The technological options available to us are largely determined by societal factors. These factors influence technological investment and innovation, and are directly or indirectly affected by government policy. In the United States, many factors affect technological options, including consumer acceptance, patent laws, local regulations, risk capital, media attention, economic competition, tax incentives, and scientific discoveries.
Communication technology
Communication technology involves the use of digital tools to facilitate communication. These tools range from computer software to mobile devices and messaging systems. These innovations make communication faster, more accurate, and less prone to misunderstandings. These technologies enable people to communicate with others from different locations around the world.
Computers
Computers are an integral part of the modern world. They have been used for decades to perform a variety of tasks, from storing information to processing that information. Today, computers are ubiquitous, with major computer systems used in business, government, and educational institutions. In the home, many people have computers for word processing, entertainment, and electronic shopping. The number of computers on vehicle dashboards is also increasing. Computers are also used in many appliances and telecommunications.
Mobile devices
Mobile devices are handheld computers that can do many of the same tasks as desktop or laptop computers. However, they differ in a number of ways. Some have a physical keyboard and mouse, while others only have touchscreen interfaces. They may also include a virtual assistant, such as Siri or Cortana, or be able to download data.
Storage hardware
Storage hardware is one of the most important factors to consider for data storage. There are several different types of storage hardware, including disk drives, SDRAM, and flash memory. Each has different characteristics and are suitable for different purposes. Some are best for primary storage and others are better suited for secondary storage. Flash memory, for example, provides random access to data without the need for mechanical parts. However, flash memory is slow and must be copied to secondary storage.
GPS
GPS technology is an extremely useful tool for many different industries. For example, farmers have added GPS receivers to their agricultural equipment so that they can pinpoint the best place to fertilize crops. They can then map out their plantations according to these regions and save valuable fertilization money. Pharmacies and health care systems hide small GPS tracking devices in their vehicles, and other businesses use GPS tracking in real-time to save money and increase efficiency.
Extended Reality
The use of Extended Reality technology is exploding, both in personal and professional settings. Although there are some processing power issues, 5G is anticipated to address these issues. Several nations have already launched 5G services in selected cities and substantial investment is underway to build out global 5G networks.