Very few people will dispute that one of the most significant impacts on our lifestyles has, not from the invention of a new device, but from the improvement on an existing product. We're talking about something that we all carry with us and use for hours every day.
Smartphones took the idea of telephones, cameras, portable music systems, and computers and created a product that encapsulates all of these functions in one device. The designers used innovation and advances in technology to solve multiple problems at once.
We're not sure what future invention could rival this technological leap. However, we know that it has inspired other great products that have already arrived, or are about to make a big impact on people's lives. We take a look at some contenders that embrace the spirit of combining existing technologies in innovative ways.
In Business
Much like the smartphone, the development of a technology that is affordable and that can be rolled out to businesses of any size has changed the way we operate. It is increasingly common for us to want to pay by card or by smartphone, but in the past, that wasn't available everywhere.
Technology has transformed the use of POS systems in restaurants and retail outlets. The impact on retail sales has been considerable. Many stores are now able to streamline all of their business practices through their POS system.
It gives them the opportunity to manage stock, sell products, check buying history, and merge with eCommerce. To achieve this, Lightspeed HQ recommends using both software and hardware that "integrate seamlessly" for an "unbeatable suite of retail solutions."
At Home
Smart home technology harnesses and enhances the existing tech in your home to make everything easier and more efficient. Generally, this is done through a smart home hub, but there are wall switches, remotes, and smart outlets that can be used too. They use another great technological innovation, WiFi, to give us one point of contact for all the gadgets in our home.
Smart appliances or those plugged into smart outlets are joined with the hub, giving you the chance to activate them using an app. You can even create your own scenarios using IFTTT. If This Then That is where a change in circumstances triggers another action that you have pre-determined.
We can dim the lights, turn up the heating, play our favorite songs, and call a cab. This is done through voice assistants, apps, or smart switches in our home. The convenience factor can't be overestimated here.
At School
AR technology will have so many applications across many fields, but one of the most exciting ways we have seen it used so far is in the Merge Cube. Simply put, it is a digital canvas that has countless educational and entertainment uses.
The black and silver Merge Cube is a relatively inexpensive product that works with apps on smartphones that use the phone's camera to read the distinctive patterns on its sides. The fact that phones are everywhere and that this product is affordable makes AR technology accessible to many, and the impact on learning is considerable.
This cube hasn't yet fulfilled its potential as it is reliant on apps that can make the most of it. However, we believe this is one to watch for the future.
The Bottom Line
The advances in technology that we have seen so far have inconceivable knock-on effects for what is possible in the future, Just through the invention of the telephone, WiFi, or augmented reality we can be inspired to innovate new products that will continue to benefit us all, and impact our lives in every way.
