DIGITAL LIFE

Coronavirus revealed which technologies are even essential

It's been weeks since coronavirus paralyzed our lives, with the closure of schools, offices and gyms. Closed at home, we have time to think about important things. Consumer technology – or much of it, at least-is at the end of the list. Many of the high-tech innovations of recent years, such as folding smartphones, connected and smart speakers or ultra-fast networks, seem superfluous at the moment in which we live.
In a crisis, the most important technology comes down to a few basic items and services. Computing resources to work and navigate. Communication tools to chat with family, colleagues and friends. Entertainment so we don't go crazy. And of course, an internet connection that allows us to do all the above things. It's pretty much all we need, even when there's no pandemic out there. It's a beautiful revelation – and more than that, it can serve as something to guide priorities in technology consumption even after this period of uncertainty.

Internet and communication
It is common for people to say that their internet is slow. The blame can go far beyond the operator. It can be on the router, for example-old models, manufactured a few years ago, may have outdated wireless technologies and do not deliver the speed contracted by the operator's user.
A lot of people want a stable and fast internet connection, but you need to invest to get it right, going beyond your carrier's plan. It is important to invest in routers, cables and other equipment as well.
In recent weeks, Zoom, a video calling service, has grown in popularity during the pandemic for two reasons: it's easy to use and we're desperate to see and talk to a lot of people now that we're stuck at home.
But the adoption of Zoom led to the discovery of the fragile security of the product, which may have allowed attackers to hijack our data and cameras. And it revealed that many of us are unprepared and do not have prepared communication tools. It's a good time to discuss about which apps meet our needs and respect our privacy – features like encryption, two-step verification for login and continuous security updates are a good sign at these hours.

Entertainment and work
So many people are accessing streaming videos in the pandemic that, in Europe, Netflix and YouTube have been temporarily forced to stream videos in low-quality formats to avoid bringing down the Internet. Even two years after its release, it's hard to get a Nintendo Switch because one of its Games, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, is being a big escape from reality for a lot of people.
We all obviously care about entertainment: we spend hundreds of dollars a year on digital subscriptions, including music and video streaming services. But many still watch their favorite series and movies on their mobile phone, using the internal sound of the boxes of the apparatus.
Life can be better and more comfortable-looking, for example, at a TV that is in fact suitable for your vision or a high-standard headset with sound insulation and audio quality. Similarly, you can understand why we need good smartphones and computers. They are tools that make us more productive and need to be reliable.

Only the necessary
The list of basic technology needs also serves as a guide for innovations that we do not need. A smart sound box, like Amazon Echo or Google's Nest Mini? Certainly, they provide a good service by turning off the lights in the room. A phone with a folding screen? In fact, it looks great. But if they don't help you work, stay connected and stay entertained, you should find other ways to spend your money.
Whatever set of equipment you choose remember to keep it to a minimum. The more technology, the more devices to have and identify problems. And remember that the chosen technology should be simple. This pandemic resurrected the humble phone call, a communication tool as good as it ever was. 

Source: Brian X. Chen/mundophone