“Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity and change.”
― Brene Brown
2023 was undeniably tough for many, but it was also a revolutionary year for others, wasn’t it? For me, it was the year I integrated AI into my coding projects, adopted a groundbreaking payment method, and continued using secure online services.
Looking ahead to 2024, I’m optimistic. With these powerful tech tools, I can realize the global and secure tech lifestyle I’ve always dreamed of. Here are three notable tech products I used extensively last year and plan to continue using in the upcoming year.
Revolut:
Image: https://www.revolut.com/
Revolut is a powerful financial app. There are several reasons why this app has become indispensable in my life. Here are a few powerful features of the app that could significantly enhance your international transactions.
No exchanging fees:
When you buy something from an international website using the local currency, there’s a hidden cost involved, especially if you’re using a traditional credit card. Take my situation, for example: Living in Japan, I often shop for foreign gadgets. When I buy these gadgets priced in USD using JPY, there are always transaction fees, and they’re not small. However, with Revolut, there are no exchange fees.
Optimized exchange rate:
Another advantage of Revolut is that it offers the most favorable exchange rate for international purchases. Typically, when you use a standard credit card for international shopping, the exchange rate applied is based on the rate at the time the transaction is processed. With Revolut, you get the best rate at the time of your purchase.
Security:
Imagine a scenario where you want to buy something from a foreign website, but the site is relatively new and seems a bit untrustworthy. You might be hesitant to provide your credit card number. This is where the Revolut Single-use card number comes in handy. As the name implies, it generates a temporary, one-time-use card number. This allows you to make purchases on the website while keeping your actual credit card details private. isn’t that cool?
The features I’ve mentioned are just the beginning of what this feature-rich financial app has to offer. Available on both Android and iOS, explore the app to see what it can do for you and discover your own ways to enhance your financial freedom.
ChatGPT 4
Image: https://openai.com/
Even though it costs $20 a month, I find it worth paying for ChatGPT. As a programmer, the advanced prompting features of ChatGPT have significantly enhanced my tech life. Before, I relied on a Japanese Q&A website or a paid mentoring service like MENTA. MENTA was reasonably priced, but as I worked on various personal projects to build my portfolio, the costs of consulting different mentors added up.
The introduction of ChatGPT 4, however, changed everything. For just $20 a month, I no longer need to pay for separate mentoring sessions. By asking specific questions, I can get the information I need and even solve coding issues. ChatGPT 4 not only addresses my needs for just $20 a month but also ends up saving me a lot of money in the long run.
Proton:
Proton is often seen as Europe’s counterpart to Google Workspace. From Proton Mail to Proton Drive, and everything in between, Proton provides secure online productivity tools. What sets them apart from other online services is their commitment to user privacy – they don’t censor content for big tech companies, nor do they sell user data to advertisers. Since their revenue isn’t ad-based, they rely on user subscriptions for income.
Unlike Google’s products, which are generally free, Proton’s services are subscription-based. But isn’t it worth paying for products that are transparent about their revenue model, rather than using free ones that aren’t clear about how they profit?
Conclusion:
In summary, these products have done more than just protect my privacy; they’ve revolutionized my experience with technology. Now, technology is deeply intertwined with my daily life, and this trend is only growing stronger. My tech universe is becoming more exciting than ever. I hope this essay inspires you to ignite your own tech universe and expand it in your own unique way!