7 Gadgets That Won't Be Around In 2020

[Thing Fish]

Saw this the other day and thought with all the hoo ha recently regarding technology threads people might find it interesting.

As they say ...Discuss?

http://shopping.yahoo.com/articles/yshoppingarticles/717/7-gadgets-that-wont-be-around-in-2020

[The Vinyl Adventure]

Dare I say te word evolution in another thread?

I'm glad someone else things low end digital cameras (as we know them now) are for the chop ... I've been saying that for a while but often people look at me like I'm mental!

[Marco]

The only way to be as least affected by this as possible is to own the fewest amount of gadgets! ;)

My advice is not to become reliant on any form of gadgetry unless it is absolutely essential - i.e. you have no other option. That way, you can ride through all this bullshit technological one-upmanship with it having minimal impact on your life.

Put yourself in control, not a bloody computer!

Marco.

[The Vinyl Adventure]

Or just buy an iPhone 4s ... (Or android equivelent, god know I don't want to get into a row again ;))
It does all the things it is superseding!

[The Vinyl Adventure]

Trust you to see all this as just "one-upmanship" ... There is other reasons people own this stuff other than just the ability to argue about it ya know ;)

[Marco]

Hi Hamish,

Well, I've already said that if these gadgets are utterly essential in order for you to exist and/or earn a living, then fill your boots.

In any other circumstances, try to shun them, because as soon as you begin to rely on gadgets, they very quickly become 'indispensible', and then you're hooked. Like the old saying goes: you can't miss what you never had, so don't have it in the first place!

After you're hooked, you simply become a continual cash-cow for the companies who make these things, with their clever marketing strategies designed to get right inside your head and MAKE you want 'stuff', and in the process, controlling your buying decisions.

Don't forget that, genuine technological advancements aside, one of the main reasons why technology is continually updated is to ensure that there always exists some 'must have' toy on the market for you to purchase, otherwise the companies who make these things would go out of business! There must ALWAYS exist something 'better' than the last 'best' thing ;)

It's up to you whether you become a victim of their marketing strategies, and their cash-cow, or not. The problem is, often you don't even realise that you've been sucked in, until you take a step back and examine your lifestyle behaviour, counting the number of 'indispensible' gadgets you own. Then, the way you've been subliminally controlled by marketing, hits you smack on the face and provides a very rude awakening....!

Marco.

[slate]

"80% of all phones sold in 2015 will be smartphones and every phone sold in 2018 will be a smartphone"
Hmm that might be true if smart phones get cheaper; Many people in this world would be happy to afford any phone at all.

I can see the lure in all their glitter but I still resist... Granted I am old school. I still have to wear out the last 3 phones I was given by my former workplace. Why add to the waste mountain. I only use them for talk and text anyway, so no reason to get caught up in the gadget feature race.
Oh my it does mean that I do not know in this exact moment one of my friends just squashed a mosquito in her kitchen... so what.. I am not on Facebook anyway,,, or Myspace, Google+ or the next fad

[Marco]

I still have to wear out the last 3 phones I was given by my former workplace. Why add to the waste mountain. I only use them for talk and text anyway, so no reason to get caught up in the gadget feature race.


Spot on. "gadget feature race" - how apt! I like it. The green aspect of this should also be considered. And there's bugger all wrong with being 'old school' - it tends to save you lots of money :)

I also only use my mobile phone for talking and sending texts, and it's only switched on when I need to use it or be contactable, which as I work from home, is not very often. I'm with Virgin and use their pay-as-you-go top-up vouchers, simply because my mobile phone is no longer used enough to warrant having a contract. A £10 top-up voucher can sometimes last me two months or more! :eyebrows:

I get a free handset upgrade every three years, and that does me just fine. At the moment I have one of those Samsung ones that looks like a Blackberry, but isn't. And the only reason I chose it, was because it had a 'typewriter' keyboard, which makes sending texts much easier - the rest of what it does is entirely superfluous!

Marco.

[WAD62]

Hi Hamish,

Well, I've already said that if these gadgets are utterly essential in order for you to exist and/or earn a living, then fill your boots.


Marco, I'll admit that smart phones don't yet appear on Maslow's hierarchy of needs...but then again nor does a good hi-fi, or a nice car. :)

Many things aren't essential, but they are damned useful, as John said in another thread "If people want to get in touch with me they can send a letter", but it can be handy to use a phone, if you're in more of a hurry...;)

I'll respect Hamish's wish and stick out of a brand war, but all I can say is my HTC desire is the most 'useful' device I have ever owned...

Phone Calls
SKYPE
Text
FLAC gapless music player
Controller for my SqueezeBox players (better than the £160 logitec one)
Google Email/Documents/Calendar Integration
Google Maps turn by turn satnav
Full internet browsing
Wi-Fi hub
Flash Camera (good for recording white boards)
Guitar Tuner
Wi-Fi analyser
Scientific Calculator
Language translator
Voice Recognition & Synthesiser
Unit Converter
BBC Iplayer
Compass
Spirit Level
Bar Code Reader
Google earth/sky/goggles/shopper
Kindle
...that'll do for now

And all I have to do is carry one small phone with me and I have all that functionality to hand...:)

Now about this spinning jenny thing I hear of...;)

[The Vinyl Adventure]

spl meter
train times
computer mouse
alarm clock
dictionary
cook book
cocktail recipe book
bible (and im not even christian)
business card scanner

[Marco]

Marco, I'll admit that smart phones don't yet appear on Maslow's hierarchy of needs...but then again nor does a good hi-fi, or a nice car. :)


Oh absolutely, I'm all for having nice things. Like I said, it's simply a matter of keeping everything in perspective.

I own a nice car, but it's a second-hand Mercedes, chosen because it's very comfortable and drives beautifully, and was one of the last 'proper' Mercs made before their standards of build quality went down the pan. I could afford a new one, but don't bother, as for the moment what I have suits my needs perfectly.

I also have a nice hi-fi, but even that is largely made up of vintage equipment, judiciously modified with high-quality modern components, in order to obtain the best of both worlds, old and new. Do you see the point I'm making?

My whole system has been assembled as a result of my OWN research and subsequent buying decisions - there isn't one item that was bought through being influenced by the effects of marketing, peer pressure, or the desire to own the latest 'must have' toy. And that's because I insist on being the only one who influences or controls what I buy! I've always been a leader, not a follower - that's either in your genes or it isn't :)

Marco.

[The Vinyl Adventure]

It strikes me that the emotional aspect of nostalgia is often at play with a lot of people here ...
things, and ways to do things from the past are viewed with rose tinted glasses ...
new things are viewed with skepticism ...
I could write to my good mate in Denver, or I could see his face whilst i talk to him through face time or skype ... I know its not for everyone ... but for me being able to do that at any moment helps keep me in touch, and allows me to feel closer to him despite the fact he is thousands of miles away
thats not a necessary thing, we could do with out it ... but instead we chose to embrace what technology has given us!
I might be sucked in to this world of technology ... but im still capable of making choices, i still see when marketing is bollocks ...
I buy stuff that i think will enrich my existence!
and i may become reliant on it ... but who cares?
the likely hood of it failing is very slim and if it did, and the world went to shit just because i used to have an iphone wouldnt make me and more or less capable to adapt to life without that sort of thing than someone who didnt have one ... im not a moron!

If you want to pick a market place where "advances" are bollocks look at the cosmetics industry ... I mean really, how many blades does a razor need to have???

[WAD62]

My whole system has been assembled as a result of my OWN research and subsequent buying decisions - there isn't one item that was bought through being influenced by the effects of marketing, peer pressure, or the desire to own the latest 'must have' toy. And that's because I insist on being the only one who influences or controls what I buy! I've always been a leader, not a follower - that's either in your genes or it isn't :)

Marco.

Likewise, my choice was based on functionality and cost, not advertising. I suppose ones line of work has a baring...:)

I'll go no further otherwise we'll be into brand war territory...;)

Hamish, have you seen the Moog synth for the iPhone? my mate showed me it last night, 'Filter...something', it's the first time I've been a little bit jealous :(

[Clive]

I liked this one:

The idea of placing a disc into a DVD player to watch a movie will eventually seem as outdated as placing a record on a turntable, which brings us to the next product on our list…


Whilst I'm no fan of low-end digital cameras, they have their place and the lens on some of them has to be better than any phone will ever have (ie physical, not digitial zoom). This is the way we are dragged by technology companies - massive volume for the typical consumer with low cost and performance but high convenience. Then we have a tiny niche market for specialized products. Same as with music reproduction.

[Marco]

It strikes me that the emotional aspect of nostalgia is often at play with a lot of people here ...
things, and ways to do things from the past are viewed with rose tinted glasses ...


Not as far as I'm concerned, I can assure you. Your other points are indeed valid :)

Marco.

[The Vinyl Adventure]

I have now ...
http://i728.photobucket.com/albums/ww282/hamish_gill/f9c4e5d0.jpg

£0.69p is money worth spent to piss everyone off in the office for 5 minutes! ;)

[Marco]

I liked this one:

The idea of placing a disc into a DVD player to watch a movie will eventually seem as outdated as placing a record on a turntable, which brings us to the next product on our list…


Whilst I'm no fan of low-end digital cameras, they have their place and the lens on some of them has to be better than any phone will ever have (ie physical, not digitial zoom). This is the way we are dragged by technology companies - massive volume for the typical consumer with low cost and performance but high convenience. Then we have a tiny niche market for specialized products. Same as with music reproduction.

Spot on, Clive. The brainwash only works though on those who leave themselves open to it, by always seeking to possess the latest 'desirable' toy, and worrying about being seen owning anything considered as "outdated" by the so-called 'cognoscenti'! ;)

My other favourite buzz-word, used by these people, is 'obsolete', which is often portrayed in the sense that whatever it is being referred to, is no longer of use. OBSOLETE.... Sounds scary, doesn't it? So when someone seemingly knowledgeable and important tells you that your hi-fi equipment is completely OBSOLETE, OMG (!!) what do you do?? :wowzer:

If you're a sheep, you obey, of course, run like a good little boy to Richer Sounds, and buy the latest 'must have' thingy, or a pair of AVI ADM9s and an Apple TV! :doh: :eyebrows:

Marco.

[Mark Grant]

You forgot the (free) Torch App Will :)

Tesla LED is the best I think, always useful when working somewhere dark.
http://teslacoilsw.com/teslaled/ It's bright :)

[Clive]

I mean really, how many blades does a razor need to have???
Need = 1

Optimal = 3

There really is a good reason for multiple blades but going to 5 simply panders to people who think more is better. The profit margin on these things is just about the highest for any product too.

[WAD62]

I have now ...

£0.69p is money worth spent to piss everyone off in the office for 5 minutes! ;)

...I think it's on some sort of early bird offer...looks interesting doesn't it :eyebrows:

Now then how long before a band release a track using it? ;)

[The Vinyl Adventure]

Whilst I'm no fan of low-end digital cameras, they have their place and the lens on some of them has to be better than any phone will ever have (ie physical, not digitial zoom). This is the way we are dragged by technology companies - massive volume for the typical consumer with low cost and performance but high convenience. Then we have a tiny niche market for specialized products. Same as with music reproduction.

I wouldnt say thats true in the camera industry ...
the iphone et al will replace low end cameras the quality is already good enough for a lot of people

http://i728.photobucket.com/albums/ww282/hamish_gill/IMG_2991.jpg

but look at what is now being aimed strongly at the consumer that wants a little more ...
ok expensive now, but nikon
http://www.realphotographersforum.com/content/390-nikon-1-mirrorless-camera-system-announced.html
panasonic, olympus, sony etc are all offering interchangeable lens cameras aimed solely at the consumer who wants a little more ...
then you have the super zoom compact ... they are a cut above the entry level and provide a stop gap between iphone and higher end compact ...
the camera industry is evolving to accommodate the camera phone ...
imaging sensors will always get better, lens quality in camera phones will also improve as the market demands... and demand it does!

[The Vinyl Adventure]

...I think it's on some sort of early bird offer...looks interesting doesn't it :eyebrows:

Now then how long before a band release a track using it? ;)

not long!! last time i saw fuck buttons i couldn't believe the random shit they were using ... a first gen game boy ffs

so thats musical instrument added firmly to the list ...

i suppose i could fit a jews harp in my pocket... but the plucky bit would jab in my leg ... and its a lot less versatile ;)

[Clive]

I wouldnt say thats true in the camera industry ...
the iphone et al will replace low end cameras the quality is already good enough for a lot of people

but look at what is now being aimed strongly at the consumer that wants a little more ...
ok expensive now, but nikon
http://www.realphotographersforum.com/content/390-nikon-1-mirrorless-camera-system-announced.html
panasonic, olympus, sony etc are all offering interchangeable lens cameras aimed solely at the consumer who wants a little more ...
then you have the super zoom compact ... they are a cut above the entry level and provide a stop gap between iphone and higher end compact ...
the camera industry is evolving to accommodate the camera phone ...
imaging sensors will always get better, lens quality in camera phones will also improve as the market demands... and demand it does!
Your photo is eye-catching but bear in mind that it is atypical of most peoples' use of a camera phone or P&S. Showing a photo taken with your photographer's eye distorts the truth.....

All I'm going on is what my daughter and her friends want, yes they use camera phones for facebook but they all have fairly decent P&S cameras with real zooms. Lens quality will no doubt increase in phones but will it rival multi-element zooms? Not unless the laws of physics change but now it seems possible to travel faster than light so anything can happen!

[WAD62]

You forgot the (free) Torch App Will :)

Tesla LED is the best I think, always useful when working somewhere dark.
http://teslacoilsw.com/teslaled/ It's bright :)

Doh! :doh:

and the world radio, sky remote record, backgammon, chess, cricinfo, soccer live...;)

[The Vinyl Adventure]

Your photo is eye-catching but bear in mind that it is atypical of most peoples' use of a camera phone or P&S. Showing a photo taken with your photographer's eye distorts the truth.....

All I'm going on is what my daughter and her friends want, yes they use camera phones for facebook but they all have fairly decent P&S cameras with real zooms. Lens quality will no doubt increase in phones but will it rival multi-element zooms? Not unless the laws of physics change but now it seems possible to travel faster than light so anything can happen!

with tiny sensors come tiny lenses ...
I cant see why we couldnt expect to see a tiny zoom lens ...
The iphone 4s has an apparently fairly decent 5 element lens
Samsung brought out a camera with an optical zoom on it a few years ago ...

im not doubting the longevity of compacts with long zooms ... just the 3-5x zoom ones ... they are already in massive decline!

In the shop i used to work in, when i was there we used to have a massive cabinet for compact cameras and a small one for higher end cameras and slrs ... its now the other way round! and the bigger selling compacts are, you guessed it .. the ones with 10x zoom and more!

[WAD62]

Perhaps another 'gadget' that might fall foul of the new 'smartphones' is the epad/ipad/tablet, given that the new HTC has a 1.2Ghz duo core processor, and I'm sure the iPhone has similar or more, it will only take the advent of a 'peripheral' interface, a large touch screen, and or keyboard, to allow the smartphone to supercede the tablet and or even laptop in many instances.

Lets face it a epad/ipad/tablet is really just an oversized smartphone, with reduced connectivity...I suppose it will all come down to the manufacturers in the end. :)

[Clive]

Perhaps another 'gadget' that might fall foul of the new 'smartphones' is the epad/ipad/tablet, given that the new HTC has a 1.2Ghz duo core processor, and I'm sure the iPhone has similar or more, it will only take the advent of a 'peripheral' interface, a large touch screen, and or keyboard, to allow the smartphone to supercede the tablet and or even laptop in many instances.

Lets face it a epad/ipad/tablet is really just an oversized smartphone, with reduced connectivity...I suppose it will all come down to the manufacturers in the end. :)
Motorola have presented such a device last year, it may even be on the market now for all I know.

[The Vinyl Adventure]

I agree entirely!!!
We were talking about that in the office the other day!
I have 3 PC's
my home office, my living room, my office
replace any/all of those with a dock and some sort of screen as you say and there is no need to have all that crap!
combine that with an online OS and cloud storage and all of a sudden you have a very different relationship with computers!

[Alex_UK]

IMO it's not really about evolution, or revolution - it's about convergence - which is exactly what is happening with Smartphones now replacing most standalone gadgets. Many a drunken conversation about it with mates over the years - iPhone/Galaxy etc. are now finally realising the potential.

[The Vinyl Adventure]

Convergence is a pawn in evolutions plan ...
I've drunk to much wine ... :)

[Alex_UK]

I've drunk to much wine ... :)

There's no such thing as too much wine Hamish - that's just your glass converging with your lips! ;)

(PS - hope fatherhood is suiting you well and little Connie is the apple of Daddy's eye - or should that be "i" :eyebrows:)

[goraman]

I want to add inlaws to that list with every fiber of my being,but like roaches and rats I think they will always crawl out from under one rock or another to screw with us in some unavoidable way.
Maybe not gadgets but not really fully human either so close enough.

[StanleyB]

I am glad I packed away some of my hifi gear in the late 80's that were supposed to be obsolete by 1999. Now they are worth more than I paid for them ;).