Need-to-Know Technologies for a Successful Future

Chapter 3 Talking Intelligently About Computers

Mention “computer” and you probably think of a laptop, desktop, tablet, and even your smartphone—or maybe Alexa (from Amazon), your car, your television, your refrigerator, or your watch. All are computers, or at least have a computer as a major component driving the device. Computers are everywhere today, each different yet basically the same technology. Regardless of the size, power, and cost, all computers are a box of switches used to add and subtract. Nothing more. Yet setting those switches in the right positions can make cars drive themselves, identify a face in a crowd, answer any question in a fraction of a second, and remind you of important meetings. Computers make businesses work and ...