Accessibility and the Tech Overload
Technology has advanced significantly, becoming more accessible and convenient. I remember needing multiple devices to do the job that now my smartphone alone can do. Over the years, I’ve enjoyed experimenting with so many devices. But lately, I’ve started to appreciate how we can now rely on fewer gadgets to do more.
Technology wasn’t always something easily accessible to me, mostly because my parents couldn’t afford it. I was probably around 3 or 4 when my parents brought home a computer; I guess they had gotten a good deal for it at a garage sale. At such a young age, I was fascinated by it and wanted to click all the buttons and turn on the screen. My parents told me they had to take it in to get fixed and they were going to add a whole bunch of computer games for me to play when we get it back. Week after week, I asked for the computer but I never got it. Eventually, I understood—it was never coming back. Turns out, my parents had to sell it to make ends meet.
Eventually, we got a family computer (or maybe it was my sister’s), and I remember finally playing those games they had promised. I was older this time, though and I was starting to recognize the impact that technology could make.
Growing Up With Technology, Literally!
A few years later, “out of necessity and emergencies only,” as the contract stated, I got my first cell phone. As you know, I’m a hoarder of documents, and I still have the contract for that first phone, which outlined some very important things to consider like: taking care of my device, limited minutes, no calls after 10:15 pm, no internet access, and more. I’m thankful to my sister and parents for making me aware of these things at such a young age.
As time went on and things got a little more stable for my parents, they found ways to reward me with more gadgets. After my Motorola Rizr, I got a Palm Pre, which I absolutely loved. In middle school, I moved on to a Sidekick LX and then a Blackberry in high school. Eventually, I upgraded to an LG Android, and later, iPhones—starting with the iPhone 4, followed by the 8, 11, 13, and now the 15.
Accessories soon became part of the mix, making my tech experience even more integrated. Once I got an iPhone, I was desperate for wearable tech like the Apple Watch and eventually Apple AirPods. These accessories, small but mighty, became as much a part of my life as the phones themselves.
My Influential Gadgets Growing Up
As the years passed, the technology transitions became even more apparent. I grew up with MP3 players and iPods and now use Apple Music on my iPhone. Accessibility has changed so much. I mean, what can’t we do on our smartphones nowadays? We can pretty much do everything—from writing papers and sending emails to watching streaming shows, taking photos, managing social media, playing games, and so much more!
And my tech journey didn’t end there. Due to school and college, I always had a working MacBook and even a Mac desktop, as my dad truly supported my passion for editing photos, I mean—writing long college papers!
Photography has always been an integral part of my life, and over the years, I’ve collected a range of cameras. My Nikon D3100 and later my D5300 were my first true introduction to DSLR photography, allowing me to capture moments in ways I’d never been able to before. I’ve also invested in a mirrorless Sony A6300 and the GoPro Hero 8. The possibilities for my photography have always been limitless.
Today, the way we capture and share photos has changed drastically. With just our smartphones, we can take stunning pictures, store them on the cloud, and instantly access them from anywhere. The convenience of sending photos directly to our phones, editing them on the go, and even sharing them with friends and family in an instant shows how far we’ve come. While I still cherish my heavy duty cameras for certain shots, it’s incredible to think how we can now do so much with the devices we carry in our pockets.
The tech doesn’t end there, it also applies to gaming. Now, there’s Virtual Reality and a whole bunch of other stuff that I refuse to get into. I only recently was gifted a Nintendo Switch (thanks lovey xo) to spoil my inner child that reminisces on the days of playing NintenDogs on Nintendo DS and Rock Band on Xbox 360.
The Convenience of Today’s Tech
Today, technology is literally at our fingertips. Plus, it’s become much more acceptable for kids to interact with tech—especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, when kids were doing school virtually. It’s no surprise that the younger generations are now learning to use devices at such an early age. I’m constantly impressed with how my nephews know how to change the streaming network or search for something using voice-to-text.
Looking back at the fine print of my first cell phone contract, I can’t help but reflect on just how far we’ve come in terms of accessibility and convenience. Back then, we lived in a world where tech was a luxury, and every device served its own specific purpose. Now, smartphones have evolved into the ultimate all-in-one device. It’s wild to think that today, we rely on one gadget for nearly everything: from our personal, professional, and social lives to managing our health and homes.
