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Science/Tech See other Science/Tech Articles Title: Five Tech Predictions for 2018 TEHRAN (FNA)- It is now a new year and time for my five technology predictions. 2017 was a very interesting year for many reasons, even outside of technology. I have a feeling 2018 is going to be just as eventful, if not more so. 1. You will see more “smart” objects. I am not just talking about the internet of things where you can control your lights from the internet. I am talking about objects that can perform functions. Sort of like your smartphone ... but happen to be some other type of object. Amazon already has the Echo Spot and Show. These are both powered by voice commands but can perform all kinds of actions from calculations, playing games, looking up facts and, of course, turning on your lights. I wouldn’t be surprised if it will be “apps” for your lights that do more than just light up a room. 2. The 2018 midterm elections in November will experience a technology controversy. Not over a bill or policy about technology but rather the ethical or legal use of technology in the campaign. I think the drama surrounding the 2016 campaign with the question of whether the Russian government did or did not attempt to influence the US election is just the first glimpse at a new reality. Foreign entities have an interest in using technology in an attempt to influence the election. There also are other parties interested in faking or framing an action by foreign governments. And finally, there has been so much suspicion raised that I believe even if everything is done squeaky clean, there will be accusations of something dirty going on. 3. There will be a new cell phone announced that will have a rather unusual screen. To be honest, I am a little torn about what that screen might be. Several companies have been working on “foldable” screens and there are speculations a dual screen phone reminiscent of a flip phone could be in the works. In any case, I believe someone is going to try to break the boring old single rectangular flat screen. 4. Microsoft will have a good year. The CEO of Microsoft, Satya Nadella, has really turned things around. There are still plenty of worn out services Microsoft provides that everyone loves to hate (...Windows), however I think Microsoft has regained its stride. They have dropped product lines they are not good at, such as the Windows Phone and modernized some of their bread and butter offerings such as creating a web version of Microsoft Office. I would be surprised if they have any “big” announcements such as new product lines or acquisitions in 2018, but I think they will continue to be a healthy, yet mature, business. 5. The Net Neutrality battle will continue. In December of 2017, the FCC ended the policy known as Net Neutrality, which required internet service providers to treat all internet traffic equally. On one hand, the discussion around Net Neutrality before it was terminated did raise the public’s awareness of the issue. Unfortunately for consumers, the term “Net Neutrality” is being redefined to fit political agendas. In other words, Net Neutrality has different meanings. This will muddle the debate and make things worse. In the meantime, internet service providers will be creative in how they bill their customers based on content (Comcast has already started) and consumers will start complaining more. Since the FCC controls access for everything from broadband internet to wireless communication, the situation will not be resolved in 2018. Post Comment Private Reply Ignore Thread Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest
#1. To: Tatarewicz (#0)
Sounds like things will continue to suck for the consumer. Less freedom at a higher cost. “The most dangerous man to any government is the man who is able to think things out... without regard to the prevailing superstitions and taboos. Almost inevitably he comes to the conclusion that the government he lives under is dishonest, insane, intolerable.” ~ H. L. Mencken
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