It’s pretty much every day that a new smartphone, computer, piece of software or social network hits the interwebs…so it’s inevitable that some preexisting technologies will be redundant or rendered useless…but all of these? Check out Fox’s list of 15 technologies today’s infants will never use.
1. Wired Home Internet
Who needs it when you can have wireless?
2. Dedicated Cameras and Camcorders
Smartphone cameras are already killing the consumer point-and-shoot and the family camcorder.
3. Landline Phones
See point 2.: the mobile phone.
4. Slow-Booting Computers
Waiting for a computer to start? Yeah…no.
5. Windowed Operating Systems
The windows will be gone from Windows. Microsoft ‘s PC operating system will still exist, as will Mac OS X. But, in the next few years, we’ll say good bye to the window metaphor where each application you run is displayed in a draggable box that has a title bar and widgets.
6. Hard Drives
Today, solid state drives finally allow us to end the ancient practice of storing our data on spinning magnetic platters.
7. Movie Theaters
First, with large HD televisions going mainstream and 3D sets becoming more affordable, the average home theater is almost as good as the average multiplex theater. Second, studios and their cable partners have begun releasing some movies for on-demand viewing on the same day they debut in theaters, a trend which is likely to continue.
8. The Mouse
Besides touchpads, imagine the opportunities for motion sensored computing!
9. 3D Glasses
However, in the past year or so, we’ve started seeing a number of glasses-free solutions hit the market.
10. Remote Controls
Look, if your smartphone can unlock your car and set your DVR to record, we’re pretty certain it can change a channel.
11. Desktops
Desktop computers are great…but laptops are som much more useful for students – and even employees – on the go.
12. Phone Numbers
With the likes Skype, Google Talk and even Facebook audio chat, you can just dial someone by username.
13. Primetime Television
Raise your hand if you watch most of your shows on DVR. Sure, there are one or two primetime shows you still HAVE to watch when they air, but otherwise, DVR makes primetime available during YOUR time.
14. Fax Machines
1983 called. They’d like their facsimile machine back.
15. Optical Discs
Optical discs will last another decade or so because consumers aren’t eager to repurchase films they already own on disc and because there are still a number of old or rare titles you can’t find on cloud services like iTunes or Amazon. Otherwise, they’re out.
