What does future hold for technos?

Jan 14 2010 by David Coxon, The Journal

WE are well into January, and it's not only a new year, but also a new decade, so this might be a good time to look into the IT crystal ball and see what's in store for gadgeteers.

One of the most anticipated technologies this year is the much talked about tablet or touch-screen laptop.

It’s likely that both Apple and Microsoft will get a tablet out this year. With Apple’s flair for design and intuitive interfaces, they may have as much impact on the laptop market as the iphone had on the mobile market, where as the rumoured Microsoft Courier with its multiple screens looks set to revolutionise the ebook/personal organiser market.

Microsoft’s Project Natal is another technology that could change the way that we interact with technology in 2010. It’s a gesture-based game controller, similar to Nintendo’s Wii but without the need for a physical controller.

Building gestures into an operating system could mean the ability to navigate complex file systems or turn pages simply by sliding your hand back and forth or adjusting the volume of your TV by making a turning motion with your hand.

Other developments in home entertainment include the introduction of a dedicated 3D channel on Sky. There are even rumours of the World Cup in 3D, although it’s likely that this wouldn’t be live due to the time taken to process the 3D images, and that it requires a compatible 3DTV and special glasses to view it.

Another possibility for home entertainment is that broadband TV could become a reality in 2010. Project Canvas, the IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) venture backed by BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Five, BT and Talk Talk could see the integration of social media, iplayer and even movies on demand, built into TVs.

Smart phones are likely to continue to gain popularity, with Google’s Nexus One (built on android technology) giving the iphone a run for its money.

With the growing number of people using smart-phone technologies, there will be a continued growth of location-aware technologies, with devices utilising the built-in GPRS compasses, accelerometers and cameras to provide augmented reality and more relevant search information.

No matter what the future holds, technology will continue to evolve, and play a greater role in our day to day lives, although the technology itself may fade into the background as devices become increasingly ubiquitous.

David Coxon is IT manager at the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art