Technology That Will Vanish in The Next Five Years - Except for the things on this list that still have a use

Idiocy Abroad

Little bit of chicken fried
kiwifarms.net
Joined
Nov 11, 2019
https://www.thequint.com/tech-and-auto/technology-that-may-go-obsolete-in-5-years
https://archive.li/NaFrq

The old adage: "For new things to come, the old must die,” holds true for technology and gizmos. For new ones to come into existence, the old ones must come to an end.
Over the past few years, we have said goodbye to technologies like the cassette player, VCR and even the CRT television.
Similarly, there is technology that exists today, but might not in the coming year. We take a look at some of the tech that we might have to say goodbye to in the next five years.

1. Wired Headphones
Wired audio accessories are at an end. Just think about it, they're already killing the 3.5mm headphone jack slowly so why would anyone want to buy headphones that have wires.
Wires do present high-fidelity audio and that's something that Bluetooth still struggles with, but a couple of years down the line I am sure that problem will be taken care of.

2. Remote Controls & Switches
Today, all you have to say is “Alexa, turn the light on” and you get light in your room. This means you don't really need buttons and switches to make things work.
Nowadays, you get smart switches that can be connected to electrical appliances and controlled via Google Home or Amazon’s Alexa.
The same way even remote controls won't have a purpose soon. With most house appliances getting smarter and offering smart devices support, why would one need remote controls?

3. Gaming Consoles
It breaks my heart to know that in a couple of years we won't have gaming consoles. Only because there's a better replacement in store.
With the rollout of cloud gaming, there won't be a need to have a big box at your home. Plus, with cloud gaming services like Google's Stadia and Microsoft's Project XCloud you'll be able to play high-definition games on any device! All you’ll need is a good internet connection.

4. Digicams
Imagine, it's been almost 31 years since the first digital camera was introduced when they slowly evolved to digicams. Digicams were a rage a decade ago, but even their popularity has dipped after the introduction of smartphones which offers a superior camera experience.

5. Conventional Keys & Locking Systems
Infrared tech and biometrics have not only made your smart devices secure but it's also changed the way we open doors to our cars, our homes, and even locks.
Thanks to the mass use of this kind of technology people have the option of doing away with conventional keys which I feel is ‘key’ for the future.

6. Incandescent Bulbs
I feel the incandescent bulb and tube light have also outlived their time and even they will become obsolete in the next five years.
You see, LEDs are not only good for Christmas decorations or festive lighting. Ever since their introduction, LEDs have become the primary source for lighting everywhere as they last longer and are cost-effective.

7. 2G Technology
The 2G user base in India is dwindling rapidly and soon might be at an end soon. People using 2G in India accounted for about 70 percent in 2017 shrank to 58 percent in 2018 and is projected to disappear by 2021. With telcos also ending support and literally no smartphone now offering 2G devices, it's time to say goodbye to this technology.

8. Portable Drives
Pen drives and external hard drives are also becoming inconsequential in an ecosystem that thrives on cloud storage.
Wouldn't you want the convenience of having access to your data from anywhere on any device?
With high-speed internet paving its way into the ecosystem for quick access to data, I am sure that physical drives will be driven off the cliff.

9. DVD/Blu-ray
When was the last time you bought a DVD or a CD?
Okay, I agree I still buy game PS4 games but even those are also being sold online now and much cheaper. You can download them directly into your gaming console.
Every bit of digital content that needs to be written on DVDs can easily be stored on servers in the cloud which is why the life of compact disks is over.

10. Cable TV
The first cable TV system was created in 1948 in the US and in the era of digital TV and satellite dishes, it's been very difficult for cable to survive. Satellite-based television entertainment is now available even in the remotest parts of the country which is why the death of cable TV is inevitable.

-----------------------

This article pushes cloud computing and voice assistants pretty hard. Which of these do you think will truly go away and which will stay? Bonus points for technology not listed that could potentially vanish.
 
Last edited:
Conventional keys and locking systems going away? Uuuuh I dont think so buddy

There is still no better way to secure locks than mechanical key ways. Infrared and bio metrics are no where near the security of traditional key ways especially if you want affordable locks. Do you want a 300 dollar lock that has a biometric that is pretty good like an IPhone or do you want a 40 dollar lock that gives the same security without electronic bits that could easily go bad.
 
Was this written by some gadget obsessed tardlet? Wired headphones aren't going anywhere, cloud based storage has too many downsides to replace portable drives. Also a horrific security risk.

Those houses in Deus Ex Mankind Divided with all the smart home stuff are going to be a hacker's wet dream. Does this guy know that or are they too busy drooling over all that tech?

Cable TV is the most likely one to vanish. Or just turn into a zombie. Maybe digital cameras. The rest read like a consoomer who doesn't ask questions.
 
With the rollout of cloud gaming, there won't be a need to have a big box at your home. Plus, with cloud gaming services like Google's Stadia and Microsoft's Project XCloud you'll be able to play high-definition games on any device! All you’ll need is a good internet connection.

Still don't get who the target demo for that is. I mean, the people who would most enjoy the concept are poor people who can't afford all the powerful equipment and such, but then they can't afford the bandwidth needed for that shit either.

6. Incandescent Bulbs
I feel the incandescent bulb and tube light have also outlived their time

"I feel." I miss the days when you could tell the difference between a blogger and a professional writer.

Okay, I agree I still buy game PS4 games but even those are also being sold online now and much cheaper.
Legitimately not anyone's experience unless PSN is having a sale.
 
Was this written by some gadget obsessed tardlet? Wired headphones aren't going anywhere, cloud based storage has too many downsides to replace portable drives. Also a horrific security risk.

Those houses in Deus Ex Mankind Divided with all the smart home stuff are going to be a hacker's wet dream. Does this guy know that or are they too busy drooling over all that tech?

Cable TV is the most likely one to vanish. Or just turn into a zombie. Maybe digital cameras. The rest read like a consoomer who doesn't ask questions.
I would say even digital cameras still have a professional and enthusiast market. People love their DSLRs and phone cameras will never be good enough to replace those.
 
I think the definition of 'tech illiterate' should include people who blindly worship its latest iterations.

If you truly believe rapper earbuds, cloud streaming and Alexa will replace studio headphones, physical data storage (which cloud computing still uses) and physical switches, you simply don't know anything about technology.
 
This is a really ludicrous article. It'll take significant jumps in technology and security to wipe out "old and obsolete" tech. Does the author think that just because we're approaching 2020, flying cars are literally just around the corner?

Gaming consoles becoming obsolete because of Cloud gaming? Did this guy know that Google Stadia is a massive flop?

Netflix and Amazon Prime isn't inherently a bad idea but having multiple subscription services are terrible because of the numerous £6-10 a month payments customers have to make to truly watch everything on demand.

I still support the saying, "BUY 👏 PHYSICAL 👏 MEDIA!!👏"
 
and literally no smartphone now offering 2G devices, it's time to say goodbye to this technology
I'm pretty sure literally every phone still connects to 2G. You'd be fucked in rural areas otherwise.

It makes more sense to turn off 3G than 2G. 3G never really took off properly in ~2001 and when people started wanting it in ~2011 4G was already being rolled out and often has better coverage.
 
I would hate to have a smart house, idk how people feel privacy when their home is filled with many sensors and Alexa always hear what you say. Handymen-electrician can make you cool switches\remote control by using various mechanical and electronic relays without internet connections and data processing.
 
Literally half of the shit to replace the existing technology mentioned on this list is gimmickware that has massive security and privacy concerns. The only thing there that makes any sense to me would possibly be LEDs replacing incandescent bulbs, if only because it's the only thing on the list that's an actual upgrade and not some gimmicky phone bullshit.
 
I would hate to have a smart house, idk how people feel privacy when their home is filled with many sensors and Alexa always hear what you say. Handymen-electrician can make you cool switches\remote control by using various mechanical and electronic relays without internet connections and data processing.
If you're not using voice control then it doesn't actually have to be connected to the net. Of course that means using remotes (or your phone) which this author thinks is bad...

Another dumb thing is people using shit like IFTTT which not only makes your setup net-dependent but also adds at best a second of latency and at worst several seconds or minutes. If you setup your own server on a RPi or similar to directly hit the APIs on the hubs you get 1ms responses and no need to go via the net.

I have a smart meter from my power company and noticed that ~50% of my bill is from lighting in outbuildings. So I set them up with smart switches, motion sensors, etc. Should pay for itself within 2-3 months. I'm contemplating getting smart locks for them too so I don't need to OCD about it before bed but there's nothing that good on the market.
 
Last edited:
If you're not using voice control then it doesn't actually have to be connected to the net. Of course that means using remotes which this author thinks is bad...
I just saw that author of article said that google home and alexa would control it and the idea of that turns me off - we all know all info they can get will be send to corporations.
 
3. Gaming Consoles
It breaks my heart to know that in a couple of years we won't have gaming consoles. Only because there's a better replacement in store.
With the rollout of cloud gaming, there won't be a need to have a big box at your home. Plus, with cloud gaming services like Google's Stadia and Microsoft's Project XCloud you'll be able to play high-definition games on any device! All you’ll need is a good internet connection.

That's what shitty analysts were saying when mobile gaming became huge. Needless to say years later that prediction was one of the most inaccurate ones yet.
 
1) Nope, I'm on "Team Wired Headphones" since I prefer the option that's both cheaper and has fewer things that can go wrong.

2) I don't want a microphone on my television or cable box.

3) I hope not, I like actually owning my games. If gaming goes cloud-only then I'll only play old games.

4) I like cameras with large sensors, optical zoom, and tactile controls and never could get the hang of smartphone photography. Even for daily photography when I don't want to carry around a SLR or mirrorless, I still use a pocket Canon since it's more compact than a smartphone.

5) Again, I prefer the simplicity of physical keys where fewer things can go wrong and you only have to worry about lock pickers instead of hackers.

6) Eh, I've mostly switched to LEDs but still use incandescents for a handful of fixtures where I can't find suitable LED replacements at Walmart.

7) Don't care/no opinion. I have no desire to switch to 5G, though. 4G is fast enough for me.

Eight Cartoon Chris-chan head wearing sunglasses) God, I hope not. I only want to store files offline and I don't trust cloud servers.

9) I still buy CDs and DVDs/Blu-Ray and have no desire to stop owning media on physical formats that I have full control over and don't need to continue paying to be able to use (save for paying for electricity, obviously)..

10) Well, I mean, if he means coaxial cable TV, I wouldn't disagree, but I still enjoy watching shows on linear television via IPTV, which is pretty much the same thing as cable except delivered through Internet.
 
Back