Recently, Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar posted an intriguing video of Seiko’s 1982 launch of the first wristwatch on social media. A Seiko UC-2000 watch that functioned as a tiny wrist-mounted data storage device was seen in a TV show’s video. Is this watch just another example of “technology in search of a purpose?” asked the TV show’s host.
Mr. Chandrasekhar wrote, “Technology in search of a purpose” while posting the video on X (formerly Twitter). “It’s a journey of decades of technological evolution from the first #smartwatch in 1982 to today’s marvel.” #RetroTech.
“Technology in search of a purpose”
From the first #smartwatch in 1982 to today's marvel, it's a journey of decades of technological evolution.#RetroTech pic.twitter.com/3ScizEGemp
— Rajeev Chandrasekhar 🇮🇳(Modiyude Kutumbam) (@Rajeev_GoI) February 11, 2024
According to the company, the watch was the “first of its kind”. They said, “After introducing the world’s first TV watch, Seiko introduced a wrist computer that stored data. It was the first of its kind. It had memory of up to 2,000 characters and could store telephone numbers and addresses as well as a diary or schedule for up to one month. The Seiko wrist computer marked the beginning of the age of portable information devices.”
The video has received over 450 reactions and over 7,000 views since it was shared.
“A technological revolution began in 1982 with the release of the first smartwatch, even though it took decades for its intended use and commercial viability to become a reality. Still, a user stated, “The next ten years will see an unprecedented acceleration of technological advancements.”
Someone else said, “Old Casio smartwatches with calculator and alarm were amazing, I actually used the alarm thing a few times.”
In the meantime, Mr. Chandrasekhar predicted in December 2023 that by 2026, the digital economy would account for 20% of India’s GDP.
The Union minister of state for electronics and information technology, skill development and entrepreneurship was speaking at the inaugural function of ‘Startup Conclave 2023’, organised by the Gujarat government at helipad ground in the state capital.
“In 2014, the digital economy was around 4.5 per cent of the GDP and today it is 11 per cent. By 2026, the digital economy will account for 20 per cent or one-fifth of the Indian GDP,” he said.
According to Mr Chandrasekhar, targets and ambitions set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he launched the ‘Digital India’ programme in 2015 have transformed “qualitatively as well as quantitatively our economy, our innovation ecosystem and our position as a nation in the world”.
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