| Almost every week, we have news about the latest | | | | jogging or driving or even shopping. Then came the |
| technological gadgets being invented and made | | | | Discman, an improved version that used compact |
| available in the market. We usually think of gadgets as | | | | discs. The latest, as we all know, is the very thin and |
| something portable and handy and that which can | | | | handy iPod. This small device has, in fact, several new |
| make our work faster and easier. Remember the | | | | models already available in the market. This time, the |
| robot or perhaps, Gadget Boy? | | | | iPod stores MP3 music straight from computers. |
| Gadgets for all aspects of our daily life are | | | | Just last September 12, Apple introduced the 2G iPod |
| everywhere and admit or not, they are very useful. | | | | nano and an updated 5G iPod. The second-generation |
| The young professionals or yuppies as well as the | | | | iPod nano is said to have more storage capacity and |
| "techies" (technology buffs) are normally the first | | | | comes in multiple colors. |
| people to take advantage of the latest gadgets in | | | | Where is it going? |
| town. Let's see what they have been using so far, | | | | But what's this IDC (a leading company that offers |
| particularly the handheld devices. | | | | technological media solutions) report confirming a |
| Most patronized | | | | decline in worldwide shipments of handheld devices in |
| The mobile or cell phone is, perhaps, consistent for | | | | early 2006? Based on IDC's Worldwide Handheld |
| being the most popoular and useful tool for people on | | | | Overview, the worldwide market for handheld devices |
| the go. With this handheld gadget, people can be | | | | began 2006 with its 9th consecutive quarter of |
| reached anywhere they are and you can call home | | | | year-over-year decline, down 22.3% from the same |
| too from any location. Cell phones can do so many | | | | quarter a year ago. This, despite the incorporation of |
| things these days - browse the Internet, play video and | | | | features like Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, expandable memory and |
| music, provide directions, take videos and photos and | | | | GPS solutions. Manufacturers and vendors, however, |
| more. Its usefulness is definitely proven. In fact, there | | | | continue to look for ways to keep their products |
| have been so many enhancements to this gadget | | | | saleable by appealing to first-time and core users. A |
| from being just a plain mobile phone used for voice | | | | research analyst with IDC's Mobile Markets team said |
| messages to being a camera and video phone with | | | | many people are wondering if this trend will go on and |
| voice recorder to boot to being an FM radio and a | | | | for how long or will a reverse be possible. But one |
| mini-laptop. And now comes the world's first mobile | | | | thing's for sure, he adds, "the market will eventually hit |
| GSM watch phone created by an Australian firm SMS | | | | a size where the rate of decline will slow to a |
| Developments Ltd. It looks like a sports watch but with | | | | sustainable level." That size has yet to be determined |
| full voice and SMS capabilities. Pets, too, have their | | | | but will be sustained by the core users of handheld |
| own cell phones now. The PetsCell is a waterproof | | | | devices as well as the enhancements found on these |
| mobile phone that you can attach to your dog's collar. | | | | gadgets. |
| Your dog then is assigned his own number so if ever | | | | A book entitled "Our Own Devices" confirms that |
| he gets lost, you can call him too. | | | | users are actually great innovators as they find |
| The Palm Pilot, since its invention ten years ago, has | | | | purposes for devices that their creators never |
| also been among the most used gadgets. The Palm | | | | imagined. |
| Pilot itself has undergone many changes to being | | | | Author Edward Tenner said that as technologies |
| today's Treo 650 and 700. The Palm company says it | | | | advance, demand for new ones go up as well. He |
| has sold more than 34 million devices including 3 million | | | | pointed out that it's the interplay between technologies |
| smartphones since 1996. Reports say the Palm | | | | and technique, skills and uses that determine the life of |
| products have indeed changed society's ability to | | | | a device in the real world. |
| communicate and access knowledge. | | | | So for sure, there's really no stopping these |
| For the music buffs, first we had the Walkman that | | | | advancements in technology. As long as there are |
| allowed us to listen to the radio and our favorite music | | | | innovative minds existing in this world, more devices will |
| in cassette tapes while on the move either walking, | | | | be invented. |