How the Jetson’s Failed Me

Whaaaaat a video phone…I must have one!

When I was a kid (circa 1980), one of my favourite cartoons was the Jetson’s. I guess looking back that it was my favourite because I am an innovation fanatic and always looking at the future and building what’s missing.

One of the most impressive things that the Jetson’s had along with airborne vehicles and robot maids was a video phone where you could actually see the person you were talking to! How amazing was that, I am not sure if it was the fact that it was better than the flying cars as it was somewhat believable.

Anyway fast forward to today and video calling al la Skype or FaceTime is here and it’s easy and free, and guess what….no one really uses it, I don’t. If I am in a business situation where I maybe interviewing some developers I will use it but that’s about it.

I feel that wearable tech will also have a sharp quick rise to a steady plateau as well, which is caused by the amount of early adopters that exist today. By the time the hump rolls along with all the paying customers and a product becomes mainstream could be some time away.

We seem to see technology for its innovation and dismiss the actual use case, Google Glass is like, “wow how unreal is that going to be…” type of response, yet in reality people look stupid and feel embarrassed talking to no one just like Google Now. I think “hearables” have a future as we all already walk around with headphones on and listening to activity makes sense to me.

Anyway it seems that Google are keeping an eye on the Jetson’s as they roll out robot maids, talking alarm clocks and a “Vista phone” even. Just saying there is a big differnec between cool innovation and actual use case practicality.