Tech Life: 8 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Be an Early Adopter (wisebread)
Early adopters of new technology are, God love ‘em, those folks who are the
first to embrace manufacturer innovations in the marketplace. In my day, they
were first family on block to get a microwave or a VCR. Today, they’re the
first to have an LCD TV or smartphone. These are the consumers that
manufacturers dream of and often cater to. They are plugged into tech trends
and they don’t mind standing in line or camping out all night to indulge their
new-gadget habit. They respond to buzz, and they create buzz. They are product
evangelizers and brand ambassadors who reset the standards of everyday
technology and they’re responsible, in part, for the embarrassment you feel as
you tuck that old flip phone back in your pocket.
But early adoption isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. I think there’s a very
real downside to the rush and blush of new technology. So take some comfort in
your four-year-old flip phone and that hulking, boxy, analog TV. Here are
eight reasons why you shouldn’t be an early adopter. (See also: Frugal Advice
for the Gadget Addicted)
## 1. Higher Prices
New technology means higher retail costs. …
