Technology changing our lives

Technology is changing our lives at a frantic pace. Every year new applications and gadgets are introduced to make life comfortable and hassle-free. It is a topic of endless debate that these technological advancements have really helped human beings or made them completely dependent.

The trend of online shopping saw a new height in 2012. Many new e-shopping marts selling shoes, books, t-shirts and digital music set-up shop. According to market reports, e-commerce is set to take off in the country and Indian e-retailing sales will touch the $1 billion mark in 2013. People are buying books, shoes, and garments and even grocery items online.

Technology is changing our lives not only in the way we shop or make payments but also in the way we live our life. People do not halt at the crossroads to find their way to a restaurant or a bank. Global Positioning System (GPS) in their vehicles or mobile phones can easily direct them.

The social media has changed the way we interact with people. People may not be together all the time but they can remain in touch with their friends and colleagues on Black Berry Messenger, Instant Messenger or on social networking sites.

One could not imagine of video chatting ten years ago. Now, one can do it over phone with reasonably good video and sound quality; the cost is not high. According to a report by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), India has the second largest mobile phone user base and third largest Internet user base. The report says that the numbers of mobile and Internet users will increase when the government expands its network in rural areas. Mobile phones and tablets will overtake computers as the most common gadgets for surfing the Internet in the years to come.