Predictions – Part I: Technology and Science

At the end of 2004, I made some predictions about the upcoming year and I thought it was time to try again. I predict the following for 2009…

Getting Online: Google finally reveals a 10 year plan to provide free wireless internet service to every city in the US. From a business perspective, the financial benefits of having a captive online audience (Google would be the required homepage and search engine) are going to quickly exceed the costs of building a wireless network. Personally, I think this is something the government should do as access to the internet increases commerce, education, and equality.

Energy: This is more of a hope, but 2009 could start the beginning of a new age of energy production. I don’t expect too much this year, but if the United States whole-heartily invests in the research, production, and implementation of natural sources of energy (solar, winds, tidal, etc), it would fundamentally change the underlying economics and planning for both emerging and growing areas. Furthermore, this technology must be a gift to the world, given freely for all to use. I guess I will have to wait a few decades to see if this is the moment when it all started to change. I hope the oil producing countries see the writing on the wall and diversify before its too late.


Space: Once again, we will learn nothing useful from our exploration of deep space. Although it is truly interesting, it just won’t prove to have a more holistic value back here on earth (again).


Technology: Cell phones will become more expensive than laptops. Speaking of, why can’t laptops come with a wireless mouse embedding in the casing (kinda like that Bluetooth headset built into the phone). Also, why don’t laptops have the option to have Ooma built in (free phone service). It could link to your wireless connection and even have a bluetooth headset build in (right next to the mouse).


Entertainment: The beginning of the DVR revolution. In a few years your DVR will allow you to access any show that was on, on any channel, within the last month. Currently, the biggest Tivo DVR can record 1,350 hours of regular tv. That is enough to record everything your ten favorite channels, 20 hours a day, for seven day. This uses a 1 terabyte hard drive. Increase that 10 terabytes and can record 20 channels, 24 hours a day, for an entire month. Everything will always be “on-demand”.

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