Essentials
It can be argued that tech is a want not a need. The opposite can be argued. The answer to what a need vs. a want is, is not a one-size-fits-all answer.
What is a need for you, is a want for me...maybe vice-versa. Maybe the important thing to do is find out what tech is a need for me, for you, for whoever, and eliminate any fixation on the tech that is a want.
For me...all signs point to open source solutions benefiting the broad needs of humanity. That is, tech which is built on open standards and process, and which creates a high value around the life standards of many.
As much as possible I have tried to focus on this.