How Technology Has Changed Our Lives in the Last Five Years

Over the last five years, technology has been rapidly changing and expanding in every field imaginable. Smart phones are now capable of acting as standalone computer devices that can take pictures, search the Internet, send emails and text messages and yes, they even make phone calls. While it might seem that the HYPERLINK "http://www.technologyventures.org/" technology of today has reached its limits, it is still actually spreading its proverbial wings. Only twenty or so years ago, personal computers were becoming small enough and affordable enough for families to HYPERLINK "http://www.centertech.org/" \o "Click to Continue > by I Want This" buy them for home use. Since then, the world of technology has shown no signs of slowing down and practically every device available today is somehow tied to computer technology.

It seems hard these days to fathom the original size of computers and how small they have become in the last ten years, but within the last five years they have become even smaller and somehow more powerful and faster than ever before! The Internet allows people to connect with family, friends, and work colleagues from across the globe in the push of a button. Communication options have literally exploded in the instant avenues of text and video based chat as well as the near instantaneous method of email. Gone are the days where one had to post a letter and wait a week or more for a response and long distance phone calls are unnecessary for anyone with a computer, a webcam, and a speedy Internet connection.

Automobiles are now being manufactured with standard GPS and emergency call features for the convenience and safety of drivers and their passengers, making the days of carrying a map completely unnecessary and improving the peace of mind of anyone must travel the roads alone or at night. Computerized cars are now potentially at risk in much the same fashion as a personal computer as a moderately skilled hacker can theoretically take over basic functions of a vehicle - including its engine.

Yes, technological advancement has changed our lives completely, and not always in a good way. Fortunately, there are many people focused on securing our networked technology and police officers as well as trained hacking and computer programming experts are working to provide safe and secure technology to the masses. New HYPERLINK "http://www.sshuu.com/online-technology-degrees.php" technology in computer forensics has even opened up the world of police investigations, as personal computers, cell phones, and other portable electronic devices can now be searched in an effort to reliably solve crimes that seem to have little other evidence.

Robots that have been designed for military warfare are also finding purpose in cleanup efforts of nuclear issues in such applications as at the nuclear energy facility in Japan that was recently smashed about by the devastating earthquake and tsunami. Because the nuclear reactors have been damaged and they are emitting radiation, even fully outfitted hazardous materials teams are at severe risk of radiation contamination within a few minutes of exposure. Robots are being sent in to clean up the mess, measure radioactivity levels, and even stream live video feeds for scientists to monitor.

For more information about how technology has changed our lives, check out centertech.org.

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A Answer these questions according to the text:

In what way has technology changed peoples lives?

What happened twenty years ago?

Is it difficult to imagine how different computers were in the past? Why?

What does Internet allow you to do?

B Find evidence for the following statements:

Even automobiles have been computerized with high tech.

Technology has also brought negative effects.

Robots had recently a huge impact in a natural disaster.

Robots are being used to perform tasks to would endangered peoples lives.

C What/who do the underlined words refer to?

They ___________

They ___________

Who ___________

They ___________

Key:

1. Technology has improved peoples lives by making them closer by phones, emails, Sms, etc.

2. twenty years ago computers became affordable and small enough for most people.

3. yes, it is difficult to imagine how computers used to be due their size and price.

4. Internet allows us to be in touch with the whole world. One can send emails, make video calls, take photos, record music and so on.

B . 1 . Automobiles are now being manufactured with standard GPS and emergency call features for the convenience and safety of drivers and their passengers, making the days of carrying a map completely unnecessary and improving the peace of mind of anyone must travel the roads alone or at night

2. Yes, technological advancement has changed our lives completely, and not always in a good way. Fortunately, there are many people focused on securing our networked technology and police officers as well as trained hacking and computer programming experts are working to provide safe and secure technology to the masses. New HYPERLINK "http://www.sshuu.com/online-technology-degrees.php" technology in computer forensics has even opened up the world of police investigations, as personal computers, cell phones, and other portable electronic devices can now be searched in an effort to reliably solve crimes that seem to have little other evidence.

3. Robots that have been designed for military warfare are also finding purpose in cleanup efforts of nuclear issues in such applications as at the nuclear energy facility in Japan that was recently smashed about by the devastating earthquake and tsunami. Because the nuclear reactors have been damaged and they are emitting radiation, even fully outfitted hazardous materials teams are at severe risk of radiation contamination within a few minutes of exposure

4. they are emitting radiation, even fully outfitted hazardous materials teams are at severe risk of radiation contamination within a few minutes of exposure. Robots are being sent in to clean up the mess, measure radioactivity levels, and even stream live video feeds for scientists to monitor

C . 1 mobiles, 2. Computers, 3. Anyone, 4. Nuclear reactors.