Growth of Wi-Fi coverage makes intentional “free” time more important.
Filed under: Business Investment, privacy issues, Technolgy Review
So who can remember a time when we were NOT connected to our electronics all the time. I think all of us can remember when we did not have the smartphone, the iTouch, the iPad, and all the other devices that bring communications to your fingertips 24/7 and that is an era most of us would not want to return to anytime soon. You can regularly see articles about new areas soon to have Wi-Fi installed with free access. Planes have it now along with restaurants, plane and train stations, malls, you name it. No area is off limits and a National Wi-Fi network is being discussed as you read this.
I mean who doesn’t love the immediate availability of email, calendar, sports scores, news feeds, stock tickers, apps, contacts, phone calls, I could go on and on here. I have been in many situations where I was asked for a piece of information and I was able to look it up and have the answer within seconds, previously I would have had to go to the library to find the same information within days. This is the positive. This technology was science fiction before 1960 and today we almost can’t imagine not having it. Our kids won’t remember life without it…which brings me to the negative side.
Arriving with this technology is a new ability to work more and more hours which causes families to be neglected, workers to be abused, stress and distraction to be a serious concern. I have spoken with a Psychologist who treats people who cannot disconnect and end up burned out and stressed out and don’t know how to stop. We have to become more and more aware of our tendency to reach for that phone or tablet each time it chirps to see what is going on. Maybe change the settings so you don’t here the noises and won’t rush to check it. Leave it in the car or don’t even bring it home if it is not a dire need. Laptops could be turned off but we normally leave the other devices on and that increases the “checkability.”
The world is a constantly changing place and we are always having to be aware of how it affects us and our families. We just need to make sure our priorities stay in the right order.
LightSquared debacle proves that the Government does a few, very few, things right.
Filed under: Asset Tracking, Business Investment, Cost Savings, GPS Fleet Tracking, Technolgy Review, vehicle tracking
I was very glad to see that the FCC and the powers that be in Washington finally made a good choice. While it doesn’t happen very often, every once in awhile they will make a good call on something. The towers and the frequencies that LightSquared were going to invest in would have crippled an entire industry for the sake of their own gain in the name of technology. This would not have been an acceptable plan. The Government agencies did their due diligence and came to the same conclusion which was a pleasant surprise to most I am sure.
Don’t worry, it won’t last long before they have botched another critical decision. Better enjoy this one while we can.
New Technology keeps on coming and we don’t even realize how far we have come.
Filed under: Asset Tracking, Cost Savings, Fleet Installation, GPS Fleet Tracking, Quality, Technolgy Review
How many of you remember when we only had 3 channels on the TV? How about before we had microwaves? or before we had video games, digital watches and clocks, cell phones, personal computers, calculators…I could go on and on. I remember the first calculator that my Dad bought in the 70′s for over 100.00 from Radio Shack. It only had the one line, the numbers were red, and not a digital display but more like LED lights. At the time we were amazed. Now it would be laughed at.
We have become so accustomed to new and better technology that we don’t even remember when or where we came from. It took years for technology to develop during our grandparents day and now new and better cell phones and the latest crazes come out every day and we are addicted to them. Can you imagine trying to live without your cell phone? No way. The newest iPhone actually talks back to you when you ask it a question. That is amazing to me.
How many of you remember the map? They still have them for those of you that have not invested in a GPS navigator yet. They fold up and unfold for you to be able to find where you are going. There used to be, and still is in some vehicles, an actual place for them in the front of the car. Now most of us would be using Google maps and just print the directions to where you are going but if you are caught somewhere and need directions you can still get one in a pinch. I haven’t bought a map in years. Since I have had navigators on my phone and in my car I never get lost and I love the technology.
GPS is a modern marvel and gives us so many options in life. Conveniences that our parents and grandparents only dreamed about that are now realities. As a boss you can see and monitor your assets whether hardware or software (equipment or people) 24/7 and never be out of the loop. Here at Team TSI we are a huge part of making that a reality for people. www.team-tsi.com/fleet.htm
I wonder what will be over the horizon for us and technology. How much longer before Star Trek-esque things begin to happen.
I can’t wait to find out.