Creep, crawl or shuffle into the 21st century!

I have been thinking lately about the shifts in my own behavior as a result of technology. Ten years ago, 10/10/00, I owned a computer with Internet access and I had just purchased my first cell phone. I used the computer primarily for email, occasional web surfing and most significantly, on-line shopping which was just taking off; I remember the thrill of being able to buy new clothes without an exhausting trip to the mall. I became an instant fan of on-line shopping and as a direct result, my trips to brick and mortar businesses dropped sharply.

My cell phone I used primarily for work as minutes were expensive and the roaming charges simply outrageous! I learned quickly to use my company provided long distance code on a land-line phone when I first turned in an expense report that included over $200 in roaming charges.

Which brings me to the first area of inquiry for me today. There has been a sharp drop in land-line telephone usage in the last 5 years. Between cell phones with unlimited minute packages and free long distance, to VOIP devices like Skype, Google Voice and others that allow free communication for anyone with a laptop and a headset, the need for a land-line telephone in addition to these other devices has declined. Center for Disease Control reported that less than 5% of households were cell only. According to their studies, that number has increased to 25% in 2010. I believe that number will at least double in the next five years, reaching critical mass in less than ten years. At least that is my opinion.

Devices that fundamentally change our behavior tend to reach critical mass quickly. Think about VCRs for example. It took more than 25 years for VCR usage to reach critical mass yet it has taken Iphone's less than two years to do so. DVR usage, available since the late 1990s. has yet to reach critical mass--yet online video consumption has grown exponentially. Ipads will likely do the same within the next 12 months. Not only does it fundamentally change the way we we communicate and interact with web 2.0 but they are already ubiquitous. Watch any CBS drama and you will see the characters using Ipads within the storyline. Great product integration package on the part of Apple, I must say. Brilliant marketing will ensure the success of this ground breaking new product. But I digress.

I also read this morning about an AP reporter who experimented with going without a bank for a month. What an experience...Vs 10 or more years ago when many people used check-cashing services and money orders to manage their affairs. Today, the cost and hassle involved certainly seems to supersede any monthly fees that might be charged for checking account services.

Today, I could not imagine living without my bank, my cell phone, my laptop, my Ipad, my USB wireless adapter for my laptop, my livescribe pen oh and just whatever other new gadget comes next!!! These days I'm a sucker for killer apps and learn every day about new ones.  This is me, creeping and crawling my way into the 21st century!


Until Next Time!