Our grandparents saw cars come into
prominence, the mass production of consumer electronics, and the beginning of
mass radio media. Our parents grew up watching “TV kill the radio star”, and
then we’ve watched the YouTube stars eclipse even those stars.
*To
make an over-used joke by one of my favorite artists *
“The times… they
are a changing” [Bob Dylan]
As internet grew we saw the stages:
Web 1.0, where we could finally access the world of information; Web 2.0, where
we could interact with that information, and more importantly talk to our
friends, share our own media and learn. Web 3.0 though, will be where
every[thing] changes. All devices, in communication and automation will
increase daily efficiency, not just in communication, but in every task.
People like to gawk at the
so-called “internet of things” because we think of gimmick products like
talking toasters, or motion detecting robot voices telling us too much
information. I believe the most important thing in the future will not just be
that everything is connected, or the fact that you can control it from the couch,
but automation.
Smartphone control will be somewhat
useful for things like music, lights, and manually turning on appliances (all
things already possible). But the change really happens when we are pulled out
of the equation, when “smart” functions don’t just mean apps, but cued tasks
built on analysis of our actions.
Imagine getting out of work,
walking over to your car that is waiting for you (time, and geography
locations, etc) getting in and having all the day’s news given to you via
hologram, or audio, or both. I don’t just mean the kind of news you get through
you’re likely to use meet your desired temperature. The lights on the roads
turn on only when you’re approaching, not need to waste power keeping them on
constantly. All your groceries arrived while apps today, but a feed of updates
on family, friends, your local community, sports teams, and anything else you
like. The car drives itself home, and based on how close you are to home, all
the areas of the house you were working, based on personal preferences of
brands, and how much was left at home. You might have chosen some of the meals,
but if you didn’t have time they were selected for you.
No worries though, just because you had Pizza the last few
days doesn’t mean the system thinks you still want pizza, it understands your
probably getting sick of it. It was cold today though, and you seemed dejected
at work, so it’s decided you need your favorite soup when you get home.
In unison
your vehicle geography, security system, and usually habits know you’re home.
The kids have been doing there homework, knowing their progress was being
monitored by you throughout the day. They know all their social devices and
media access is conditional on your biometric authentication.
As you
walk through your home, your lights follow you, temperature quickly adjusts,
and any media you’re using in transferred to where you are. Going to bed is
easy, knowing that the bathroom will be warm, the coffee will be made, and your
boss will be notified automatically if the weather is bad that you’ll be late,
before you’ve even left the house. Your calendar, your body, your preferences,
you control the world without needing to program or other action.
The future world isn’t about smart phones, or tablets, it’s
about subconscious convenience. It’s about maximizing time, by eliminating unnecessary
tasks.
Oh what a time to be alive.
