AdventureDad

Australian newspaper The Age just ranked Stockholm, Sweden as the fifth best tech capital in the world.   After living here for four years it's apparent that society infrastructure sure is something special.  When people talk high tech cities they always thing about IT professionals.  Many of the things are cool if you're a geek but even more useful if you're a normal person trying to get through the day with a couple of kids.  High tech solutions saves me lots of time each day which is always needed for the kids, hobbies, and family.

So which are the top tech capitals in the world? 

 
TOP 10 DIGITAL CITIES

1. Seoul

2. Singapore

3. Tokyo

4. Hong Kong

5. Stockholm

6. San Francisco and Silicon Valley

7. Tallinn

8. New York

9. Beijing

10. New Songdo City

Many people are very dependent on the internet today and who can blame them.  It has become incredibly useful in every area of our lives.  I'm enjoying ultra fast 100 mbit speeds at home, up and down, for a measly $30 a month.  No restrictions and you're allowed to do anything you want. No traffic shaping, block of P2P sites or Bit Torrent, or other stupid rules

It's actually uncommon  to hear anyone who doesn't have broadband today. Fast speeds saves lots of time.  Want to download the new Oceans 13 DVD or some cool kids DVD?  It will take you an hour or less for the full movie with the right tool. Download a CD?  A minute or so.

Flying to another continent and need to check your mail and voice messages?  Just turn on your GSM phone, it works everywhere.   No need for an extra number or signing roaming agreements.

People in my area don't all have a car.  No problem, just book it online and go out on the street, unlock and start the car with your cell phone.  Need to take a taxi with the kids and short of cash?  Pay with a credit card, we've been able to do that since 1995.  Car seat for your child?  Just make a request when you order, taxi with top of the line car seat will be there in max 5 minutes.

Crappy cell phone coverage?  Doesn't exist unless you're in the most remote area imaginable.  Crystal clear signal on buses, subway, trains, and even in my nuclear bomb proof garage. Sure helps when there is a child emergency and you must get a hold of the wife or a doctor.  U.S. like GSM coverage was available here 10-15 years ago.

Need a birth certificate for the kids?  Log in online and you will have it in the mail tomorrow. Free of charge. Or dowload it directly as as a pdf and print it out yourself.  Not feeling secure online?  Most banks and institutions use two factor authentication which is basically impossible to spoof.  

In a hurry with the taxes and no time to mail it in on time?  Easy solution, send a text message  to the tax authorities which is the way I did taxes last year. You need to fill yours out?  It comes pre-filled with data from all banks and institutions, go and play with the kids instead.

Wi-Fi penetration isn't fantastic but we're getting free internet on buses and trains this year which helps when you have an extra 20 minutes of free time and no kids around.  Plus there are plenty of free Wi-Fi areas in town.  It's not like San Fransisco but still not bad. 

In a hurry when grocery shopping with the kids? How about saving 20 minutes?  Just grab a small hand held scanner as you enter the store, scan all items and put them in your grocery bags (the kids love to help),  and hand over the scanner with your credit card as you reach the cashier.  No need to look in the bags or scan them again, just sign the slip and you're out of the store.

High tech is not only internet and phones, it's also society infrastructure.  Every bus here has designated spaces for many strollers, no need to fold them.  The bus "kneels down", you don't even have to lift the stroller with your child.  Just roll in and find a spot.  Of course free of charge since you have a child with you.  How about a fully functioning elevator at EVERY subway station in the country?  No problems with carrying your stroller down narrow stairs with the help of two strangers.

All buildings, restaurants, and facilities, are handicap friendly.  That also means accessible  in a Mountain Buggy Urban Double with two children.  No need to carry it down the stairs, use the ramp instead. 

You're in a hurry to an appointment with your kids and don't know when the bus shows up?  Just look at the electronic board at each bust stop, it will tell you. Precisely. If the bus is ever more than 10 minutes late you are allowed to take a cab and be reimbursed by the bus company for the trouble.   

Your child is sick and the new doctor doesn't have your history?  No problem, just give the social security number and everything you ever wanted to know is right there.  Very helpful.  No need to bring the wallet, health care for kids is always free with no co payment. Going to a new pharmacy and forgot your discount card?  Your rebate is automatically discounted and the there is a small yearly cap.

Do you have to stop and/or slow down to pay road tolls, like EZpass?   There is no need to stop or even slow down to pay for Stockholm's new city car toll. Going 70 mph works just fine.  Your license plate is automatically read by a scanner and the money deducted from an account of your choice. 

You need high tech solutions to clean the water in your country?  Tap water here tastes like Evian.  Even better though, you can drink the water from any lake, river, or stream without getting sick. The water out of the lake at our summer house up north tastes better than the finest spring water.

Those are just a few things I find useful, especially as I move around with  children.  Top tech capital of the world? I discreetly agree, which is the way Swedes usually do things.

Our society infrastructure is very advanced and offer many seemingly boring and obvious solutions that are incredibly useful.  It's a pleasure being a high tech SAHD in this country.

Categories: Family, Geek section, Kid stuff
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