When phones first came out, all we could really do on them was talk and text. Since then,we have traded the once hip and stylish flip phones for more functional motion detectors and touch screens. The headphone was designed as a user friendly convenient way to use a modern phone. However, not many people are aware of just how versatile the device is. To this day, most people still go into the market to buy a set of headphones strictly for  its music output capabilities.

Up till a few years ago, headphones were available only as accessories to phones. Today they are included as part of standard packaging for any new phone you buy. Yet there is still a disconnect between the manufacturer and the consumer. Millions of headphones in the world are not been used to their full capacity and this represents a huge loss in value to the consumer. Sometimes it isn’t the corporation out to get your money, its just a simple lack of knowledge. How many times have you thrown away the user guide that came with your new pair of headphones. Does anyone ever read the instruction manual?

When we know how to use them, headphones can be a huge convenience. Think about a working mom who has to juggle an insane amount of groceries in one had, restless kids in another and still have to take an important phone call. As silly as it may seem, enlightened use of a headphone could mean the difference between a good day or a bad day. In this video you will learn 14 new and incredible uses for your headphones. This knowledge can also be a life saver whether you are at the gym or office.

Featured photo credit: http://thenextweb.com/gadgets/2014/07/08/normal-kicks-pre-orders-199-custom-3d-printed-earphones/ via thenextweb.com

Technology has taken a vantage leap in providing solutions for man. Before now, technology used to appear complex and would require a great deal of expertise to handle solutions available. Today, we have technology applicable in the simplest human activities as smart products with intelligent algorithms powering them as they make error-free judgments and provide intelligent and analytic solutions.

Does technology have all the answers?

This article from Credit Suisse, tells us that technology does not have all the answers because it has been found to exhibit “similar biases,” as humans. No one can discredit the impact of technology, but it is not totally free of human input and this is the reason we experience these biases in many areas we have technology holding foot.

Creating technological solutions transparently

This article suggests that the process of creating technological solutions be made transparent and subject to contribution from many people who would end up as users of the product – male, female, young, old, learned, unlearned and all other preferences as we have them. It also underscores the importance of having women on product development teams. This approach is not sure to eliminate all forms of bias, but it is a good way to start in order to appraise the full benefits of technology.

Technology as the connecting tool

Technology so far has been a major connecting tool amongst us humans. It is used and appreciated by all regardless of race, language and sex. In order to keep it less subjective to these arguments about human biases. I believe we should gather opinions on products and solutions before making them available to the public. This could be done by gathering input from intended target users and receiving feedback across the stages of production.

“Recognizing the problem is a start…success will depend on inclusive technologies that meet this vast untapped market.” This cannot be more apt especially at a time when we look up to technology for solutions. We should not muzzle our progress with technology by battling algorithm bias. The first way to avoid this battle is by reading this article here.