We’ve all seen how the laptop replaced the typewriter, how CDs replaced vinyl records, and how digital cameras replaced film cameras. The march of technology constantly makes certain types of tech obsolete. Presented here are 10 tech items that will become obsolete sooner or later.

1. Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) TVs

Today everyone buys flat screen TVs. It’s either plasma or LCD. The only CRTs you’ll see are in the homes of people who bought one many years ago and are waiting for them to break down before buying a new TV. I have one in my living room. It still functions well despite being bulky so I’m not replacing it yet.

2. Landline phones

Our mobile phone penetration rate is over 100%. That means some people have more than one phone. With mobile phones being so ubiquitous there is less and less a need for landline phones. Also, many broadband packages today come equipped with a VoIP phone. After I got Unifi installed in my home, I cancelled my landline as I get a free VoIP phone as part of the package.

3. Standalone HD camcorders

There are two main uses for digital video: Home use and professional use. For home user, mobile phones are more than adequate for making YouTube -type videos to share on the web or through Facebook . For professional use, more and more film-makers are using DSLR with HD capabilities. Canon has led the way in this area but other manufacturers are jumping on the bandwagon and soon all high-end DSLRs will have HD video capabilities.

4.  Desktop PCs

NONE Nowadays with laptop prices dropping and with tablets and even phones having strong computing capabilities, there is less and less a need for desktop PCs. Even people who want to have something permanent on their desks are beginning to use big laptops as desktop replacements.

I use a 15-inch laptop as my desktop replacement. It’s on my desk almost permanently, so I've actually taken out the battery and just run it on electricity from the mains. Yet there is the flexibility of moving the computer very easily to another room or kitchen if I want to.

5. E-readers

The writing is on the wall for standalone e-readers like the Kindle. With the flood of Tablets entering the market, it’s just a matter of time before dedicated e-readers will go the way of the Dodo bird. The Tablet can do everything the e-reader can and then some.

6. CDs, DVDs and even Blu-Rays

CDs are fast becoming obsolete with the ubiquity of MP3s. Now, people store their music on hard drives and digital music players than CDs. DVDs are fast being replaced by Blu-Rays but even the latter might go extinct once broadband become ubiquitous and super fast. People will then just stream or download movies from the Internet.

7. Standalone digital music players

Digital music players like the iPod are fast making CDs obsolete but these digital players themselves are also on the way towards becoming obsolete themselves. Just as smart phones have made the standalone personal digital assistant obsolete, they will do the same for standalone digital music players. People will just use their phones to store and play music on the go.

8.  CD-based software

NONE Today more and more people are downloading their software off the Internet. Apple has announced that it will launch an app store for its MacBook Air to complement its app stores for iPad and iPhone. This will mark the beginning of the end of CD-based software.

9. Fax machines

It’s amazing that fax machines are still around and that some organizations still insist on using fax when digital faxes are available. Not only that with digital documents you can incorporate electronic signatures which are very secure.

10. Keys

The notion of a keyless entry into your home is something quaint but think about it for a moment. Most people today get into their offices using an electronic card. If you go to a high-end hotel, the way you get into your room is the same as into a car. And the new high-end cars all come with keyless systems where you just hold a device in your pocket and press a button to start the engine. In time physical keys will be replaced by cards and other devices.

 

 

 

OON YEOH’s new social media book ‘ Like Me, Follow Me ’ is published by MPH. You can connect with him via Facebook and Twitter .