Technology: 1993 vs. 2013

Recently, my father was talking about slide projectors and 8mm film and how everything thing he used to use to view pictures and movies on was now obsolete. Even actual photographs are a rarity these days, which is funny since there are more pictures taken now than ever. If you are not on Facebook or Instagram, you may ever even see most pictures people take. 

Then I saw this picture called 1993 vs. 2013 and I had to laugh. It is amazing how many things that little device in our pocket can do. For me, it has even more meaning because back around 2004, I helped a market research technology company develop a mobile recording and streaming unit to use for in-home and remote interviews. 

This mobile unit consisted of a laptop that was equipped with our special software that enabled the interviewer to bookmark significant moments in an interview so they could quickly recall them upon review. There was also video editing software to let you create video clips with just a few clicks. The laptop was also built to stream video, as long as a strong enough internet connection was available.

The mobile unit also included a video camera, with an external mic mounted to it, along with a tripod, extra batteries, cords, power strips and an instruction guide. It all came, encased in foam rubber in a small steamer that could fit in an over head compartment or be checked or shipped to a location. It was portable, but it was certainly bulky and a bit heavy for one person to lug around along with their other bags. We'd even send out a technician to run the equipment if the client wanted some help with their project.

The mobile unit was cutting edge for its time and was quite popular with several of our clients. We saw interviews done in bars, stores and homes and it opened up a a lot of new possibilities for ethnographic research. I am very proud of it, but I am also amazed at how quickly it came and went. Now the idea of that steamer trunk is almost laughable.

Think about it... you can shoot video from a device that is smaller than a pack of cigarettes. This device can also take pictures, keep your calendar and connect you with the world via the phone, web and email. Heck, it was only a couple of years ago that Flip video cameras were all the rage, and those have pretty much gone the way of the dinosaur. It really is amazing how quickly things evolve.

I wonder what things will look like in 2023. Where can they go from here? iPhones with built in light sabers? Time machines? Flying cars?

Although I do miss gathering around the 8mm projector with the whole family to watch our home movies, and there was something fun about opening that envelope of film to see how your pictures came out, I can't wait to see what's next.