Could Tech Help Make Poorer African-Americans Better Off?

(Akiit.com) When you think about the tech industry, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Probably an industry without a lot of African-American and black representation. But while it’s true that the sector is underrepresented, it’s coming up with new ideas that could change our lives.

Price Comparison Sites

One of the ways that retailers have traditionally made big profits is through lack of customer information. Customers may have thought that the only option in town was to buy at store A, not knowing that store B sold what they wanted at a lower price.

Thanks to price comparison sites, all that has changed. And for the better. Price comparison sites are offering to compare everything from insurance to groceries. In amongst it all, there’s a bargain to be had.

What’s more, it’s now easier than ever to find the information you need to get great deals. Rapid communication on the internet now means that deals can all be curated on a single site.

3D Printing

Today you have to go to the store if you want to buy new clothes or furniture. And for many poorer Americans, these items are out of reach. But in the future, 3D printing could offer a solution. It might sound far-fetched, but 3D printers have the capability to cut the cost of manufactured goods dramatically. Products will no longer need massive facilities to make. Instead, individuals and companies will construct products on their desktops from cheap raw materials.

Over the last few years, 3D printers have steadily become more advanced. Printers, like the Zortrax M300, are now able to print much larger objects than before. And, rather like computers, their price is falling. You can read more about the Zortrax M300 premiere here.

Smartphones

One of the best examples of how technology has made us all better off is the humble smartphone. Over the last few years, it’s become clear just how much money a cheap, $100 handset can save you over the long term. In the past, if you wanted the same functionality you have on your smartphone, you’d have had to buy a lot of expensive kit. GPS systems were hundreds of dollars a piece before the Apple released the first iPhone back in 2007. Cameras were rather expensive too. And calculators, music players, watches and games consoles all had to be bought separately.

Recently, WebpageFX had a look at how much you would have paid in the 1980s for all the stuff that’s on your smartphone today. They came out with the incredible figure of $32 million. That’s the equivalent of 109 houses or 957 new cars.

What’s exciting about the future of technology is that it is moving out of the digital space. Sure, it’s great to have a bunch of digital technologies at your fingertips. But people still need roofs over their heads and food in their mouths to live. And the prices of these haven’t gone down anything like as much in recent years. With technologies, like 3D printing, that era may be coming to an end. And with price comparison sites, consumers are always able to get the best deals around.

Staff Writer; Karl Spivey

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