5 Life-Improving Technologies

Quick. Name 5 technologies you’ve purchased over the past 5 years that improved your life.

Yeah, I struggled, too.

I purchase tons of technology every year but adding the condition that my life was improved – well – now the list narrows. Here is my list and the reasons why my life was improved.

Number 1: Apple iPhone 3GS

No, not the previous iPhones. Only the Apple 3GS meets the criteria of improving my life. Previous versions felt more like beta products but the latest version with the latest OS provides a steady stream of contact information for me.

Reason #1: Text messaging
My daughters check in with me from college everyday. I receive text messages from my family and friends – and enhance these messages with images of what is happening.

Reason #2: Financial planning
Several apps exist for me to watch where I am spending money and how close I am to reaching goals. Just the other day I caught a credit card company attempting to backdate two overlimit fees after I’d paid off the credit card.

Reason #3: Entertainment
Apps include places to dine, movies available in the local theaters, and a great application for keeping track of my golf swing.

Without a doubt, my life improved with the purchase of the Apple 3GS. If you are into the Android and expecting big things from it – just remember that my list is actual products in my hands today.

Number 2: TabletKiosk Slate PC

There is no doubt that this made my life very easy. I can hear the groans of the haters right now. But don’t rush to judgment. The Tablet PC is a full computer, operates quickly, and can be used as if it’s just a desktop. Haters usually point out that they own a 5-year old Tablet PC – and it never worked. Well, yeah. Early Tablet PCs were not great. In fact, some of them down right sucked.

Reason #1: Dissertation
After spending 4 years researching and writing a dissertation, the slate made my work easier. I was able to keep articles within OneNote, keep notes handy, and write the document all with the pen. The truth is that haters of the pen technology just never gave it a try with something important. However, I can tell you from personal experience that the pen is much better to edit and comment on long documents than the keyboard.

Reason #2: Lesson planning
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had an idea and needed to just write something down quickly, maybe a link or two in the browser or just scribbling nonsense down. Since the Tablet PC and I were hooked together for years – launching applications was quick and easy.

Number 3: Targus Wireless Presenter

No seriously. As a teacher, I can’t stand PowerPoints but see them as the fastest way to quickly provide information to the most number of students. Yes, some students fall asleep – but that’s why we place zeros in grade books. This is also why the wireless presenter made my life easier. This simple gadget allows me to stand anywhere in the classroom (e.g., next to the Knucklehead who wants to sleep, draw, or text). The personal stress of having to deliver PowerPoints really lowered with this product.

I purchased my own projector for the classroom and it almost made the list. The problem is that the cost is fairly high for something that should be ubiquitous in the classroom. Maybe I was just annoyed by the fact I purchased my own.

Number 4: Wireless-N Broadband Router

This just had to be on the list. Whenever I’m home, all of my computers and family iPhones route through this baby. Previous to these wireless devices, I was tied to a desk. Now, I must admit that setup for early versions sucked. The latest wireless-n devices though from Cisco installed without a fuss. Now, I am free to roam my home – remaining on the internet.

Number 5: HP TouchSmart

Reason #1: Screen size
I’m getting old and my eyes just get too tired to see small things. My glasses don’t help while reading a computer screen and there are times I need to just take off my glasses. The HP TouchSmart has a large enough screen that I can use 1900 x 1200 resolution and not squint. Two MS-Word documents can be open side-by-side and I can quickly read them, edit them, etc.

Reason #2: Windows 7 RC
I installed the Windows 7RC on this computer – and slowly migrated all of my website work over to it. The other machines have Vista installed. While some haters complain about Windows Vista – eh – it worked – and was far better than Windows XP for the Tablet PC.

Now, the TouchSmart was purchased from Sam’s Club at an extreme discount. The unit was the demonstration one. The mouse cover was broken and so I ended up with a $300 discount over a new one. The system turned out to be less expensive than purchasing a desktop and new monitor. Maybe this biased placing this as number 5 over so many other items I’ve purchased.

After scanning this list, maybe you’ve noticed some things not on there. Years ago I would have placed Linux at the top. Last year I might have placed my HP color Laser printer – but when it stopped working – oh – what a hassle. Another item not on my list is the simple connectivity to the internet through cable – at speeds much faster than DSL. I also didn’t list stand alone software. MS-Office 2007 would make a software list. Social services are also growing in importance, for example, FriendFeed is still a great source for relaxation. Heck, just yesterday, Zee helped with some plugins on this site. Maybe you are curious about Twitter. Why isn’t Twitter on the list? Twitter does not improve my life. I don’t get value from it yet. I’ll still try – but the reality is that it seems like a sink hole, a time waster.

Go ahead, what are your top 5 technologies that improved your life? Please take some time and explain why your list is the same or different from mine.