2020 Technology - by Phil97 --------------------------- Ok, I'll stick my neck out and give some of my predications for the world of technology for the year 2020. Nothing outrageously unlikely, just evolved forms of todays stuff... Televisions ----------- With the cathode ray tube finally dead and buried, TV screens just look like pieces of glass that'll hang on the wall. The whole concept of TV as a pseudo social centre-piece-of-the-home vanishes. RF broadcasting fizzles out; Everyone has a 2 way cable connection. Video Recorders --------------- VHS is dead and rotting in hell! As if it shouldnt be already! There probably wont be much need for video recorders anyway as programmes and films (which will be 3D epics where computer generated actors and sets are indistinguishable from reality) will be available on demand. Computers --------- People have always shunned products that attempt to merge the home computer and other "entertainment media" but these have always been half-assed novelties. Once the true information super highway is with us, it'll make perfect sense to access the internet / games / TV / HIFI via the home's "info-centre", which may well have a verbal user interface. The whole system will live in a little cupboard under the stairs, which only needs to be accessed to plug in upgrade modules etc. Internet -------- The internet becomes indistinguishable from TV, except for its real-time interactivity and voice-of-the-masses aspects. (Mobile) Phones --------------- BTs archaic analogue system is long gone. The phone merges into the homes info centre. Live video of the caller is taken for granted (costs more!). Mobiles become video wristwatches or a general smart credit card thing. Any data from the home base info-centre can be redirected to the personal mobile. Cars ---- Fossil fuels are judged too valuable, expensive and polluting for use in cars. Old folk moan but more mellow people embrace new eco-frienldy electric (or hydrogen power) vehicles cus they didnt see the need to roar about at 120+mph anyway. Roads become less congested cus more people work from home. Power Generation ---------------- Old nuclear power stations are phased out and the new fusion reactors come on line. Power bills drop drastically. Medicine -------- Due to the mapping of the whole of human DNA, much understanding is gained about genetic diseases and how to test for / cure them. Many such diseases are completely wiped out with gene-therapy. -- _______ __ __ _ _____ __ _______ ________ .--- \_ __ \\ | /\|_|\\ /\/_/\/ ____/\\____ _/\--. | / |_/ // \ / \ / / /\_\/\ \_| \/ \__/ |\/ | | / ___// | \ \ \/__ \___ \ / _/\ | | /___|\__/___|___\__/______/\ \__|___\-/___|\/ | `--\___\| \___\____\_\______\/-------\____\\___\|---' end |