Technology moves at speeds that can be unimaginable to the average person. Where once was a roomful of interconnected computers to power the entire operations of a business now sits a smartphone, a no-touch interface or some other smart device.
And with technology intertwined with every facet of a normal person’s life, whether that’s business-related or not, one thing remains certain: Technology will continue to affect people’s lives, even in the most profound of ways, something technology-based businesses will certainly embrace, and with a great amount of creativity.
As Positronic, an interconnect solutions provider, likes to say, “It’s all about product flexibility and value to customers.”
Technology and the future
In 2011, Watson, IBM’s artificially intelligent super computer, bested two former winners and received the grand prize of $1 million in the game show Jeopardy! Just recently, iOS has introduced us to Siri, that intelligent personal assistant that can make recommendations, answer questions and carry out requests.
Given these breakthroughs, it’s probably just normal for this question to pop up: What’s next?
Indeed, what is next in line? Take a look at the following futuristic technologies that are expected to become commonplace 10 years from now:
-
Roll-up laptops
If the influx of ultrabooks hasn’t yet dispelled the notion that tablet computers are more portable than laptops, roll-up technology just might change that. Roll-up laptops can be carried around in thermos-style containers.
-
Driverless cars
Also referred to as robotic or self-driving cars, autonomous vehicles are expected to fulfill the capabilities of a human driver. With one, you don’t need to force yourself behind the wheel, especially if you’re not capable, or hire a chauffeur. What more, you can do whatever you please, like chat with your best friend, and not worry about road accidents, or anything similar.
-
Wi-Fi everywhere
Free (or almost free) Wi-Fi is fast becoming a trend among businesses to attract more customers. And if you’re the customer, you have to be where a Wi-Fi hotspot is to be able to connect to the Internet. With Wi-Fi everywhere, you don’t have to go to airports, malls, coffee shops, among others, to stay online because Wi-Fi will be anywhere imaginable.
-
See-through smartphones
In February, Polytron Technologies showed off its see-through smartphone prototype to the guys over at MobileGeeks.com. The phone wasn’t fully functional yet nor 100% transparent, but the Taiwan-based company is hard at work to perfect the product. Naysayers, especially those who find it easy to lose their phones, are saying, “What’s the point?” Well, they just might find out in due time, if and when the phone goes into mass production.
-
“Super” watches
Your phone strapped onto your wrist all the time is a cool thing, especially if you’re the type who relies heavily on your phone and thinks that placing it in and out of your pocket multiple times a day is a monumental waste of time.
While the already released smart watches aren’t yet as fully polished as most smartphone users would like them to be, strides have already been made, and the way things are going, it will only be a matter of time before the most satisfactory model comes out.
Conclusion
Technology, indeed, has come a long way. That being said, we should never lose sight of the fact that the reason technology came into existence is to lighten humankind’s productivity load and leave us with ample time to take care of the things that matter more.
As Greg Satell, a Forbes.com contributor puts it, “the future of technology, ironically, is all too human.” And more often than not, what makes humans human is the value they place in their connections, personal or otherwise.
Image credit: twobee | FreeDigitalPhotos.net
