Technology Gadgets - the good, the bad and the ugly!
August 3rd 2007 03:55
Signature Tune
First they need to be easier.
Did you know that 20% of people who own these gadgets do not know what PDA, MP3, or HDTV mean and 46% of people who own electronic gadgets don't know how to use them for anything but their very simplest functions.
50% of returns of such devices to stores are in perfect working order. It's just that their owners could not figure out how to use them.
Instructions need to be clear and easy to follow and not so ridiculously time consuming that people just give up.
These gadgets seem generally to be in the province of the young who show one another and pass on information and there are usually more than a few geeks amongst their acquaintances.
They buy, buy, buy and use, use, use, whether they need to or not.
How many get really frustrated by those on their cell phones getting in the way, holding up buses and engaging in conversations of the most banal, like "I'm in the bus, I'll be home soon" to forcing us to share their most intimate moments and undignified encounters.
And now we can pass on from the young as the ones who still insist on doing these things could no longer be classed in that category.
And now we have business discussions forced on us, real estate deals brokered and legal intimacies divested and not within the privacy of their own homes.
Still, it's not just technology that is doing this to us. Often I have seen business documents being attended to on the ferry for all and sundry to see and I am forced to wonder what would happen should the ferry capsize and it would be a matter of yelling out "documents overboard' and letting "man" drown.
But, I digress, we need to know where gadgets are leading us and what they promise to do for us next.
Never mind the assurances from business that businesses run on people skills not gadgets as woe betide any employee who finds himself computer illiterate and unable to come to grips quickly with the latest program requirements. Knowledge of what the significance of what they are doing is not required. You know the slogan "Just do it"
Of course, we all know how important technology is and how dependent we all are on it.
So let's take a very fast look into the future and see what lies ahead.
The building industry is looking at 'Smart Materials' which change their behaviour to external stimuli like light, temperature and moisture as well as the ability to repair themselves to counter stress factors.
Movies are going to have to leap way beyond the matrix and spiderman to cope.
Environmental issues ensure that technology must now be 'clean and green' so silicon valley and wall street are going to have to get into bed together over this one. And be seen to be getting into bed with one another.
Firefighters need new goggles that are more user friendly so that they don't get thrown away after the first initial wear when they are found to be unsuitable.
This post was intended to be about simple consumer devices by way of gadgets, it hasn't turned out that way, but hopefully we'll live to see another day and I'll gradually get myself a 'round tuit' Ole !
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Comment by Jershey
i believe that a certain product is produced with a specific target market in mind... and it doesnt mean that when a person can afford to buy a certain product, it is targetted for him to use...
people can't stop technology for growing bigger and more advanced...what people must have is the ability to analize their needs and be able to choose products that fits these needs...
as I read your post, i came up with an idea that i can post on my blog... i just want to thank you for that...
thanks,
jershey