Technology is a huge part of our lives, and it's advancing quickly.
With that advancement comes increased complexity, and it can feel overwhelming to try to stay on top of the latest trends and features.
That said, there are certain technologies that can truly have a positive impact on your day-to-day life. Apps and features can help with communication, save you time, and even keep you healthier. With a little bit of practice, you'll find that many are easy to use and you may even wonder how you ever lived without them.
Here, we take a look at five technologies to explore to enhance your everyday life. Let’s jump in!
Voice Dictation and Commands
Voice dictation features enable you to write without actually typing and can be an amazing time-saver when writing text messages, e-mails, or social media posts. It's also a great way to record notes for yourself or dictate memos.
Voice command features are hugely useful too. You can ask your device to do just about anything without having to interact with it physically. For example, you can request to initiate a call, pull up directions, set a timer, or search the web.
If you’re an iOS user, you may already be familiar with Apple’s built-in voice assistant, Siri. And both iOS and Android users can choose from a range of voice assistant apps, such as Google Assistant and Alexa.
You can use voice assistants on desktop too, for example, Windows’ built-in Cortana Voice Assistant or Mac’s Voice Control.
Smartphone Payments
Using a digital wallet to pay for goods and services with your smartphone can seem a little intimidating for some. But it can offer so much convenience and is actually more secure in many ways than using a card or cash.
Online purchases can be completed with the tap of a finger or you can use your phone in place of a card at an in-store checkout. And getting started with smartphone payments is easy; you only have to enter your card details once and then you’re all set.
To pay in-store, you can get set up with apps like Google Pay and Apple Pay by following their intuitive instructions. Shop on Amazon regularly? You can save your card details on the platform through Amazon Pay so you don’t have to enter them each time you shop with Amazon or partner brands. In fact, most e-commerce platforms will allow you to do the same, as long as you’ve signed up for an account.
Instant Messaging
Instant messaging offers a quick and convenient way to communicate. Less formal than email and less intrusive than a phone call, this has become an extremely popular way to communicate. Instant messages can be sent in a number of ways including via text (SMS), messaging apps such as WhatsApp, Messenger, and Telegram, and the direct messaging (DM) features of social media platforms and other communication apps.
Indeed, there are so many popular messaging systems these days that it can be hard to keep track. The key is to pick just one or two that you use often and let friends, family, and colleagues know the best way to reach you.
Bear in mind that instant messaging can become cumbersome if used incorrectly. For example, it’s often better to send long messages via email or opt for a phone call if you anticipate a lot of back and forth.
Online Reservations
Whether you’re booking a dentist appointment, a bus ticket, or a table at a restaurant, online reservation systems can offer a high level of convenience. These systems can be confusing at times, but after going through the process once or twice, they become far more intuitive.
Plus, you can hop on at any time of day and don’t have to worry about waiting on hold to speak to a secretary or other representative. And when scheduling things like travel arrangements or event tickets, you can often browse to find the best deals.
Want to switch to making your bookings online? Next time you need to schedule an appointment or event, check to see if there’s an online option before placing the call. Most systems are set up to send a confirmation email once you’ve scheduled.
Video Calling
The use of video calling technology has skyrocketed over the past couple of years as it’s been more difficult to meet in person. Video calls are an easy way to connect with friends and family, attend virtual meetings, or even have a doctor’s consultation, all from the comfort of your home.
Of course, while many have embraced this technology, it doesn’t come naturally to everyone. Some interfaces come with a complex roster of features and settings that can be difficult to navigate.
Thankfully, video calling apps such as Zoom, FaceTime, and Google Meets are becoming increasingly intuitive.
Plus, they all offer comprehensive resources to get started. Avoiding the doctor because of an aversion to video calling? Call the office and no doubt the staff will be happy to assist with getting you set up.
While the range of new technologies available can seem overwhelming, many of them really are there to make your life simpler. And once you get started with one or two new applications, you’ll find that the learning curve will be easier for other systems.
The above five technologies all have the potential to bring some benefit into your life, so why not see what they can do for you?