You’ll get a head start in understanding a technology that could soon sweep the
Whatever you buy today will soon be obsolete. Phones are a great example
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nation. Just think, for example, how much better you’d be at Zoom meetings if you’d been using the service when it launched back in 2012.
of this, with continuous innovation prompting more than half of consumers to replace their devices within two years, according to a study published by peer- reviewed journal publisher MDPI. Despite the cons, many consumers are quick to jump on the early-adoption bandwagon. If you’re one of them, take proactive steps to curb any risk.
There will likely be glitches. Being the first to use a technology also means
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being the first to stumble upon the parts that don’t work. Companies often treat early users as beta testers, using the bugs they experience to improve subsequent versions. Recall the first iteration of the Apple Maps app in 2013, which sparked safety warnings from police and forced CEO Tim Cook to suggest using other software after it led some drivers to cut across the Fairbanks International Airport runways, among other mishaps. The earlier you “buy-in” to a technology, the more bugs you will encounter. You’ll have a say in shaping future versions. Companies tend to listen to the complaints and suggestions of early adopters, often addressing both in subsequent releases. PRO
Five tips for getting the most out of being an early adopter
Buy from a trusted source with a solid return policy. Every time an exciting piece
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of technology debuts, fraudsters do their best to capitalize on it by selling counterfeit versions online. Even eBay has been a fertile fleecing ground: Fraudsters will offer products like the Xbox gaming console and Apple iPad for sale, only to send customers photos of the items or empty packaging instead of the actual equipment.
Be careful when using a new technology in a potentially dangerous situation. While
more than $82,000 from 3,784 backers on Kickstarter in 2013, but has yet to appear. Decide how much privacy you’re willing to sacrifice. 5 The same cutting-edge technology that allows people to exercise greater control over their lives often relies on personal data, including the user’s location. In some cases, it can also be used against them, as it was when Ring doorbells were allegedly accessed by hackers who
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many innovations promise to free you from everyday tasks, use common sense when it comes to high- risk activities. The use of Autopilot, the self-driving feature built into Tesla’s electric vehicles, for example, has resulted in at least 10 casualties, The New York Times reports.
The same cutting- edge technology that allows people to exercise greater control over their lives often relies on personal data, including the user’s location. In some cases, it can also be used against them.
Ensure there is an infrastructure in place to support your new tech. Increasingly, the
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latest technology relies on other technologies to function. Before you buy the latest electric car, for example, you’ll want to know where charging stations are in your city. Other technologies, such as some electronic dog trackers and robot vacuums, depend on cellular phone service and smartphones to get the most out of their features. Use caution when investing in prototype products. In this age of crowdfunding sites, inventors’ lofty goals can sometimes delay the 4 delivery of their new gadget or software indefinitely. The Shadow app, for example, designed to plumb the depths of the global subconscious by analyzing users’ voice recordings about their dreams, raised
abused and threatened users via the devices, leading to a 2020 lawsuit. Know the risks and adjust your privacy settings accordingly. Bottom line: While it’s fun to be first, it’s worth weighing the advantages and disadvantages of any new technology before you take the plunge.
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IN YOUR CORNER ISSUE 11 | 2022
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