It all started today, precisely twenty years ago. Good God. If I only had known.
I asked Grok to tell me ten commonplace things that didn’t exist back then. Here we go!
Let’s think about how the world has changed since March 2005. Here are some commonplace things today that either didn’t exist back then or weren’t yet part of everyday life:
- Smartphones as We Know Them – In 2005, mobile phones were common, but the iPhone didn’t launch until 2007, and Android followed in 2008. Today’s smartphones—pocket computers with apps, touchscreens, and high-speed internet—weren’t a thing yet. People relied on flip phones or BlackBerries with physical keyboards.
- Social Media Platforms – Facebook existed (launched in 2004), but it was still mostly for college students and far from the giant it is now. Twitter didn’t exist until 2006, Instagram arrived in 2010, and TikTok wasn’t even a concept until much later (2016). Social media wasn’t the daily staple it is today.
- Streaming Services – Netflix was around in 2005, but it was a DVD-by-mail service—streaming didn’t start until 2007. Spotify (2008), YouTube as a platform for creators (barely a month old in March 2005), and modern streaming giants like Disney+ or HBO Max didn’t exist. People still rented DVDs from Blockbuster or watched cable TV.
- Ridesharing Apps – Uber launched in 2009, and Lyft came in 2012. In 2005, getting around meant taxis, public transit, or your own car—no tapping an app to summon a ride.
- Wireless Earbuds – AirPods debuted in 2016, and while Bluetooth existed in 2005, wireless earbuds weren’t a common sight. People used wired headphones or those clunky over-ear sets.
- E-Readers and Tablets – The Amazon Kindle launched in 2007, and the iPad came in 2010. In 2005, reading meant physical books or maybe a PDF on your computer—no sleek, portable digital libraries.
- Cloud Storage – Google Drive (2012), Dropbox (2007), and iCloud (2011) weren’t around. In 2005, you saved files on floppy disks, CDs, or external hard drives—sharing meant emailing attachments or handing over a USB stick.
- Video Calls as Normal – Skype existed (launched 2003), but video calling wasn’t mainstream. Zoom (2011) and FaceTime (2010) made it routine later. In 2005, most communication was voice calls or text.
- Electric Vehicles (EVs) in the Mainstream – Tesla’s Roadster didn’t hit until 2008, and EVs were niche experiments in 2005. Today, electric cars from multiple brands are everywhere, with charging stations popping up like gas stations.
- AI Assistants – Siri (2011), Alexa (2014), and Google Assistant (2016) didn’t exist. In 2005, interacting with tech meant typing or clicking—no chatting with a virtual helper.
These shifts reflect how tech, especially mobile and internet-based innovations, has woven itself into daily life over the past two decades. What feels ordinary now was unimaginable—or at least impractical—back then.
Sentimental as I am, I could probably go on for pages about how grateful I am.
Instead, I’ll simply say thank you.
