What comes to mind when you think of tech? Is it the big shiny stuff, new phones, cars that park themselves, or robots doing backflips on YouTube? All impressive without a doubt, but oftentimes it’s the small things that have the most impact that are quiet and consistently making the difference in everyday lives. And generally, they don’t grab the headlines like bigger, more showstopping techs, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t worthy of being celebrated.
Let’s take a look at some remarkable tech advances that are changing life for the better.
3D Hearing Aids
Hearing aids are often thought of as the traditional 80s style, bulky plastic devices that stand out to everyone around the wearer. But these days, hearing aids are mini technological marvels, and 3D printing of hearing aids is changing the game even more.
3D printing in hearing aid manufacturing allows a hearing aid to be custom-built for the wearer’s ear and enables the manufacturer to fit the right tech into a casing that doesn’t need to be further molded, meaning they can create a unique device that benefits the wearer. For consumers, this means a faster turnaround and increased comfort with clever sounds and more features. For anyone living with hearing loss, this isn’t a flashy gadget; it’s the kind of innovation that could give someone their life back.
QR Codes Everywhere
Love them or hate them, there’s no denying that QR codes have a place in modern society. From replacing physical menus at restaurants to tickets at events and even payment options, QR codes have the flexibility to be used for a great many applications in life to simplify everything.
The benefit of a QR code system is that you don’t need to carry documents everywhere. You simply need your smartphone to scan the code, and you’re good to go.
Health on Your Wrist
Smartwatches are slowly taking over traditional watches, or “dumb” watches, as wearable wrist jewelry. Initially starting out as step counters, the humble pedometer is now incorporated into smart devices like watches and phones for increased functionality and practicality.
Modern smartwatches have become health companions with people using them not only to track steps but also to track sleeping habits, heart rates, sedentary times, and more. They’re popular for parents, fitness enthusiasts, and anyone wanting to get the day started without missing a beat. And all in the space of a watch face. Remarkable.
Smarter Homes Smaller Effort
Not quite as understated as some of the other topics in this list, but smart home tech is changing how we live. From Alexa devices that can issue recommendations, order shopping, give you weather reports, and even integrate with other devices in your home, to smart thermometers and home hubs that make homes feel more like the future envisioned in the popular cartoon The Jetsons than real life. These days, you can open and close curtains and blinds via voice control or a button, allow access to your home, change the temperature, turn lights on and off, and even get your coffee on in the morning. What’s not to love?