You can’t exhaust the impact and benefits of technology, especially with the constant developments and advancements. Technology has impacted our personal, work, and social life. Technology has made things more accessible and convenient, from fast and timely communications to easy access to information and better learning techniques. Over the years, we’ve witnessed a significant shift in how technology has changed. There seems to be no end.
Since the advancements are rapid and fast-paced, some have gone unnoticed, and their impacts have been consigned to oblivion. In today’s world, you must stay up to date with significant technological advancements. So whether you’re a technology enthusiast or just want to learn about technology and innovations, this article is for you. Here are notable technological changes over the last ten years.
Technology Has Changed for Streaming Services
Over a decade ago, you couldn’t imagine streaming your favorite movie or show online. Instead, you were limited to YouTube or DVDs. But today, multiple applications, including Netflix and Hulu, allow you to watch your favorite shows.
Some stream shows across several channels. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about missing an episode of your favorite show. You can always catch up later through a video streaming service.
The best part is that you can watch shows on your smartphone. Also, you can decide what you want to watch and when. This means that traditional TV has become obsolete.
Mobile Network Upgrades
The introduction of 3G networks brought a new age of calling, texting, and internet connectivity, particularly for mobile devices. The launch of the 4G network in most parts of the country increased internet connectivity as it offered about five times faster speed than the 3G network. Consequently, technology has changed to allow download speeds to increase to 15 Mbit/s.
If the 4G network delivers faster downloads and steady connectivity, imagine what 5G will do in the next decade.
Electric/Autonomous Cars
Technology has also impacted the transport industry over the past decade. As a result, the world needs clean and renewable energy, which is among the primary drivers for vehicle innovations and advancements.
Back then, we relied on fossil-fueled vehicles, with emissions that harm the environment. In 2010 there were barely any electric vehicles on US roads. But recently, there’s been increasing popularity of electric cars not only in the US but also worldwide.
Buying an EV is significantly higher, but the return on investment is also high.
Autonomous cars are another major transport industry breakthrough, but they are still under trial. However, we might experience their use in the next decade.
Technology Has Changed for Personal Voice Assistants
A decade ago, you couldn’t fantasize about the experience of commanding your phone or computer to perform an action without touching it. While the idea of personal voice assistance was there, the technologies were still in their initial development stages.
Today, personal voice assistants are common. Some like Alexa have been incorporated into home automation to make your life easier. For instance, Alexa is capable of voice interaction, making to-do lists, providing real-time information, and streaming podcasts.
Amazon has sold more than 100 million Alexa devices, including homes.
Wearable Technologies
Wearable technologies have been around for many years. But over the last decade, the technologies have rapidly evolved and are much easier to integrate. From smartwatches to activity trackers, the popularity of wearable technologies has steadily risen.
Wearables are designed for specific functions depending on the manufacturer and the use. Some allow you to track your fitness levels, while others enable you to operate other devices hands-free. For instance, you can use a smartwatch to operate your smartphone without taking it out of your pocket.
Once you connect your wearable to your smart device, the wearable obtains and transmits information to and from the device. Additionally, the devices are highly portable and convenient for everyday use.
People using wearable technology record increased productivity. They also save a lot of time from operating devices manually. In the next decade, AR glasses will be a big trend.
AI and Big Data
Back then, it was challenging for humans to sift through loads of data, convert it into computer formats and analyze it for decision-making. AI and big data are two different disciplines that can be combined to enhance performance.
AI recognizes data trends and can adapt to changes and adaptations. Combining big data and AI can automate a large percentage of physical work and data processing and collection work.
Although AI hasn’t completely outshined human intelligence, most people and organizations have adopted it to increase productivity and reduce costs. The technology has been there for years, but it only became more popular in the last decade. So, we can expect significant changes in AI and big data in the next decade.
Data Storage
Technology has changed how we store data at individual and organizational levels. Back then, people used to store information on CDs, hard drives, and computers. And even today, some people still store their data on hard drives and other physical devices. However, the risk of losing your data on a physical storage device is significantly higher. Businesses that rely on onsite data storage solutions are also at increased risk of data loss from natural disasters.
Enter cloud storage that has changed how people store and retrieve data. Individuals and businesses demand off-premise storage and web-based software programs. People and organizations are moving their data to the clouds. A cloud storage service offers increased accessibility, shareability, and team collaboration. All your data is backed up to the cloud, so you don’t have to worry about data loss. You don’t have to invest in physical storage infrastructure to store your data. You don’t have to worry about the security of your data as it is highly encrypted.
The best data storage services are currently offered by Google Drive, Dropbox, IDrive, and pCloud. We could see more of these providers in the next decade.
Learn More About How Technology Has Changed Over the Last Decade
Technology has come a long way. We’ve witnessed significant innovations over the last decades which have changed our lives. Thanks to numerous streaming channels like Netflix, you can now stream your favorite shows on your smartphone.
Mobile networks have moved from 3G to 4G, offering stable connections and more incredible download speeds. More people are going for electric/autonomous cars that are more convenient.
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