Technologies fast getting extinct

Japan will be producing the last Video Cassette Recorder (VCR) by the end of the month, according to the Tokyo-based “Nikkei newspaper,” which happens to be the world's largest financial newspaper, with a daily circulation exceeding three million.

Quoting the 140-year old “Nikkei newspaper, the July 21, 2016 edition of the “BBC News Asia” reports: “Funai Electric has been producing VHS-playing VCRs for 33 years, most recently in China for Sanyo. But last year it sold just 750,000 units, down from a peak of 15 million a year, and has been finding it difficult to source the necessary parts. VCRs were introduced in the 1970s but were superseded by DVD technology.”

The “Nikkei,” which now also owns the prestigious “Financial Times” of London, adds: “Last year, Sony announced it would stop selling Betamax video cassettes - a rival to the VHS. VCRs were required to play or record such tapes. It was 12 years ago that UK High Street retailer Dixons decided to phase out the sale of VCRs due to the popularity of DVD players.”

Although it remains to be seen if the same nostalgia would ever be felt for the VCRs, there are numerous devices and technologies that had once enjoyed a renaissance around the planet, but are now at the verge of extinction, falling victims to the technologic evolution.

Over the years, many people had tossed their VCRs out in favour of DVD players or other technologies, but they are a little worried about the cassettes featuring family memoirs from the '80s and '90s, finding ways to safely record them on any another device.

As far as the DVDs are concerned, their demand has also dipped very sharply in recent past as people are now streaming movies on the game consoles and the internet. The fact is that with broadband Internet, one does not need a disc to watch a movie any more.

Rapid advancement in technology is something you need to watch out and keep pace with. They may cost you more than a spendthrift wife. But the moment you buy these technologies, something new appears on the market that is faster, stronger and better---rendering the older appliances obsolete in many ways. And if you go out selling the older gadgets, the poor resale market literally stings you.

The “Fox News” had once aired a report that had stated: “Each of those marvels was a wonder of its time. Now each is obsolete, a once-outstanding advancement made laughable when compared to the contact-lens camera or Japan's soon-to-be feasible moon-walking robot. We don't even realise something's obsolete until we realise we haven't seen it in a while — a floppy disk stashed in the back of a desk drawer, or an unused videocassette propping up a table.”

Here follows a brief list of some other gadget sensations that had created a stir by making our lives easier when they were invented, but have finally run their course:

Fax Machines:

Various forms of faxes have existed since as far back as the 1800s, but not many years from now, it will be hard to find shops that stock them!

In today's modern home office and the ability to scan and email documents, there really is no need for a fax. But if you still communicate with people who prefer them, you may want to hold on to your fax machine a little longer. Fax machines are thus certainly heading fast for the junkyard. And those at homes are getting a bit rusty, aren’t they?

Typewriters:

Although personal computers have made these tools unnecessary, there is still a cult following that loves the vintage appeal of typewriters. But it is not easy finding these typewriter lovers. They are surely scarce.

The “Fox News” had viewed: “Once one of the most powerful means of mass communication, the typewriter claimed a spot near the top of the technological food chain for more than 100 years. Typewriters did have drawbacks — smudged fingers, only two or three copies at a time and gallons of whiteout to correct mistakes.”

Cameras:

The era of the hand-held camera is also nearly over as smart phones, watches, computers and tablets etc have the ability to capture the desired moments for you.  Just focus and click, and then share your images with friends through social networks like Flickr, Facebook, and Google etc.

The Walkman:

The Sony Walkman portable cassette player had changed the way the world listened to music in 1979, quickly becoming the hottest accessory of the early 1980s. But where is the Walkman these days?

The vintage Record Players:

Turntables have been replaced by newer technologies long ago, but there is something about the mesmerising sound of a record that just can't be matched. But what if you wish to buy a new record player or get it repaired? While it will be hard to find a new record player in any electronics market around the world these days, mechanics adept in repairing these machines are almost extinct too.

Landline Telephones:

Although most people have a cell phone this day and age, it is advisable to have a landline too, especially in areas where cell reception isn't clear. But how many people actually want to have these landline telephones? Not many for sure.

Cell phones and online video chat (via both smartphones and computers) are giving landlines a run for their money. In fact, nearly a quarter of households in the United States have already ditched landlines and 50 percent of adults aged 25 to 29 only use a mobile device, according to a report by the American National Center for Health Statistics.

Film Projectors:

In 2005, less than 100 movie screens in the United States were using digital projectors. Now there are over 16,000 digital cinema screens that offer a cleaner and crisper viewing experience. The full digital revolution has also saved significant costs that were once incurred on making film prints and then shipping them to and from the theaters in bulky metal containers. The new technology has saved the fatigue and pain of the people in film business too.

Box TV units:

Sleek and slender Plasma TVs have effectively replaced the chunky and imposing box unit you once had in your living rooms. The much prettier and high-quality LCD and LED screens are also believed to be eco-friendly compared to the fluorescent lights used in traditional LCD televisions.