If you hear the word “technology”, the first few things that probably run through your mind are the latest gadgets that are out in the market, like tablet computers, three-dimensional televisions, and smart phones. These portable and revolutionary devices took the place of CD players, floppy disks, rotary phones, and typewriters – items that were once glorified, but are now almost barely remembered. Although you might think that all outdated technology is better off in antique shops or museums, there are still a few that hold a valuable place in our modern world.
The beeper, also called a pager, is a fine example of old technology that continues to survive and adapt to the changing times. Though they’re not as popular as they used to be, the functionality of this one-way messaging device remains appreciated by a number of people. In fact, it has significant features that even advanced communication gadgets can’t provide. Here are some of them:
It operates via radio frequency.
Unlike mobile phones that can sometimes lose coverage, you won’t have to find hot spots or raise beepers up in the air for a signal. They rely mainly on lower frequencies that penetrate and reach areas where signals from cellular towers can’t. This makes pagers advantageous during black outs or when natural disasters affect other forms of telecommunication.
It doesn’t lag or crash.
Because pagers only have a specific function, which is to receive notifications, they’re less likely to get overloaded. Messages are received as soon as they’re sent from a server. You won’t experience a lot of glitches or delays.
It’s more affordable and has a longer battery life.
Individuals who use beepers usually pay an average monthly paging bill of about $12. That’s at least $40 less compared to the standard cell phone fee. Other than helping with savings, pagers are also energy-efficient. It can last several weeks on a single set of batteries. You don’t need to worry about charging it on a daily basis.
It has several useful applications for service industries.
Paging systems are becoming a practical tool for a number of organizations. From hospitals, to churches, restaurants, or casinos, beepers have helped in increasing productivity and quality of customer service. With just one beep, doctors can immediately attend to an emergency, parents can pick up their children from church nurseries, and waiters can deliver freshly-cooked meals straight from the kitchen.
Beepers may be thought of as a dying breed of technology, but their effectiveness proves otherwise. These lightweight and handy gadgets are bound to stay. If you want to read more information regarding this topic you can visit nytimes.com for related articles.
Technology Talk: Reasons Why Beepers are Oldies but Goodies