| Jim Edwards - All Rights reserved | | | | to someone. |
| -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- | | | | I now doubt that more traditional functions like this will |
| Most people making predictions about the future never | | | | adopt video conferencing. |
| face accountability for their erroneous or vague | | | | The "little guy" will get completely swallowed up by big |
| forecasts. | | | | business? NO. |
| "Experts" predict future developments, especially online, | | | | Enhancements in technology will allow creative and |
| and only follow up if they happen to hit correctly. | | | | innovative companies to compete on a scale with |
| I, however, will gladly hold myself accountable for the | | | | enormous companies. |
| following forecast of exciting developments that will | | | | New ideas, innovations and the ability to bring them to |
| revolutionize use of the Internet for all of us within the | | | | market quickly through powerful online channels will |
| next twelve to thirty six months. | | | | dictate the initial success or failure in business. |
| Entertainment | | | | However, once the business gets established, the "little |
| Download movies through your computer? YES. | | | | guy" will always lose to the "business" that operates |
| With more than 50% of all online access in the U.S. | | | | like a business. |
| now at broadband speed, the infrastructure for | | | | Companies large and small learned how to market |
| downloading movies exists. Combine that with the | | | | online correctly in the last few years, so now long-term |
| availability of cheap CD- burners, TiVo, and portable | | | | success directly relates to the ability to operate like a |
| players like the new Sony PSP, and all the ingredients | | | | business, not a "lone gun" operating from an Internet |
| now exist for movies on-demand over the Internet. | | | | connection in a spare room. |
| Live performances by famous and unknown artists? | | | | Social |
| YES. | | | | An increasing feeling of loneliness and isolation for |
| Emerging talents will get "discovered" by the popular | | | | people who work online? YES. |
| culture through live broadcasts, "Podcasting" and other | | | | It rates much easier for people to retreat into a "virtual" |
| "events" over the Internet. | | | | world, filled with virtual friends and relationships, than to |
| "Podcasting" in particular will drive the social network | | | | face reality in the offline world. |
| effect of people passing along new music and content | | | | I think this trend of psychic disconnect will continue until |
| to friends. | | | | people realize they need a balance of offline friends |
| Business | | | | and interests too. |
| True freedom and mobility through video | | | | Three general developments will drive this next wave |
| conferencing? NO. | | | | of technological innovation: faster, cheaper computer |
| About 3 years ago, I predicted that individuals providing | | | | processors; increased access to broadband Internet; |
| personal services such as bookkeeping, accounting, | | | | and cheap data storage devices with huge capacity. |
| writing, computer programming or other consulting | | | | I also think one of the most important developments to |
| functions would use inexpensive and highly portable | | | | watch in the next year involves any portable device |
| video conferencing access and equipment to provide | | | | that allows the user to take digital media with them. |
| face-to-face personal interaction. | | | | In particular, portable MP3 players and portable digital |
| I was wrong. People have discovered that, with some | | | | video players, present the most exciting and explosive |
| things, it's just plain easier to pick up the phone and talk | | | | possibilities for growth. |