Sure, innovations in wearable technology like Google Glass and Apple Watch have seemingly launched us into a whole new era of technology. However, there are still tech tools that have withstood the test of time. How did Columbus figure out he was sailing West to discover new land? A compass. Although GPS is the preferred directional device, in an area of no cell service, a compass is still a godsend for people every day. Here are a few of the different technology relics that are still being used in everyday life.
Fax Machines and Printers
Digital documents and scanners have reduced the need for sending hard copies of documents, contracts and papers. However, until everyone adopts the use of digital documents, fax machines will prove to be an important fixture in homes and offices worldwide. Although you may want to recreate the scene from “Office Space,” fax machines are and will be important for sending documents in the future.
Additionally, much to the chagrin of environmentalists, printers still prove to be an important fixture in our daily lives. Printers are still needed to print out happy hour menus, term papers, marketing handouts, junk mail coupons, textbooks and teen vampire novels. Unless there is a large shift by consumers and a quick adoption of technology, the printer will continue to be a staple in homes, offices and schools.
Satellite Phones
Advancements in mobile phone technology have nearly rendered satellite phones obsolete. But, there is no other voice communication device with the power to work in the most remote of areas. A satellite phone is an important purchase for any camper, hiker, backpacker or sailor so they can avoid getting stranded in the wilderness or out at sea. Satellite phones also are essential are in times of disaster relief. When mother nature knocks out power lines and communication towers, satellite phones are important for response teams to communicate.
Flash Memory
Surviving the implementation of cloud technology is flash memory. If you have a smartphone, tablet or laptop, you are using flash technology. Solid state drives like flash memory have grown from holding just MB of data to TB of data. There also has been a massive drop in the costs of flash memory, allowing for consumers to purchase them more easily. Technology also has allowed flash memory to shrink physically, making it easier for producers of consumer hardware products to utilize the dynamic technology.
Vinyl
Sales of vinyl records have jumped an astounding 38 percent in 2014, according to Digital Music News. The vinyl revival can be attributed to Generation Y’s interest in listening to music beyond their iPhone or radio. The 150 plus year old technology delivers sound quality similar to CDs or MP3s and adds to the music experience.
The ritual of buying the record, taking it out, placing it on the record player and listening to the record makes the music experience greater. As long as this thought holds true, vinyls will continue to stand the test of time.
~ Cynthia