Since 2005 I have been working within the world of Datalogging, this is my overview and thoughts over the past 14 years!
Where to start?
In 2005 things were “simpler” there were only 3 Operating systems, Windows, macOS and Linux, with the majority using Windows. The nearest thing to a touch screen was a Palm PDA, most phones had a physical dial pad! We even still had a communication port that didnt require any drivers, this was call a serial port (RS232), granted USB was quicker just! Back then software was mostly installed and sold via a physical CD/DVD rather than a download.
The WDSS by Vernier was one of the first wireless sensors for physics, you could finally “cut the cord” when i can to Centripetal Force experiments. However back them the Bluetooth radios were all slightly different (unlike the current Bluetooth), if you had a Nokia phone you would need a Nokia compatible Bluetooth Hand free kit, if you had a Motorola it would be the same. This did create lots of fear fro ma technical support side of things. Thankfully things have improved.
2019
We still have the “standard” sized USB port but now some Laptop have moved to a USB C port, virtually all Mobile phones are Smartphones with Touch Screen’s