Final Entry! C:

SPRING 2011 COM 125: Introduction to the Internet

Blog Entry 10: Future of the Internet

So what's going to happen to the Internet after all we've seen now?

I was browsing the net and came across this article entitled, "6 Predictions for the Future of the Internet" written in December 2009. Link: http://sixrevisions.com/web-technology/6-predictions-for-the-future-of-the-internet/

Here are the 6 predictions this writer had in 2009:

1. Audio Web surfing - Voice-activated web surfing

2. Web surf on any device - Surf on your refrigerator? Microwave oven?

3. Input revisited - Types of input technology, like the universal mouse?

4. Mobile networking - Android? Apple?

5. The end of .com domination - No .com, just pl.ain.te.xt.lik.e.t.his

6. IE stops being used - Internet Explorer gone forever?

Right now, here we are in 2011, watching some of these predictions actually coming true. This is what I think about the predictions from 2009.

1. True. Some computers now use voice activation, like how mobile phones use voice-activation to call various contacts. Like if I want to call "mum", I say "call mum" to my phone and it would start dialing.

2. Almost true. Companies like Microsoft have developed a computerized table where you can do anything, like uploading pictures. Web surfing on any web device is really close to coming true as many companies have been trying to develop computerized "everythings".

3. Many types of input systems have been produced lately, and finding the one best input system is along the way.

4. Definitely happening now. With the advent of Android and Apple, we see everyone on their smart phones networking and surfing the Internet at any time of the day.

5. Hard to say. Not happening yet, though many would actually be for this idea when people start realizing that there are not enough .com addresses for EVERYONE. 16 to 32 bit?

6. Not happening in the near future. IE is the most used web browser at present, followed by Firefox and Google Chrome. Since IE was established first, it may be the case that many are still more comfortable with using IE than the other new and upcoming browsers.

In just less than 2 years, we are seeing so many changes to the Internet, that it is hard to keep track of the changes, and predictions of the future Internet probably has to be updated every month... or maybe even everyday. It's scary to think about it.

Of course, we can't blame developers for wanting to keep up with the needs and demands of the current tech-savvy generation. As we change and become more dependent on the Internet, so do the functions of the Internet need to change.

Here's my prediction: Web 3.0. The Internet that learns, and predicts a user's move. Not too far away I believe (: