Читать книгу FLEX - Rick Grimaldi - Страница 16

Of all the ways the world is changing faster than ever, technology may be one of the most striking trends to consider. Aside from social media, it's had an oversized impact on virtually (pun intended) everything we do.

Just consider the rise of Apple. On January 9, 2007, Steve Jobs took to the stage and introduced the iPhone: Apple's vision for the modern cell phone. The device sported a large touchscreen, featured a simple, easy-to-navigate interface, and placed the internet and a camera into the pocket of consumers worldwide.

The industry was ripe for disruption because the market was dominated by “clam-shell” phones that were not optimized for the creation or consumption of media or browsing the internet. Although some manufacturers produced cell phones that could be used for these purposes, they relied on small screens, physical keyboards, unreliable trackballs, and low-resolution cameras. This all changed the moment Jobs walked up on the stage.

In the years following the iPhone's unveiling, the smartphone industry's response to Apple was nothing short of breathtaking. Smartphone manufacturers, including electronic behemoth Samsung, released a flurry of new devices to combat the iPhone's prowess . . . delivering innovative new features such as wireless charging, curved screens, mobile payment options, and improved photography. Other companies, such as Google, were also spurred to create their own smartphone operating systems and larger technological ecosystems.

In Ireland alone, where Apple's European headquarters is located, iPhone exports were responsible for one-quarter of the country's economic growth.

In South Korea, exports of semiconductors (a key component in smartphone production) accounted for 17.1% of all of the country's exports. As you can see, smartphone innovation has benefited far more than just consumers. Rather, it's been an engine of economic growth worldwide. And that's just one example of technology reshaping our world, including the world of work.

Recently, I had a conversation with an Uber driver—a ride-sharing concept that itself was brand new just a decade ago—about the impact of Google Maps on his job. He was animated as we discussed the “flying taxis” currently under development by companies like Tesla that are leading a revolution in alternative energy.

“Think about it,” he said. “I couldn't do this job with a paper map. Not only that, but I'm pretty sure Uber wouldn't even exist today without Google Maps.” He's speaking, of course, about the importance of GPS, the global positioning system. Thanks to satellites in space that ping our location, we navigate even the remotest areas on the planet with ease.

And this has given rise to the gig economy that is Uber, Lyft, and other ridesharing services and changing the way consumers buy and companies sell goods. Is the gig economy a good thing or a bad thing? Does the flexibility that drivers can make their own part-time hours offset the depreciation on their car and lack of health benefits? We will examine this and other aspects of the gig economy in Chapter 4.