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Davie Webb

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The internet, 10 years from now.

I would like ask the TED community where they thought the internet would be 10 years from now.

Now i'm no computer enthusiast by any means, nor do I posses computer skills any more advanced that your average open minded 25 year old. Today, I looked back on what computers, inparticularly the internet, have gone from to in such a short space of time and I was impressed to say the extreme least.

I have heard internet, mobile phone and computer companies are holding back 5 and even ten years worth of technology in order to continually make profit in the coming years. What could they be holding back?

I just have a few questions i'd be delighted put to TED and gather some ideas to accompany my own.

> Are there any limitations?
> Surely there is only so fast the internet can be?
> Will the speed of technological evolution slow down? Increase? perhaps an Inverted U?

My main question is however,

> What specific additions, functions or abilities do you see computers and the Internet obtaining in the next ten years?

- I want to know what my 2021 laptop will be able to do!?

Thanks for your time and ideas - Davie Webb

Topics: Google Internet computer computer programming data compiling technology future technology internet education microsoft technology world technology network
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    Tim blackburn 30+

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    Jul 18 2011: hopefully like tron haha
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    simon roger

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    Jul 17 2011: hi Birdia, thanks for the info. It will take me a while to go through all the links in that conversation...but great and funny people participating...;-)
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    Jim Moonan 30+

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    Jul 10 2011: It (the Internet, I fear, will evolve into a commodity that we will have to buy access to; it's happening already.

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      simon roger

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      Jul 15 2011: i play around since years with that idea...is anything concrete going on in that area...is it physically achievable...will it arrive as a app of the smart phone first and then develop in a small chip in our nails or ears?

  • Chris Molanus

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    May 27 2011: The Internet as a communications network will undoubtedly be faster, more reliable and ubiquitous(Similar to electricity).
    Faster backbone connections likely measured in the Peta bytes with shorter delays.
    Reliable in the sense of packet loss, routing stability, last hop QoS(hopefully opt in and configurable) and up time.
    Ubiquitous in the sense of, for example your personal profiles stored online that can be used by multiple systems to customize them selves to your preferences e.g. temperature of your rental car, whether or not you like to be asked if you need help when you walk into a store. Your laptop will simply be a device for which you can use only certain services on the internet with.

    The Internet as a service (e.g. information research, shopping, entertainment) will likely become more commercial. Free services will still exist but are likely to be outdone by pay services. People can be coerced into paying for a service that can be obtained for free if it is marketed as being more prestigious or better. And with more capital you Can build a better service.

    The Internet as a social meeting ground will likely diversify, e.g facebook for 30+ split product wise from facebook for 10 to 25 year olds. The playing field will likely become more regulated by governments (gradually, as to allow people to become comfortable and familiar with the concept, like phone tapping). Service devoted to more specialized social interaction will gain momentum e.g a service directed to lovers or Salsa dancing where users can talk and share in the evolution of that interest.

    And that is just what at that time will be considered to be the trivial changes over the past 10 years.

  • Chandler Day

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    May 25 2011: I'm not sure what the net will be like in the future. But I do know that I dont want anyone restricting access and regulating what we can access in the net.
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    Ken brown 30+

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    May 25 2011: In ten years?

    Hopefully a worldwide fibreoptic system and totally intuitive/interactive browsers tailored to each of our own uniqueness.
    How long did intel forecast silicon developement before we have to look at using something else? 4 generations of chips left?

    I'm a Sci-Fi nut so all is obtainable,will we still have keyboards or use real time speech rec systems with eyetrackers or would the technology for that be just starting to take off in the private sector,24hr bodycams for the next generation of social networking,a more energy efficient use of low power usage for companies that have a server system or would we have a small chip which we hide in our hat and plug into ourselves via a small display port on the side of our necks?Freaky! but unrealistic.

    Most probaly be government controlled and data sharing restrictions to just the minimun.
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