Tech Trends for 2006

By: Source: AARP.org Date Posted: 2006-03-28 14:56:00-05:00

I enjoy watching trends in technology. The technology business is always fast-paced and sometimes surprising. When you think about it, isn't it amazing how quickly fax machines came and went? Isn't it astonishing how fast CDs and DVDs have become commonplace? Everyone from grade-school children to grandparents are using cell phones. It all seems to have happened in record time. What in the world could come next?

I believe one of the next big things to hit the scene will be robotics. We already have Roomba, a robotic floor vacuum, Scooba, a robotic floor cleaner, and Robosapien, a robotic toy that mimics a human personality. The life-size ASIMO robot by Honda can walk, run, hold hands, carry a tray, push a cart, and greet people. Each of these represent first steps toward robots that perform useful tasks as well as serving as companions. The current crop of robots can recognize objects and are even able to return to their charging cradles when their power runs low. As components get cheaper and quality improves, you can expect to see many more amazing household helpers and robotic toys.

When we talk about technology trends, we can't forget about hi-definition television. FCC mandates will contribute to hi-def TV becoming more and more commonplace. The bigger the screen, the better that hi-definition programs look, so the trend is toward larger screens that are becoming thinner in order to fit into ordinary homes. In addition to LCD and plasma screens, expect to see several new types of television screens as manufacturers scramble to claim a part of the hi-def TV pie.

I also expect that the trend toward incorporating the functions of a computer into a television, and vice versa, will continue. Television programs can be viewed on computers and computers can be wired into televisions. Both devices are being leveraged in ways that make multi-media content easy to view and interact with. No one has the winning combination just yet, but you can expect to see plenty of different television, computer, and digital video recorder combinations in the near future.

With so many people wanting to be constantly connected to each other as well as to the Internet, it should be no surprise that cell phones will continue to soar in popularity. More and more features will be added as manufacturers test the water for new ideas. Internet telephone calling like Skype and Google Talk will gain in popularity as people discover them as alternatives to long-distance telephone charges. And many new products will come with built-in connectivity. Sewing machines can now access the Internet for patterns, and ovens, microwaves and bread machines can receive cooking instructions over the Internet. There will be more and more of these smart, connected devices introduced into the marketplace.

Last but not least, look for personalized customization to continue to be the craze. Computers, music players, and cell phones are all being created in a variety of colors. Sony has red, green, and blue laptops. Motorola's popular RAZR phone comes in two shades of pink, and MP3 players can be found in every color of the rainbow. Skins of thin plastic film can be purchased to make portable devices even more unique, enabling you to cover your cell phone with pictures of Elvis and put tri-color stripes on your music player. Ring tones, carrying cases, and lanyards are just a few of the accessories that can add additional personalization.

As usual, there is much to look forward to when it comes to technology, and the AARP Computers and Technology Web site and Message Boards can help you to understand it as well as how to take advantage of what it has to offer.