In this age of advanced technology, it’s easy to overlook the older devices that were widely used just a few years ago, which have now faded into obsolescence. Modern hardware like smartphones has amalgamated the functions of various older devices, rendering the once-popular technology less appealing.
Yet, amidst the surge of innovation, certain outdated technologies persist in regular use by diverse individuals. Some individuals resist the urge to embrace contemporary advancements, while others rely on older technologies for intricate and multifaceted reasons.
10. Windows XP
Despite originating in 2001, Windows XP remains operational on nearly 30% of global desktop computers. While this wasn’t a significant issue until the first half of 2014, Microsoft has ceased its support for the system. Consequently, the software conglomerate no longer delivers security updates and fixes, rendering computers running Windows XP susceptible to potential attacks.
Microsoft has advised users of the outdated operating system to upgrade to a more recent version to mitigate risks. However, the jeopardy is not confined to desktop users alone. Interestingly, ATMs also employ an operating system beneath the bank’s proprietary software. With approximately 420,000 ATMs in the United States, nearly all of them are still reliant on Windows XP. Consequently, these machines are also exposed to risks. While many banks plan to transition to Windows 7, the extensive cost and time associated with updating each individual machine have resulted in a gradual transition process.
9. Floppy Disks
Floppy disks, remnants of the 1980s, when storage requirements were meager, have been supplanted by vast hard drives, CDs, USB flash drives, email, and cloud storage, enabling the storage of thousands of gigabytes of data.
Nonetheless, floppy disks persist in widespread use. Remarkably, Sony managed to sell 12 million units in 2009, and they continue to be available in stores. The primary buyers of these disks are businesses that continue to rely on older computers compatible only with outdated storage mediums. Until such establishments upgrade to more contemporary, albeit costlier, hardware, floppy disks remain their sole option.
In the United States, The Federal Register stands out as a prominent example. Due to certain restrictions on the types of media used for transmitting documents to other agencies, transitioning to a secure email system is deemed too costly. Consequently, government employees are forced to scan documents, save them onto floppy disks, and dispatch them via courier to their intended recipients.
8. Dial-up Internet
Despite widespread access to high-speed Internet across the country, it might come as a surprise that a notable percentage of people, approximately 2% of Americans, still rely on dial-up connections. This demographic tends to be concentrated in rural areas, where alternatives are limited.
A curious explanation for this phenomenon involves subscribers of AOL’s dial-up service. Astonishingly, around 75% of AOL subscribers also possess broadband access but remain unaware of their redundancy in dial-up service. Strangely, this redundancy contributes to up to 80% of AOL’s profits, raising eyebrows within the industry.
7. Dot Matrix Printers
The clattering, slow dot matrix printers that once produced text on perforated paper have not entirely vanished as one might assume. Introduced over 40 years ago, they enjoyed an extended reign as the standard printers before ink-jet and laser alternatives emerged.
Despite the prevalence of newer models, dot matrix printers continue to find utility in various American businesses. Their slow operation is outweighed by certain advantages required by specific companies. Notably, they excel in handling multi-part forms more effectively than modern printers. Unlike their counterparts, dot matrix printers lack the impact required to transfer ink onto multiple sheets simultaneously. Moreover, they offer the capability to print on continuous paper.
6. VHS Tapes
Once the pinnacle of home entertainment, VHS tapes have given way to DVDs, and streaming services like Netflix and Hulu have since overshadowed DVDs. Nevertheless, a substantial market for VHS tapes persists. Research conducted in 2013 revealed that over 50% of Americans still own a VCR, although this figure has declined from over 80% in 2005. Online platforms such as Amazon and Wal-Mart continue to sell blank tapes, indicating a viable consumer base. Additionally, a considerable community in the United States relies on VHS tapes for their media consumption, as reported by The New York Times, particularly among older immigrants who hold a preference for this format.
5. Magnetic Stripe Bank Cards
In contrast to the chip and PIN system prevalent in much of the western world, most Americans still employ magnetic stripe debit and credit cards. The insecurity of magnetic stripe systems was exposed by the large-scale data breach at Target.
In the United States, customers hand their cards to cashiers for swiping and signature verification, leaving magnetic stripe data vulnerable to theft. Chip and PIN technology employs a more secure PIN-based identification, preventing cashiers from swiping cards through copying machines. Studies have indicated that embedded chips can reduce fraud by up to 80%. Fortunately, both Visa and Mastercard have committed to introducing chip-based cards in the United States by the end of 2015.
4. Phone Books
Phone books, once delivered to every doorstep, have faded into redundancy as online searches offer faster access to phone numbers. Approximately 70% of Americans either rarely or never utilize phone books, rendering them largely obsolete. Despite this, many regions, including most of the United States, continue to distribute phone books to the entire population.
Research by the Iowa Policy Research Organization indicates that discontinuing phone book production could save five million trees annually and reduce the cost of disposing of unwanted books. The majority of people express disinterest in phone books, with a mere 2% of those surveyed by AT&T expressing a desire for delivery. An opt-in program, rather than the default delivery, has been suggested as a solution, allowing those who wish to receive a phone book to request one.
3. Telegrams
Telegrams, the primary mode of communication for over a century before phones and later electronic communication methods emerged, have witnessed a decline. Although major telegram companies like Western Union have ceased operations, a niche market for telegram services still exists. Countries like the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom maintain commercial telegram services, primarily used for sending novelty or humorous messages on special occasions. India previously operated a sizable telegram service, sending up to 5,000 messages daily before its discontinuation in 2013.
2. Typewriters
Despite widespread computer access, typewriters retain relevance for a significant number of writers in various domains. They find utility in areas with unstable electricity supply, such as India, where court typists rely on them.
Author Will Self has disclosed his use of typewriters for first drafts, citing the lack of instant deletion as a factor that encourages careful consideration. Typewriters also offer a distraction-free environment compared to modern digital interfaces. Surprisingly, typewriters have experienced a resurgence in government agencies. Both Russia and Germany have explored typewriters as a measure to prevent leaks and espionage facilitated by computers and laptops.
1. CRT Televisions
While most people now opt for LCD or plasma TVs, there remains a market for the bulkier CRT models. In parts of Asia and South America, consumers still favor CRT TVs due to their affordability.