How the Evolution of Tech Led to 5G

When it comes to quickly changing and ever-evolving products, it is hard to beat the technology industry. No matter how old you are, you don’t have to think back that far to remember some seemingly antiquated tech device that is now faster and better than ever.

With this in mind, let’s look at a few types of technology that we used to take advantage of, and how they have evolved over time to what we use today:

Watching movies at home

Twenty years ago, if you wanted to watch one of your fave movies or TV programs at home you had to trudge out to the local video store like Blockbuster to rent a VHS tape, or you had to buy it and then find a place to store it. Even as VHS tapes were replaced by DVDs and their respective players, you still had to rent or purchase the movie or TV show in order to watch it. But the era of physical videos is on its way out. Thanks to streaming services like Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime, you can select whichever movie you want to see from their huge selections and settle down on your couch to watch it, all without having to purchase an actual copy.

Telephones

Whether you remember using a rotary phone attached by a short cord to call your bestie back in junior high school days, or your first memories of a phone involve a clunky cell phone that only made calls, telephones have definitely evolved over time. In addition to doing cool things like connecting to the internet and handling all sorts of apps, games and more, advancements in technology have helped our smartphones to have really great reception. For example, as 5G wireless technology is launched, our smartphones will have phenomenal connectivity, which means driving around looking for the nearest cell phone tower and holding our phones in the air to try to get a better signal will no longer be necessary. In fact, 5G technology will deliver multi-Gbps peak rates, mega low latency and a huge capacity that will make our smartphones faster and better connected than ever.

Taking photos

Prior to 2000, if you wanted to take a photo you had to use a regular camera — either a fancier 35mm version or a cheaper point and shoot variety. Of course, you then had to bring your film in for processing to see what your photos looked like. The way we capture memories began to change in 2000, when the first camera phones were released. Of course, the first models had enough memory to store about 20 pics and the resolution was between 0.11 to 0.35 megapixels. Fast forward a decade, and our phones started to include video capabilities, panoramic photo options, increased levels of storage, touchscreen features and more. Today, your smartphone probably rivals what a professional camera can do in terms of taking crystal clear and amazing photos. The most advanced smartphone cameras have dual-camera features, the ability to take clear pics in low light, 12-megapixels, uber-fast autofocus and optical image stabilization to make sure the pictures you are taking are clear and vibrant.

Just as DVD players and the first cell phones seemed so technologically advanced, it is possible that today’s amazing smartphones and streaming services will be updated one day with even more mind-boggling features. Until then, we can enjoy the launch of 5G wireless technology, and the other great devices and services that we have, that can make life so much easier and enjoyable.