Multi-Functional Gadgets Can Lead To Less

My experience has been that advances in technology have led to the accumulation of devices. It appears today's technology enables us to eliminate many of the devices we have been using and attempt to do more with less. What a novel thought! Everyone would agree paper calendars, business card holders, and the Rolodex have been digitized and replaced. There may be other things we can get rid of too.

Do you have a desktop computer? When it's time to replace that computer will you replace it, or will you get a notebook computer, use a tablet, or use your smartphone? I'm guessing, most will not be replacing their desktop computer when the time comes.

Last year I purchased my first Digital SLR camera and I love it! It takes great pictures. I also have a point-and-shoot camera. It takes good pictures too, but not as good as the Digital SLR camera. I'm guessing my point-and-shoot camera doesn't take pictures that are much better than the pictures I take with my smartphone. And my smartphone lets me share my photos on Facebook or Flickr with the click of a few buttons, whereas my point-and-shoot camera requires that I put my photos on my computer before I share them. Most important of all, I rarely carry my camera around with me, but always have my phone. When that once in a lifetime photo opp comes up, its good to know I have my phone with me to capture the shot for all my social media connections. Though I wouldn't get rig of my Digital SLR, we could probably live without the point-and-shoot camera.

This is probably true about those camcorders everyone ran out to buy a few years ago. Yes my Digital SLR camera shoots full-HD video, but so does my smartphone that lets me upload the video to YouTube in a flash. Can you remember the last time you used that camcorder? Me either.

What about your iPod or other digital music player? I can load my music and all the apps on my iPod to my smartphone. Why carry around two gadgets if I don't need to? I probably don't need my iPod any more, but I do prefer to use it when I am in the gym. Still, something to think about.

I know we live in a world where our worth as a human being is often judged by the number of toys we have. I know some of you will be outraged with what I am proposing here. Look at this as food for thought. Don't run out to the trash with gadgets that are in working condition. Maybe think about what you NEED the next time something needs to be replaced. Can you think of anything else you might be able to do without? Let us know in the comments section below.