Devices in Distress
Let's examine a concept in cyber security that extends to many other industries and markets: availability.
Here in the United States, are our devices in distress? You may say, no way... I have the latest editions that have more features than ever. Where did the headphone jack go? How about the power block with a charger? Forced accessory types tied to the brand of device (lightning chargers, wireless headphones, various adapters to compensate)?
While it may sound a rather dire way of describing the situation... it's a serious problem that's getting worse each year. Technology providers are pushing their costs higher, while at the same time lowering the value of our devices. Imagine the time and money saved if they just decide to no longer offer essential components (no time & materials for production, no wasted time spent providing customer support... sounds like a good deal for them right...). For consumers, it is vital that devices are available, ready to use when we need them to manage the flow of information for life and work.
Carrying multiple chargers and accessories around just to keep all our device battery topped off is exhausting. Providers that insist on brand associated accessories have turned many consumers away from their devices all together. No one enjoys grabbing the latest device that works great, but the compatible accessories only work for a brief period after purchase. Charging cords, plug in adapters, and even the ports on devices are becoming a cheap, unregulated mess. How many of you have purchased multiples of these just to make it by? Talk about electronic waste... a more regulated system would cut down on this.
The lack of compatibility and value that is being created in the marketplace is forcing consumers and policy makers to really dive deep into this situation. The European Union has decided that Apple will be forced to use USB-C for iPhones by 2024. This is a great update that hopefully extends to the rest of the world as making different versions of the iPhone doesn't make sense for them. As more providers switch to the latest in battery technology, it will be refreshing to see charging compatibility finally extend to laptops, mobile devices, and accessories.
My hope is that policy makers crack down on the lack of regulation in this space. I hear stories all the time about new devices failing, and little being offered in the way of reimbursement. In the meantime, here are my tips for keeping the highest level of productivity with various device use:
Utilize the power of the cloud. Working using cloud services removes the restraints of normal device use. You can request more power, components, and even collaborate with others using cloud services. If you haven't already migrated your projects to the cloud, consider researching secure solutions. If your devices fail, progress and availability will be retained in the cloud.
Create charging fixtures throughout your life. Invest in high quality, uniform power blocks, charging cables, and accessories for your device use. Install these in the office, in the home, and even keep a set in your to-go bag. I've seen many people take as much time setting up devices as being productive during a short break. Stay organized and productive by having a system in place to plug in wherever you may be.
Encrypted removable storage can be a powerful tool for moving large or sensitive projects between devices. Consider investing in a removable storage tool that you can have in your bag available for use. Creating local backups of important files or even moving massive files at lightning speed can help keep you focused throughout the day.
I hope you can find some time to review your personal device use. I'd love to see devices become more compatible, more secure, and have a higher level of availability. Keep working hard, and I'll see you back here next week.
