Mention a “Walkman” to any millennial (anyone born after the year 1982), and chances are, they’d not heard of the term.

Indeed, what was once the most commonly produced and used compact music player, along with its music delivery counterpart ― the cassette tape ― has now been rendered obsolete, in just about three decades.

This simple example is a mere snapshot of how quickly our world is changing, thanks to technology. We’ve got more examples of how gadgets have evolved over the years…

1. Mobile phones
Remember those huge chunky brick-like phones your dad used to carry? In 1983, the first portable mobile phone cost more than $2,000 a piece. In a matter of years, these evolved to trusty Nokias (who didn’t love playing the game Snake?), and before you know it, our must-have gadget today is the smartphone, that allows you to do anything from surfing the Web, and listening to music to taking high-def videos.

2. Music players
Walkmans and cassette tapes evolved into CD players and Discmans, and later into MP3 players. These days, even iPods are uncommonly used, as many prefer to download tunes from Spotify, a digital music service that you can access from your phone or computer, create your own playlists, or even access readymade ones to suit your every mood.

3. Television
From the black and white, dial-controlled TV days of the 1940s, to the coloured CRT TVs of the 1980s, the world of television has changed swiftly. These days, you’ll watch hundreds of channels on your widescreen LED SmartTV in high definition, and perhaps even catch a 3D movie for that full-blown sensory experience right in your own home.

4. Data storage devices
Gone are the days we used to use floppy disks with a (gasp!) 1.44MB storage capacity ― this wouldn’t even have the capacity to store a decent smartphone photo today! 2Tb portable hard drives are the norm these days ― but some people prefer to store, manage and process data in the virtually unlimited storage available in a cloud instead.

These days, a 3-year-old can use a super-slim high-powered touchscreen tablet like a pro, just by swiping his finger.

5. Alarm clocks/ watches
Telling the time has taken on a whole different meaning. While antique pocket watches were the norm in the 18th century, the wristwatch soon gained popularity in the early 20th century, since it melded function and fashion. Yet, in an age where we often use our mobile phones to tell time and as an alarm clock, we start to wonder, is it even necessary to wear a timepiece? If you do get a wristwatch, why not get a smart one, since it’ll allow you to access WiFi and Bluetooth to seamlessly connect with your other devices, plus, help you get fit?

6. Gaming devices
In the 1970s, the world of video gaming was brought into the comfort of your own home. Thanks to Atari, you could enjoy a basic virtual game of table tennis. Fast forward to the 1990s and the new millennium, we see the coming (and going) of console gaming systems like Sega Genesis and the Sony Playstation. These days, you can get fit on your Wii, play Halo with friends halfway across the world on your Xbox and access an entire digital game library on your PS4.

7. Computers
If you tinkered with computer systems before the advent of the Internet, you’d probably remember typing in a command like “DIR” to access the contents of your computer’s directory. These days, a 3-year-old can use a super-slim high-powered touchscreen tablet like a pro, just by swiping his finger.

8. Cameras
The first camera was invented in the 1800s. Called the “Kodak”, the box camera came with a fixed lens and a single shutter speed. Then came Leicas and Polaroids, film cameras that required you to buy film and then develop the final photographs from negatives. These days, you can take your pick from quick and easy portable digital cameras, or high-end DSLRs. Most smartphones come with highly efficient camera functions. The iPhone 7, for example, boasts two (wide-angle and telephoto) 12-megapixel cameras.

The way consumer technology is evolving is an exciting yet possibly nerve-wracking phenomenon for kids and their parents. Needless to say, our children need supervision to grow into adaptable and flexible young adults who can meet these changes, so that they can carve out relevant careers in the future.

To learn more, so that you can help your children be better prepared for new careers, come and be part of SMARTgen Asia. Your children and you will be inspired by the endless possibilities the future has to offer when you attend this first-of-its-kind event in Asia.

Junior won’t just learn new skills at SMARTgen’s workshops, you can take part in power-packed seminars, where Singapore’s top tech movers and shakers will share secrets of their success. There’ll also be panel discussions revolving around innovation, success, technology and entrepreneurship that are aimed at motivating and inspiring youths and parents.

SMARTgen will also host various keynotes and seminars where the top tech movers and shakers will congregate and share their success stories, in addition to how technology is changing the world we live in. There will also be panel discussions revolving around innovation, success, technology and entrepreneurship aimed at motivating and inspiring youths and parents.

Join us and prepare your child for a 21st century career. Get valuable advise from top industry players from Facebook, Google, LinkedIn, TripAdvisor, Uber and more...

We hope to see you at SmartGen 2018!

#SMARTgen #TheFutureisNOW #GetAGripOfOurFuture #SmartGen#TheFutureisNow
#OurChildren#Ourfuture

Photos: iStock

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