By Victor Henderson/multimedia editor

We are closer to being the Jetsons than ever before.

Technology has come a long way since phonographs, communication devices, maps and visual entertainment were all separate entities. Today, we can find all of those things wrapped in one, and it fits in our pocket.

Our television sets can connect to our music playlists on our mobile devices. We can have a conversation not just on our phones but with our phones, and they actually respond with wit. We even live in a world where a hologram of a rapper who died nearly 20 years ago performed at a music festival two years ago.

With all of these advances, however, some things seem left in the dark ages.

It might sound lazy, but where are we on tires filling themselves up with air from the atmosphere as we drive? Why isn’t that standard now?

Of course, some tires require nitrogen gas, but many drivers’ wheels aren’t that picky. This leaves us with the chore of getting out of our cars (rain, sleet, sun or snow), bending down and pumping air into the tires.

It is nice to know that glasses are on the market that can record video and search Google at the sound of our voice, but where are our hovercars and rocket packs? Even if those haven’t acquired reliable transportation status, it would be nice if there were at least parks that allowed these types of amazing toys to be more mainstream.

Regardless of where we aren’t in technology, the things we do have are nothing short of remarkable. Central heating and cooling, water purification systems and indoor plumbing are great reminders that even though we aren’t where we’d like to be, we have surely come a long way.

I’d definitely rather live in a world where telekinesis remains something to dream about and a phone can be a map, DJ booth and communication device, but I am eager to see what advances come about in the next decade or two.