replacement or as easy to use as the original.
Typewriters are a great example of this. Typewriters are so basic, simply load a piece of paper and start typing. There was no screen and definitely no worry about contracting viruses. Of course I’m referring to computers replacing typewriters.
Computers replaced typewriters for the majority of applications; however, for some uses they aren’t so good. I keep a Smith Corona stashed away for multi-part and preprinted forms and the occasional label. I suppose I’ll keep the old clacker around until the rest of the world catches up with technology.
Removable media recording has pretty much been displaced by hard drive recording solutions. Years ago if I wanted to record a show with the intent of watching it later I would have to insert a VHS tape and push record. Recording a season of one television show meant stowing multiple cassettes.
About five years ago hard drive based recording solutions evolved which eliminated cassette tapes. One of the versions I’ve seen advertised comes integrated into the cable provider’s equipment. Rather than a separate tuner and recorder, users now only need one set top box and no tapes.
Another tiny piece of technology that’s gone the way of smartphones is the pedometer. I’ve had many over the years and most fit nicely in my pocket. Pedometers used to be mechanical until they were replaced by digital. Although the digital was lighter, they were still clunky.
I saw my first FitBit at a party three weeks ago. Rather than juggle a stop watch sized pedometer, FitBit wearers only have to worry about a pill sized device. The little pill clips into a wristband and synchronizes sleep patterns and the number of steps taken throughout the day. Once synced, all the information is stored in a cell phone.
I’m sitting down to my computer at 10:45PM, shortly after the Patriots took the win in the Super Bowl. I don’t subscribe to TV service and live too far to be able to use an antenna but I still wanted to watch the game. I’m not a huge fan of bars so I opted to stream it over the internet.
Well, I found out live internet streams aren’t all they’re cracked up to be. Immediately after getting home from buying snacks I logged onto NBC.com and joined the feed. Although I knew who won the game almost exactly one minute before the rest of the world, I was forced to watch through static and occasional service interruptions. Until providers refine online streaming that’s one technology that won’t be replacing television.
(Jeromy Patriquin is the President of Laptop & Computer Repair, Inc. located at 509 Main St. in Gardner. You can call him at (978) 919-8059 or visit www.LocalComputerWiz.com.)