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What is the Cause of Short Tech Life-Cycles? We Are.

Photo by John Schnobrich on Unsplash.

     Faster communication increases power exponentially in the Information Age. As the fastest, newest, thinnest, smallest (pick a word, add an -est, and you get the picture), the companies that boast such products can take benefit of supply and demand pricing, especially in the cellphone market. Surprisingly, the short-life cycle of a specific technology isn’t a topic that is widely discussed on the world wide web. Admitting to when the tech needs to be replaced is opening up an entire can of worms (unless longevity is involved). “Here! Buy our product that you will want to replace in ________ (months)!” Right, I didn’t think so. However, the knowledge that what we purchase is already not the newest technology is an ever-present fact. 

     If I may share my Apple-fascination since 2007: Waiting and hoping for specific upgrades on the Apple iPhone is a daunting task. I remember the day the iPhone was released as much as I remember tragic National events; Apple changed the world in 2007. Small masses of college students hunched over a few inches of technology; class agendas suspended to address the historical moment. I was sure the phone was a fad with its initial limitations (No music ring tones? No picture texts?) but not everyone felt the same. Apple eventually made the hoped-for changes and instead created a world of consumers addicted to the slow-drip that is Apple-ingenuity. Researching and following Apple’s patents leave your imagination and excitement on the edge of their seats while fulfillment is left wanting as market-changing novelties are few and far in between. Why? 

     “Values change. […] We are the ones that drive change,” according to Ben Scott, founder and CEO of Datum Alloys in his article, Is the Shortening of Technology Lifespans a Problem? (2018). Let that resonate with you the next time you must have ­­­­that new device, is it necessary?

Author @SaraAnnRose

Reference

Scott, B. (2018, November 6). Is the Shortening of Technology Lifespans a Problem? Retrieved May 8, 2020, from https://medium.com/datadriveninvestor/is-the-shortening-of-technology-lifespans-a-problem-bf24e6984337 

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From Creative to Innovative

     Innovation is “synonymous with risk-taking and organizations that create revolutionary products or technologies take on the greatest risk because they create new markets,” (Business Dictionary, 2020). An interesting take: tangible reward is synonymous with tangible risk, and not always the other way around. Yet, there are big companies around the world able to continue to innovate. How? What is the key difference between victory and failure with innovation projects?

    “Strategy and organizational factors,” separate success from the rest, according to authors Marc de Jong, Nathan Marston, and Erik Roth’s findings after in a “multiyear study […] of more than 2,500 executives in over 300 companies,” shared in The Eight Essentials of Innovation (2015). Similarly, author of The Culture of Innovation: What Makes San Francisco Bay Area Companies Different?, Barry Jaruzelski, speaking of his work, attributed Silicon Valley’s success to the “ability to integrate their innovation strategies with their business strategies” ("Why Silicon Valley's Success Is So Hard to Replicate", 2014). The invention may be the starting point, but there must be a working plan to carry the idea to the finish line. Remember, the hare might have been quick, but was careless and didn’t stick with his plan, so he lost his race. Stick with your plan and don’t lose your race! Innovate!

Author @SaraAnnRose

Reference

Business Dictionary. (n.d.). Innovation. Retrieved May 5, 2020, from http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/innovation.html 

de Jong, M., Marston, N., & Roth, E. (2015, April). The Eight Essentials of Innovation. Retrieved May 5, 2020, from https://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/strategy-and-corporate-finance/our-insights/the-eight-essentials-of-innovation 

Jaruzelski, B. (2014, March 14). Why Silicon Valley's Success Is So Hard to Replicate. Retrieved May 5, 2020, from https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-silicon-valleys-success-is-so-hard-to-replicate/ 

Image Source

https://www.vecteezy.com/vector-art/213868-future-robot-technology-innovation-vector-flat-illustration

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Working in State Government: Are You Prepared?

Photo by Joshua Sukoff on Unsplash

     As many of us sit at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, we can’t help but ruminate on areas of our lives to improve. Today, I was invited to a wonderful, informational interview with a person mid-way through their career wondering, “What is it like to work in state government?”. Now, I share these thoughts with you. 

     The best place to start is your state’s career website, such as Jobs.Ca.Gov for California. Apply to several open positions and often. California can take up to 60 days to offer a job to a candidate after interviews; it is best to keep applying and interviewing versus waiting. ALWAYS follow up after the interview and feel free to challenge the decisions of “Unqualified” to interview; your application may not have described your qualifications well enough so continue to improve your digital profile.

     As a disclaimer, I must profess I walked out of my government analyst job in August of 2019 with a decade of service under my belt. What tilted this decision was watching a video in the midst of completing a bachelor's program, Peter Dinklage '91 Addresses Bennington College’s Class of 2012 (Bennington), which I highly suggest watching later if you haven’t already. In this address, Dinklage compels the audience with the question, “Maybe I was afraid of change. Are you?” (Bennington). 

     I was making more than I had ever made with a pay raise on the way and promotional interviews scheduled. However, I was unhappy. With a career change in the works, I sped up my education earning a 4.0 after completed 28 units in one semester. The job is not the end goal, the task is to push yourself to your limits.

     Government jobs will pay you more than the private sector and it is my firm belief this is due to the stress-level involved. Even in an entry-level data entry position, you take your life into your own hands when you work in a correctional institution; Consumers will scream and threaten you in public service. 

     The rub is how to maneuver this dynamic field. How does one steer the waters of office politics? “Be vulnerable,” as Valerie Jarrett, advisor to President Obama, shared in “Finding My Voice”, a 2019 National Society of Leadership and Success Live Broadcast (Montclair). What does that mean in the workplace? Candid, transparent, HONESTY.   

     Integrity has both saved and pushed my services to the forefront more often than not. Two very different supervisors gave me the following pieces of advice that stuck with me through my tenure: “The better the supervisor you try to be, the bigger the target is on your back,” and “The higher up the chain you go, the better you have to be at saying, ‘No.’” My advice? Find your middle ground between this anecdotal wisdom while remaining true to your gut. 

     With any job, “Do your eight and hit the gate,” can help one remember to leave the stress at work while continuing to broaden YOUR horizons on your own. Know your strengths and work on your weakness to become a well-rounded person and any business would be lucky to have you!

References

Bennington College. (2012, June 5). Peter Dinklage '91 Addresses Bennington College's Class fo 2012. Retrieved March 19, 2020, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuEfEv0OlsY&t=4s 

jobs.ca.gov - CalCareers. (n.d.). Retrieved March 19, 2020, from http://www.jobs.ca.gov/

Montclair State University. (2019, November 4). Valerie Jarrett Shares Her Story, 'Finding My Voice'. Retrieved March 19, 2020, from https://www.montclair.edu/newscenter/2019/11/04/valerie-jarrett-shares-her-story-finding-my-voice/ 

Royalty-Free Image Reference

Image retrieved on March 19, 2020,  from https://unsplash.com/photos/5DDYHjk_KMU

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Reflecting Back

     There is a beautiful, blind innocence, seeing that new piece of technology for the first time. “What does it do? How can I use it? Is it a fad or trend? How much is it?” as we are ready to fork over our wallets at a moments’ notice. So as not to become prey to less-than-truthful advertising, we must research the pros and cons of inventions. Before DeVry, I was primarily drawn toward technology, which pushed the limits of UX design, graphics, and animation quality. These days, implementing tech into our lifestyle is the new norm, no longer for just work and play. I’m sure I still have a kid-in-the-candy-store look on my face watching yearly keynotes, but I will not be as eager to purchase without thoroughly researching first.  

          What did I expect to learn before starting this session? The forum post, check; Lab assignment, submitted; Course Project zipped and turned in…on to the next semester. This was the beat of my drum before entering the November 2019 session at DeVry University and MDD 410 Emerging Multimedia Technology. Working hard on my grades and absorbing the concepts I was tasked to learn, the basics are essential building blocks for the future! MDD 410 was a welcome change of pace. Delving into the world of current technology and discussing the cusp of change was right up my alley as a previous data compliance analyst. Art and technology are influential in that they can open minds and change perspectives. Finding new and better ways to interact and learn is fascinating, but at what costs? Keeping current on the social changes and what advances are made in science allows for designers to open their minds while understanding the ethical implications.  

          What blew me away is the sheer volume of resources that discuss new technology. I didn’t realize how many follow technology-trends, what it means to our economy, infrastructure, and social interactions. Many of the discussions I found surrounds privacy and what businesses plan on doing with the data they collect from consumers. Some companies are taking new technology and, with minor tweaks, are streamlining business processes and increasing productivity. I have always loved new technology and pushing the latest piece of equipment to its max. I can also get frustrated when what I consider simple doesn’t work. This class taught me how best to research technology because it is likely there is something out there that does just what I am thinking needs to get implemented.

           I love purchasing new technology but never realized how much testing and thought goes into UX design. Learning about what efforts a company has gone to for better UX Design, or using sustainable materials, show more about the company and their product than sales. Many consumers are no longer just paying attention to the quality of the product; what type of company they are purchasing from is just as much of a deciding factor. This has created a vast audience to discuss what people what to see and what issues might arise with new technology. Some articles are quite brutal to modern technology, but what the product can do speaks more than doubters’ comments. Researching the tug of war between those using the latest technology and those with negative opinions about it leads to hours of reading material.

          MDD 410 Emerging Multimedia Technology has left me both optimistic about what is coming out soon but also wary. There are many different ways to have your information stolen and used without your permission; it is like walking through a minefield. Knowledge is like figuring out how big your mental library can be but, at the same time, how empty the shelves are. Learning who to follow and what bias they may have over their reviews is essential, depending on the consumer’s outcome. As much time as we spent reviewing new innovations, it makes me take a look at the full world of technology and where I see myself working. It begs the question, “What is my purpose here?” after completing a Bachelor of Science in Multimedia Design. Will I work for a company that ends up a bad review article as well? What can I do to prevent and avoid this? It is always a beautiful thing when a person is taught to think a new way.

Author @SaraAnnRose

Image retrieved by Sara Milbrodt on December 18, 2019 from https://www.pexels.com/photo/analysis-blackboard-board-bubble-355952/

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Virtual Reality: How Real Can It Get?

     Virtual reality is hardly spoken of without “That New Game” mentioned shortly behind it. The Best VR Headsets for 2019 touts the Oculus Quest as Will Greenwald’s, editor for PCMag.com, Editors choice, and leader of the VR pack (2019). Still, is entertainment all virtual reality can do for us? What if you were able to spend every holiday with all of your family members? Or finally taking that vacation, your pocketbook can’t handle yet? Once VR application options are explored, the world will see this is the start of a culture change, not just another fad. 

Author @SaraAnnRose

References

Greenwald, W. (2019, December 13). The Best VR Headsets for 2019. Retrieved December 16,2019, from https://www.pcmag.com/article/342537/the-best-virtual-reality-vr-headsets.

Image retrieved by Sara Milbrodt on December 15, 2019 from https://www.storyblocks.com/stock-image/happy-young-woman-using-a-virtual-reality-headset-hwrdanjv_zj6i6sloe

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Fad or Trend?

Fad or Trend?

     Spotting the difference between a fad and trend can save both professionals and consumers hundreds if not thousands of dollars in technology purchase mistakes. Worse, a faulty piece of equipment or code that is a core facet may become a business’s downfall. What exactly is the difference between a trend and a fad, and how can we spot the difference? Thought Leader, Karl M. Kapp shares his insight in Distinguishing Fad from Trend stating there are three ways to spot the difference (2019). Kapp says that although coming from similar beginnings, trends solve problems and needs, whereas fads are driven by a want to look “cool” and then find a need for the fad later. Consumers and businesses alike should look at the scope of phenomenon, nature of the growth and whether or not the item solves a need; trends may take a slower time to develop but they also tend to change the entire corner of a market and not just implemented by a single brand or product (Kapp, 2019). What technology changes have taken place in your lifetime? Was it a fad or trend? Let’s learn to tell the difference below.

     It is possible to say design is trendy, but this month’s compliance meeting is not going to discuss data fad-lines; there is a distinction between fads and trends. The online Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries defines fad as, “something that people are interested in for only a short period of time,” and trend as, “a general direction in which a situation is changing or developing,” (Oxford, 2019). The term trend is often used to define data, consumer goods, social concepts, changes in science, and the list continues. Notice the slight, but the significant difference with the term fad describes social attentions. Understanding what the differences are and how to spot them arms consumers with the knowledge to make better decisions on technology. Continue reading for examples of both a fad and a trend in the history of technology.

     There is a reason why 3D TV’s are not still around, and it is simple, 3D TV’s were a fad. Rob Thubron, a TechSpot editor, shares his thoughts on this in the article, Biggest Tech Fads of the Last Decade (2017). What was the problem? Manufacturers loved the TV’s, but the consumers didn’t. There wasn’t enough 3D content to sustain 3D TV sales, and it didn’t work that well, to begin with! Customers ended up with headaches and double-vision leaving their expensive TV usable only two-hours at best (Thubron, 2017). At the writing of this article, I admit to owning a 3D TV and never using the 3D content because there were extra glasses to purchase, and it seemed an unnecessary expense. To be even more transparent, I asked why we never bought a 3D TV and got the response, “Your TV downstairs is a 3D TV.” Well, guess that fad didn’t last.

     Living through trend changes is an entirely different experience as the way humans interact with the world usually also changes, depending on the trend. Watching sci-fi television shows growing up, it wasn’t surprising when Apple’s iPad was released. The public ached for a computer that was as interactive as a mobile device, but that provided more options and capabilities, replacing newspapers and laptops at once. It may be hard to see how much the iPad and Apple’s products have changed the scene so let us jump back to March 2010, only a few months after the iPad’s was released. Steven Levy, editor at Wired.com, shared this time-capsule perspective in the article How the Tablet Will Change the World, when many still thought the iPad as an oversized mobile phone (2010). While Steve Jobs claimed the iPad would change how we work on computers, not everyone felt this way. Google’s vice president at the time, Sundar Pichai, was one such doubter. “We are betting n the fact that all the user will need are advanced Web apps,” and, “In the past 10 years, we’ve seen almost no new major native applications,” in attempts to dismiss the importance of Apple’s iTunes (2010). Google might not have been prepared for what was about to take place in the next few years. Still, Google Play eventually surpassed the Apple App store in sales, according to Android Authority author, Gary Sims in Google Play Store vs. the Apple App Store: By the Numbers (2015). A tablet is used for more than just a web browser, with schools and businesses adding them to their day to day use.

     Enjoy the future of technology and your new-found ability to tell the difference between technology fads and trends that may change the world.

Author @SaraAnnRose

References

Fad. (2019). fad noun - Definition, pictures, pronunciation, and usage notes: Oxford Advanced

American Dictionary at OxfordLearnersDictionaries.com. Retrieved December 15, 2019, from https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/fad.

Kapp, K. M. (2019). Distinguishing Fad from Trend. Retrieved December 15, 2019, from

https://trainingindustry.com/magazine/issue/distinguishing-fad-from-trend/.

Levy, S. (2010, March 22). How the Tablet Will Change the World. Retrieved December 16,

2019, from https://www.wired.com/2010/03/ff_tablet_levy/.

Sims, G. (2015, April 20). Google Play Store vs the Apple App Store: by the numbers (2015).

Retrieved December 16, 2019, from https://www.androidauthority.com/google-play-store-vs-the-apple-app-store-601836/.

Trend. (2019). fad noun - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage notes: Oxford Advanced

American Dictionary at OxfordLearnersDictionaries.com. Retrieved December 15, 2019, from https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/trend.

Thubron, R. (2017, January 30). Biggest Tech Fads of the Last Decade. Retrieved December 16,

2019, from https://www.techspot.com/article/1321-tech-fads/.    

Image Citation

Image retrieved by Sara Milbrodt on December 15, 2019 fromhttps://www.storyblocks.com/stock-image/retro-connection-icons-hpsoqvsqdzj6goaccu

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5 Top Sites to Keep Current on Emerging Tech

Photo by Alex Kotliarskyi on Unsplash   

    That new piece of tech you just purchased? It’s is already outdated. While telecommunications companies release the next smartphone, another is already in the works. Patents are filed years before products are available for purchase, and updates are released to fine-tune products with increasing quality and speed. Yet, humanity aches for faster devices and more colors; we want immersion. To satisfy this itch, how do users stay ahead of the technology curve? Check out these 5 top tech sites:

Gizmodo.com

Gizmodo.com, with the tagline, “We Come From the Future,” does not disappoint with a smorgasbord of blogs well-organized into subsections. Opening to the “Latest” section as their homepage, the user is presented with a clean and simple site that is a mix of news, user reviews, and the latest and greatest in all types of technology. A place for fiction and fact alike, one example of new technology currently showcased on Gizmodo is Uber’s delivery drone and the progress the company is making to implement the service, discussed by Matt Novak, a Gizmodo.com editor (2019). If your aim is to learn and be blown away, grab your internet-device and a comfy place to sit and dig-in.    

Wired.com

  Wired.com is a well-known resource for all things new and technical. After review, it also brings to the forefront the ethical issues surrounding said technology. Articles are written by their Wired staff on an ever-changing environment that deserves discussion and speculation; users can find it all at Wired.com. A massive following with a tech magazine as well, Wired is one to follow as it is large enough also to influence what readers believe to be necessary. Current trends show technology that assists humans in better ways with their day to day lives with the article Wish List 2019: 52 Amazing Gifts You’ll Want to Keep for Yourself. Form Swim Goggles (With Display) is one such tech breaking the water barrier and creates a “heads-up display” detailed time, stroke rate, pace, and distance for swimmers.

MITTechnologyReview.com

    MIT Technology Review is a must-add to the favorites list due to the way it presents the reader with what is happening in the world of technology. The technology that comes out maybe questionable and platforms like this allow others to discuss the morality behind the new technology. For instance, George Church’s new dating app provides users with a service to weed out potential health risks in a mate based on their health, as shared by Antonio Regalado, editor for MIT Technology Review (2019). Mind you, health is a general term as it is a gray area and not very clear what the business plans to offer. Some fear that those with dominant genes or carriers, this app would preclude them from dating anyone at all as they have a 50% of having a child with those dominant traits. These are serious topics to understand and discuss as the new technology emerges, and MIT Technology Review may be at the forefront of those conversations.

TechCrunch.com

           Similar to the feel of an old newspaper, the viewer is pleasantly greeted at TechCrunch.com with short articles with promises of more. Getting lost in the world wide web is a pastime many can admit to, but a website that does not dd to the confusion is a great start. Regurgitated data has a bias, and it usually is very evident in 2019 article titles. However, Techcrunch.com is a relief to the eyes and brain alike. There are minimal advertising and design and bias in the article headings. If anything, reminiscent of the “news” one used to read or watch in the 1990s, which facts first and opinions later. Attempting to choose one technology to share was difficult for this reader as the website touched on many of the technology cornerstones of today. Unfortunately, a reoccurring issue for some cities is an attack on their internet via ransomware, a threat to a city’s internet unless demands are paid. New Orleans is the latest to fall victim to one such of these attacks as discussed in  New Orleans Declares State of Emergency Following Ransomware Attack, by TechCrunch.com reporter Kristen Korosec (2019).

TheNextWeb.com

           Appealing to the shorter attention span, TheNextWeb.com is a refreshing compilation of short articles appealing to the younger adults with less of a budget to spend or time to waste. However, don’t let that fool you in thinking the articles aren’t serious, the contrary. A cursory review shows the reader current events and how technology is shaping them. David Canellis, crypto/blockchain reporter, updates readers one such update as a single province in China controls 54 percent of Bitcoin’s hash rate and they are mining it with renewable energy (2019). They can complete this morning powerful mining due to more powerful chips. TheNextWeb.com provides the reader with a global look at technology advancements and where some of those dark corners are affecting the market. These changes ultimately affect the future of technology and in the same respect, our future.

Happy researching!

Author @SaraAnnRose

References

Canellis, D. (2019, December 11). Report: A single province in China controls 54 percent of Bitcoin's hash rate. Retrieved December 15, 2019, from https://thenextweb.com/hardfork/2019/12/11/bitcoin-cryptocurrency-mining-hash-rate-china-renewable-energy-blockchain/.

Gizmodo. (2019). We come from the future. Retrieved December 15, 2019, from https://gizmodo.com/.

Korosec, K. (2019, December 14). New Orleans declares state of emergency following ransomware attack. Retrieved December 15, 2019, from https://techcrunch.com/2019/12/14/new-orleans-declares-state-of-emergency-following-ransomware-attack/.

MIT Technology Review. (2019). MIT Technology Review. Retrieved December 15, 2019, from https://www.technologyreview.com/.

Novak, M. (2019, October 29). Uber's New Delivery Drone Absolutely Reeks of Vaporware [Updated]. Retrieved December 15, 2019, from https://gizmodo.com/ubers-new-delivery-drone-has-a-battery-life-of-just-8-m-1839434537.

Regalado, A. (2019, December 12). Here are some actual facts about George Church's DNA dating company. Retrieved December 15, 2019, from https://www.technologyreview.com/s/614920/actual-facts-about-george-church-dna-dating-company-digid8/.

Staff, W. I. R. E. D. (2019, December 2). Wish List 2019: 52 Amazing Gift Ideas You'll Want to Keep for Yourself. Retrieved December 15, 2019, from https://www.wired.com/gallery/wish-list-2019/.

TechCrunch. (2019, December 15). Startup and Technology News. Retrieved December 15, 2019, from https://techcrunch.com/.

TheNextWeb. (2019). TNW - International technology news, business and culture. Retrieved December 15, 2019, from https://thenextweb.com/.

Wired. (2019). WIRED. Retrieved December 15, 2019, from https://www.wired.com/.

Citation

Image

Image retrieved by Sara Milbrodt on Deecember 15, 2019 from https://www.storyblocks.com/stock-image/emerging-technologies-bpqimmbm_-j6gnoce9