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How has technology changed in the past 10 years?
10 years ago, Alexa was nothing more than a female name and we did not have the pleasure of calling cabs with just a button on the phone. If we come to think of how technology has changed in the last ten years, it is pretty mind-blowing. But the developments were so quickly ingrained in our daily lives, that they often go unnoticed and their impact might be forgotten.
None of us can imagine the mesmerizing innovation technology will bring in the next 10 years. But what we can do is review all the technological advancements that took place in the past w0 years and accordingly anticipate the changes that are in store for us over the next 10 years.
1. Mobile upgrade from 3G to 4G
Remember how happy we used to be with 3G networks. We thought nothing could be better than this until we tasted 10x faster speed with a 4G network. It increased download speeds from 1.5 Mbit/s t 15 Mbit/s. Nowadays, every smartphone needs to have 4G smartphone. Otherwise, it is outdated. It became a foundational technology for a wide range of mobile applications. This made people get away from their laptops and easily stream music, videos, movies, shop on e-commerce sites, and use social media sites on the go.
The industries that benefitted from this development were social media, streaming media, smartphone manufacturers, and e-commerce. Back in 2011, the total time people used to spend on mobile devices was 32 minutes which went above 132 minutes in 2021.
2. Online streaming services
Back in 2011, could you imagine watching a whole series or a movie without downloading for hours? Just the thought of it seems like light years away from reality. But it has become so common in today’s world that it doesn’t surprise anymore. This technological evolution came in 2019 which enabled people to break through all technical barriers. They can enjoy their favourite show with their families, friends, and popcorns. ‘Netflix and chill’ have become the common phrase among the millennial. There are even apps that show across several channels. At the rate of technological advancement gathering momentum, I can expect more to come our way.
Some of the popular streamline services:
- Netflix
- Hulu
- Amazon Prime Video
- Apple TV Plus
- Sling TC
- HBO Max
3. Direct pay apps
A wallet without enough cash can be a big headache at that time and imagine splitting a bill after a group dinner. But those days are gone. People can easily survive themselves even though there is no cash in the wallet. There are direct payment apps that made the payment process much easier. Nowadays, shops, groceries, pharmacies, markets allow online payment. So if your date or a friend gives you an excuse for forgetting their wallet at home, you can just remind them to use their online payment app.
Here are a few options for direct pay apps:
- PayPal
- Google Pay
- Venmo
- Facebook Messenger
- Zelle
- Paytm
- Amazonpay
4. Wireless earbuds
People mostly used to be bound to their phones by headphone wires. Although people still are using these headphones, Apple brought quite an invention of AirPods back in 2016. They gained an insane amount of popularity as people can finally get rid of the frustration of detangling their earphones or always have to tie with the wires. On top of that with crystal clear sound, easy to connect, and fast charging, Airpods have taken over the business of headphones. They even got their fair share of meme action in the process.
5. Virtual grocery shopping
People who actually hated dealing with lines at the grocery store were the happiest ones with the birth of grocery delivery service. These services came into practice in the year 2012. You will easily be able to place your order for grocery items with just the push of a few buttons. Your fridge will be restocked with all the necessary items without stepping outside your home.
6. Alexa
Alexa was introduced in 2014, bringing all the Internet of Things into our home. They come with thousands of skills and they continue extending their capabilities. You can use it for setting times, create lists, access Wikipedia articles, ask it to Google any information, play a song, share current weather, etc. It has grown tremendously both in functionality and popularity.
You can order pizza, dim the light of the room, ask for dissertation help with getting access to it. Nowadays most households have voice-enabled virtual assistants like Siri, Alexa, Google Assistant, and Cortana.
7. Instagram
When Instagram was launched at the beginning of October 2010, nobody expected or could predict its success. But then Mark Zuckerberg made an unexpected decision to buy Instagram at $ billion, and people actually thought him crazy at that time. At present, it has 1 billion active monthly users, so surely it was one of his best decisions. Along with that, more than 100 million pictures are getting uploaded to the platform every single day. The app has gained popularity all over the world and the platform has become a hotspot for marketers. The app is filled with influencers from all fields. From amazing filters, reel, and IGTV videos, Instagram has become a complete package for entertainment as well as for the business world.
SUMMING UP,
Technology is changing every day. If we compare the changes between 2011 and 2021, we can realize how fast technology is changing every day. But since every day we are getting messages on the latest updates, trends, and features in technologies, we fail to see the vast changes. This also makes us more eager to think about what the future might hold in for us.
AUTHOR BIO:
Olaila Lee is a writer in one of the most popular magazines in the UK. She has written several articles and blogs on technologies in World Economic Forum. She is also associated with MyAssignmenthelp.com where he offers English assignment help solutions to students.
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