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Advanced Technology is What Americans Crave

In Telecommunications We Trust 

Right now, Americans are looking to advanced tech to save the day, whether it’s used to manage medical records or as a stimulus to economic recovery. According to a poll of 2,355 adults, consumers are looking to technology to improve their lives and want very practical applications to solve their current problems.
 
Here is how the survey on advanced technology breaks down:
 

- Almost three-quarters of Americans believe that investing in innovation and advanced technology sciences in education is the key to the country’s long term success;
- Consumers also send a strong message to the U.S. automobile industry to invest in hybrids and alternative fuels, as seven in ten Americans said not only an investment but a leadership role in these technologies could mean survival for our auto industry;
- Seven in ten adults believe that travel costs for businesses could be cut if technology such as video conferencing were better utilized; and,
- Other ideas that are widely supported are the use of technology to produce “green products and services” (67%) and to manage medical records and patient care (67%).

Wanted: Tech that Makes Life Easier
 
Americans are specifically looking for simple, practical devices. Over a quarter of consumers strongly or very strongly liked the idea of using GPS technology to balance and monitor traffic to determine the most effective routes in real time for an effective transportation system.  About one-third of consumers indicated they would be highly interested in purchasing mobile, wireless devices to monitor their car in real time, advising them of developing problems and even updating engine software to keep their car running at peak performance - essentially a mobile tune-up.
 
Considering the importance of the cell phone in many people’s lives, it is no surprise that 27% of consumers very strongly or strongly like the idea of controlling home systems or appliances from a mobile device, and 26% of consumers very strongly or strongly like a 4G wireless network that could provide seamless voice, Internet, and entertainment to their homes and mobile devices.  On the other hand, possibly because of privacy concerns, two in five Americans say they would not like it at all if their doctor could monitor their vital signs in real time using a mobile device.
 
While many Americans indicate they do not believe mobile technology enables people to be more productive, the solution may be to make the devices easier to use.  Under half of Americans say they only use about half of the features and functionality of their technology devices.  It might be that the productivity gains people are seeking are offered by an application or function they have never used or considered.
By Rita Henry
Get Telecommunication Jobs, Contributing Editor

Source:The Harris Poll® Apr. 20, 2009, "Consumers’ High Hopes for a High Tech Future.” Harris Interactive Inc.  All rights reserved.