2020 Technology - by Phil97
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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
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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
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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
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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
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The internet becomes indistinguishable from TV, except for its real-time
interactivity and voice-of-the-masses aspects.
(Mobile) Phones
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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
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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
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Old nuclear power stations are phased out and the new fusion reactors
come on line. Power bills drop drastically.
Medicine
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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.
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| / |_/ // \ / \ / / /\_\/\ \_| \/ \__/ |\/ |
| / ___// | \ \ \/__ \___ \ / _/\ |
| /___|\__/___|___\__/______/\ \__|___\-/___|\/ |
`--\___\| \___\____\_\______\/-------\____\\___\|---'
end
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