Many of the technologies I am growing up with are going to be obsolete in 10 years. But my three picks are the landline telephone, fax machine and personal camera.
Regarding the landline phone: yes, we have one. But we hardly ever use it. My mom says it's there for "earthquake protection." Many families have already given up these types of phones because it's just one extra utility bill each month. I'll bet most people under the age of 30 don't even have a landline. We all just use our mobile phones, and since we have them with us at all times, we can be easily reached. Maybe too easily reached, but that's another story.
As for fax machines, the only reason companies still use them instead of email is when signatures are required on documents. But more and more businesses now accept electronic signatures and even better, there apps for smartphones that allow you to sign a PDF document on a touchscreen.
The dedicated personal camera is also going to go the way of the dodo. It's more convenient to use the camera on a smartphone, which people are always carrying with them. And let's face it, even the camera on my smartphone is probably better than anything my parents ever used 20 years ago.
Most of the technologies we use today may not become obsolete, but they will look different. Everything will be newer, faster, smaller––and even more personal. I just hope I don't become obsolete en route.
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