Illustrator: Dondy Razon

With technology now embedded in virtually all aspects of twenty-first century life, it can be hard not to become dependent on it. We use it for everything: checking the weather, paying bills, keeping in touch with friends – the list is endless. With a steady stream of newer, faster and smarter gadgets constantly entering the marketplace, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to stay current when it comes to technology.

So how have we, the consumer, fallen into this perpetual cycle of updates and upgrades? Perhaps the answer isn’t that people are unsatisfied with current technology, but more so that they are curious about what else is possible. It is this curiosity that keeps things fresh, current and on trend. It’s what drives innovation and keeps us from growing stagnant as a society.

Take the world of fashion for instance. Imagine if what’s ‘in style’ constantly stayed the same. Not only would people quickly grow tired of wearing the same thing day in and day out, but it would also kill the fashion industry. The world of technology is similar. A fashion show is really no different from the Worldwide Developers Conference – the point is the same: show consumers something shiny and new, get them excited, and most importantly, get them to buy stuff.

What makes the technology industry different is the speed and nature of innovation. It is constant, exciting, and often, revolutionary. Napster, Facebook and iPads have all changed how we think about and consume technology today. They’ve also had a profound impact on shaping the technologies of the future. It is these future innovations that will inevitably render today’s revolutionary products into tomorrow’s status quo.

As the wow factor of our current gizmos and gadgets steadily diminishes, we’re left to wonder what the next update will have in store for us. Maybe product x 2.0 will be a bit smaller, slightly faster and available in three more colours. Or maybe, it will be like nothing we’ve seen before. Regardless, it’s probably a good idea to get on the waiting list.

Tags: Innovation, Technology, Update, Upgrade

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