Yesterday afternoon, I had to show properties for a few hours, and my wife kindly took the opportunity to take our four kiddos shopping for a Father's Day gift. Her destination was Fry's Electronics. If you're not familiar with Fry's (I have no idea if they are nationwide), it's basically a giant warehouse with every gadget, game, and TV that you can imagine. They sell phones, and speakers, and computers, books, CD's, c
ables, you name it.
It's one of my very favorite stores. Frankly, it's difficult for me to go to Fry's without getting anything at all. This is what's known as an exercise in willpower.
While she was shopping, her first impulse was to buy me a movie or DVD series, then she realized that with Netflix, I can get pretty much any movie I want, many of which can be streamed directly to the TV from the internet, or enjoyed on the computer.
Then, she thought of getting me a CD. However, she knows that I have an iPod, which makes CD's less appealing overall since it's so easy to buy songs via iTunes.
How about a new book? Well, I have a Kindle, which has an application that allows me to read from my laptop, iPhone, or the device itself.
She settled on a gift certificate. 
My point in sharing this is to illustrate the fact that technology has completely changed the way we consume information and entertainment. I recognize that this isn't exactly an earth-shattering concept, but this was a real world example of how quickly things have changed in our household.
I remember when I had a massive CD collection, and lots of DVDs, too. Although we have steadily purged books, we still have roughly 1,000 of those in the house. I haven't counted, so it could be more.
Prior to that, we had cassettes (sold or gave them all away) and albums (kept many of those since we have a working turntable and some of the classic ones are worth money).
I guess I just find it intriguing and exciting to realize how little space we have to use to entertain and inform ourselves now. We can even screen out many of the ads on "regular" television with Tivo/DVR devices.
So, here are my questions for you:
- What item(s) other than the internet and your cell phone can you not live without which didn't exist 10-15 years ago?
- What do you foresee as indispensable 10 years from now that is in formative stages now?
I would love to hear your responses. Thanks for reading!
Originally Posted at: 210 Consulting- Social Media Advisors
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Jason, how funny is this? In 2005, my husband retired, we sold our house and bought an RV. We were traveling the country with the kids. Unfortunately, we didn't know how to keep everyone informed about our travels. We weren't on facebook then and neither were any of our friends. A website would have been great but that was a very expensive proposition 5 years ago. So we communicated through e-mails when we could but even that wasn't possible in some locations due to no internet coverage. We communicated mostly by snail mail and cell phones when a tower was accessible. Hard to believe that was just 5 years ago. That's how quickly things change.
Interesting question, Jason. I'm thinking more about what I'll miss ten years from now. Books/ magazines most I guess. I often fall asleep reading and hate the thought of sending a kindle/other to the floor.
I do think we will have implants to take care of phone connectivity. They will be water proof of course. Chat with a friend while swimming in a triathlon. There is a lot of technology with eye glasses that project images somewhere out in front of you. You might be watching that movie someday in thin air where ever you are. The trends seem to be isolating individuals as they get into everything thats available.
We could virtually meet for coffee, me in Seattle and you in Austin and see and hear each other in real time sitting in a cafe. Convenient to some...sad to others.
I love my DVR. I can watch my shows any time I feel like it and save 15 minutes of every hour.
Also my GPS; I can't seem to remember how to get anywhere any more without it.
I haven't tried a Kindle, but I just like the feel of a book. I also like to write in some of them and don't know how you can do that and flip through to see notes or highlighting in a Kindle.
Jason, I was raised with alot of TV and I really enjoy watching TV, all the great informative stations these days. I am anxiously awaiting for technology to intergrate our cell phones with our TV's, no need for remotes that only change channells, I am positive that it will happen before to long
Hi Jason, How true.
I have always weeded out old and irrelevant books and never had a record collection. I did have a number of music and movie cassettes for a time and believe I still have the last case of them somewhere but, once computers became part of my life in the late 80s, I have sought ot use them to their fullest. My only weakness for some time we CDs. My girlfriend at the time got us in to cd clubs and we quite profited on every free deal out there. I still have about 100 CDs and as I have burned them on to my hard drive, only use them as entertainment in the car.
In 2008, I scanned all my old family photos and got rid of picture frames. I now have all displayed on electronic frames. When guests come over I turn on the slideshows.
I keep current volumes of books and whatever I can get on my computer, I store there.
My BlackBerry, laptop and computer are my indespensibles for the moment. I have avoided an ipod and iphone as I am too tempted to be immersed in entertainment and maintaining it.
Jason,
It's no question for me! My digital cameras! Especially my camera phone, I spend less per month with my unlimited plan for service than I'd often spent for Polaroid film several mornings per month! Then there is the phone service that same unlimited plan cost me less than than my old ITMS phone did every 10 minutes and it instantly sends the photos!
Others might say it's my word processing program, my spell checker is truly a blessing. Now if I could just get one that speaks Mid-western with a hint of Western.
Bill
I could easily live without most Technology. Nothing in the last 10 years would I have any remorse about getting rid of. It is hard in today's world of Real Estate. But my personal life...send me back 20 years and I would be just fine!
1. My GPS saves my life when showing property in newly developed neighborhoods. How on earth did I find my way around before this device?!?
2. I have no idea. Technology changes so rapidly. You should probably ask a teenager, they seem to know everything about the new gadgets.
FYI-Two things I can't live without that prove I am a Luddite: 1. My Harmon Kardon turntable. I too am a vinyl junkie and have a few old peach crates full of records, (much to my husbands horror!) 2. My books, yes I have boxes of them and bookcases full of old style books. I just can't get behind the Kindle. Its no good for floating in pool reading on a summer day.
Uhm, Jason... The smart phone really is one of the items... Especially now that I can do anything on it.
Asides from that, the ultralight, my wide angle point and shooter - and I rarely go anywhere without a tripod (but I had one of those 15 years ago).
Nice post, I like it.
I can't live without my GPS. I love that thing. And I'm not very good at looking into the future so I'll have to leave it at that.
Jason, your wife is a smart cookie. Nothing best giving you the opportunity to select what you want. After all, who can keep up with your technology demands?
BTW, congrats on getting featured as the Father on the Father's Day AR newsletter yesterday.
It's definitely my GPS. I have one that's also a PDA so I'm able to sync it up with Outlook and directions to all my friends/ family/ clients are just a tap away.
Leike Betina, I also still have my turntable set up AND in use!
What will I miss in the next 10 years? Probably print media and CD's. It's all going to be digital by then.
Jason, I saw your featured member spot yesterday and it really made me smile. I hope you had a fabulous day (after showings of course). I actually had to work with clients too but scurried home to get Lee out for a fabulous brunch with our son. What did we do after - ordered new computers for the office (going macs all the way) and I finally ordered my iPad that I won here in AR.
My most indispensable gadget - the GPS as Craig mentions and I bet that iPad once I get started on it!
LOL Thats funny because we go through the same thing with my Father in Law. Once he wants something, he goes out and gets it. So we usually have to be very very creative with our gifts... some things have been brought back to the store after we visit him... cant win them all.
Jason, Very thought provoking. Hmmm. Does my program-able coffee pot count as technology? I love waking up to a freshly made pot of coffee.
I'm afraid that real books could disappear and I just don't want to read from a computer or IPad or whatever those things are. I want to turn real pages and smell the ink. I hope books won't be one of the casualties of technology.
Hi Jason! Oddly enough, my youngest, home from college has been unable to find a summer job yet. So, everyone in the family has him doing 'honey-do' list items for them so that he can earn gas money to continue to apply for jobs. I had this brilliant idea that our attic, full of books, old clothing and nic-naks, is a great place for him to help me out--de-cluttering my attic!
So, today, he brought down box after box of books that have moved from TWO homes, straight to the attic! We had a blast looking through them--it was like Christmas all over again! Ray & I both do alot of reading online and have not bought many books in the last couple of years. We both have books worth re-reading this evening, then we're off to the church with TONS of them to sell at their yard sale. I'm sure they won't bring the price that they once would have because of technology but, there's just nothing like the feel of a book in your hand when you're sipping lemonade on the patio!
Jason
Have something simlilar here in Wisconsin; everytime I go in the place I wind up walking out with something different
My digital camera is a huge part of my life -- personally and professionally. Fifteen years ago when I had my first child, I was a regular at the camera store always bringing in a roll or two of film to be developed. Now, the camera stores are closing their doors, but I'm taking just as many photos, and they're even better because of all the editing I can do.
Jason,
Gosh.....good question. Probably my digital camera...and wide angle for sure.
Jason,
I really appreciate my camera and GPS. But I could live without any of it - even as a real estate professional. In fact, I've reminded several struggling family members that Internet via phone is a luxury as is/are ITunes.
Well I came here thinking I would say my Kindle but I have to say I use my IPOD more than anything else. My IPOD is on for hours every single day. A very close second is my GPS. I do love my kindle and use that every day too.
Jason:
#1: Maybe my flip video camera, which makes it so easy to shoot neighborhood and house web videos.
#2: This is tough, with technology changing at the speed of light, I think the dominate thing 10 years from now won't even be a concept for 5 more years! =)
The internet and my cell phone. I am attached at the hip!
I have to say my Kindle and my coffee maker that grinds the fresh beans and drips down into the thermal carafe to welcome me to a new day!
Yes, I'd agree on the GPS. I'm driving to appointments all day and I'd be lost without it - literally. Great engaging question.