Technology has come a long way in our lifetime, and we as humans have incorporated these advancements into every aspect of our lives. From home appliances to healthcare, technology is moving at a faster pace than ever before!
Many people make fun of “techies” or those who are considered too attached to their phones, but technology truly is an integral part of most everyone’s life now.
It can be difficult to live without it because you rely on it for work, communication, entertainment, and more.
In fact, nearly one third of all adults over the age of 15 use smart phones, which means one out of three people cannot survive a few days without them.
That being said, overuse of tech may lead to mental health issues like anxiety and depression. It also makes it much easier to become distracted and lose track of time due to constant notifications and updates. All this adds up to less productive times for individuals.
This article will discuss some examples of how technology is changing the workplace, how professionals manage their phone usage, and what you can do if your job requires you to keep up with constantly-updated software and devices.
Online shopping
Recent developments have made it much easier to shop online, offering seamless experiences across various platforms. Gone are the days when you would need to use an app or have a web browser where you could browse through sites and search for products, you now can do it all in one place!
Online shopping has become very popular due to its convenience. You no longer have to go outside to find what you want, you can stay inside and surf from your couch or bed! This is especially helpful if you live far away from a destination or if there is no public transport available.
Many people enjoy buying goods online because they feel that they get better quality items than those sold at brick-and-mortar stores. Due to less overhead costs, larger companies can afford higher quality merchandise which is why most major retailers offer excellent customer service via their website.
Overall, technology has improved how easy it is to buy things online. It is no wonder that this mode of commerce continues to grow in popularity.
3D printing
When technology was very young, people could only create three-dimensional shapes by having a layer of plastic pour onto another layer. Now that is no longer the case! You can now use digital files to produce almost any shape you want in three dimensions. A more common term for this type of fabrication is called “3d printing” or sometimes just “printing”.
With modern technology, your printer takes liquid material (usually made of plastics) and layers it up using a computer program to make the printed object. This process is done rapidly and accurately due to computers.
3d Printing has become quite popular recently because anyone with a laptop and a printer can do it. It is even possible to get printers that are designed specifically for creating designs and objects such as jewelry or toys. These advanced printers cost around $100–$1,000 depending on how many features you desire.
There are several companies who have manufactured their own versions of 3d printers which makes it easy to find one close to you.
Online banking
Over the past few years, we have seen an explosion in online bank accounts! It is not uncommon to now find yourself with more options than ever before. Technology has made it possible for almost anyone to start their own business and offer financial services to others.
By offering your services virtually instead of physically, there are no location restrictions or expensive overhead costs involved. You can begin by creating an account at one of the many free web-based banking apps that allow you to transfer money, pay bills, and even check your balance.
These applications may also feature chat tools so that you can communicate with customers virtually anywhere! This is particularly helpful if you are out and about and need help paying a bill or answering questions.
Google Suite members get 1 GB free Google Drive space per person; otherwise, you can create an account using any number of other cloud storage providers like Amazon Cloud Storage, Dropbox, or Microsoft OneDrive.
For every paid plan beyond the first year, these companies will usually give you several hundred dollars as a gift card which can be used towards your next monthly subscription.
Online dating
Over the past few years, there have been many ways to meet new people online. With the rise of the smartphone, it became easy to create an account anywhere you had internet access and start browsing through profiles.
This is how most of us now find our dates – we check out someone’s profile, see that they look like they are already part of the community, and then send them a friend request.
The way that works for some is starting conversations with people that seem interesting or at least playful, but it can be tricky when you don’t know what to say. Starting a conversation by saying “hi” isn’t very helpful!
That’s why sites like Match.com and PlentyofFish come equipped with chat features. You can write something totally spontaneous without having to worry about looking stupid or nothing coming across as genuine.
And before anyone says anything too in-depth, you can quickly delete your message if you notice things going south. It’s nice to have those protections in place so you never feel obligated to make a longer conversation than you wanted to.
Another big advantage of online dating is avoiding fake accounts. Since people’t physically interact with each other, it’s much easier to verify who you talk to and whether they actually exist.
Virtual reality
Another form of technology that is growing in popularity is virtual reality (VR). This isn’t your average, plain old computer game. With VR, you are able to connect an app or program via a headset that creates a more immersive experience. Some examples of this include skiing, riding motorcycles, and even eating foods!
There are many different types of headsets used for VR, but all have something in common: they use sensors to detect when someone is looking at them and then change the color, intensity, or both depending on what content you have connected to it.
This makes it feel like there is true presence where you actually exist within the media you are using VR with.
Given how engaging VR can be, there has been a rise in uses beyond just entertainment. Companies are creating apps and experiences to help promote social interaction, improve communication skills, and enhance self-confidence.
Many universities are incorporating VR into their courses since it is such fun way to learn about subjects, such as business. A great example of this is Stanford University who is using VR to teach students entrepreneurial concepts.
Online classes
One of the most significant changes in higher education is online courses. Online courses are typically free, requiring you to have an internet connection and computer software that can access the course material and applications like Google Classroom to facilitate student-teacher communication.
Online courses were made possible due to two major developments: technology and bandwidth. Technology was needed so students could easily access their resources without having to physically go into a classroom or school where they would be charged for facilities. Bandwidth allows for faster downloads and uploads of information as well as ease of use; many websites now offer free accounts!
Overall, this change has allowed for more opportunities for people to pursue educational degrees. Many universities now offer both bachelor’s degree programs and master’s degree programs completely online.
Online selling
Another way to sell online is via website or e-store sales. A popular site that has made it easy for anyone to start selling online is Amazon.com.
On Amazon, you can create an account free with them. Once you have your account, you can choose to work as an individual seller or business seller. As an individual seller, you get a dashboard where you can manage your inventory and keep tabs on your orders.
As a business seller, you can add other sellers to fulfill parts of your job. For example, if you run out of stock on an item, another seller can supply it and pocket the profit. This is called dropshipping and there are many companies that use this model.
By using these sites, you give up control of your store to someone else. However, their downfall is that they take away part of the profits. By using these services, you let others handle the logistics and marketing for you while you focus on making money.