The Ultimate Digital PR Technology Wish List?

Reading the FT this weekend, I came across an article about a hi-tech treasure hunt (geocaching) as part of a feature on ‘pursuits – the things we long to do’.

It got me thinking about the technology we long to use and those bits of kit that we can no longer do without.

The list of potential gadgets I’d like to have access to is endless – from a 3D home cinema to interactive computer screens in the office. However, as a digital PR professional, I know that realistically most of the technology I crave is linked to enhanced communication.

Like many people, I can’t be too far away from my Blackberry. Not only is it my link to email and phone, but also Twitter, Video, Web and much, much more. What better way to capture an important moment and be able to share it with others while on the move? While your PDA of choice may differ, the desire to keep in touch via multimedia remains fairly consistent for most people – just look at the ongoing demand for the Apple iPhone and the forthcoming Palm Pre.

This week, the Guardian carried an article by Charles Arthur on how technology journalists seem able to spot the latest tech that is likely to succeed and still be used in five, ten, twenty years. It was an interesting insight into how leading journalists such as Rory-Cellan Jones work, but also reminded me why following the tech media is vital as the findings truly do impact our daily lives.

At the start of my career in PR (some fourteen years ago!) the communication tools available were landline phones, fax machines and the Royal Mail. Even working at the forefront of technology it was some time before we had the excitement of a dial up Internet connection for the entire team to share.

Now being contactable 24x7 is the norm and patience for information to be sent or retrieved is limited to a few seconds. Forgotten are the labour intensive research tasks we used to undertake using telephone directories and encyclopaedias.

I believe technology advances are an essential way of enhancing our lives – don’t forget the same tech that keeps us in touch with the office keeps us in touch with our friends, family and leisure pursuits. The possibilities are endless - we can all become farmers via a Facebook application or learn cutting edge new skills via virtual training sessions on SecondLife.

So, what would communications technology would you find essential for your ultimate weekend pursuit? I’m still working on my technology wish list –at least there’s still 90 days to go before Christmas…