Web Learners Blog

 Have you ever wondered what our world will be like in the year 2020 and how it will effect the way that we do business? Will we be flying around in space crafts or beaming ourselves to meetings? Probably not considering this is only 11 years away, but by now you have probably guessed that the internet is going to play an even bigger role in our lives in 11 years than it does today. Lets take a look at where some futurist see the way we will do business in the future.

Hardware and Internet Devices

The next 11 years or so will produce the next phase in accessing the internet. Laptops as we know them today will become nothing more than antiques and mobile devices and appliances will dominate the internet. The days of buttons are over.  Habtic Touchscreen technology and Voice activated appliances will be the main form of communicating with our devices.

If your company isn't looking into mobile technology then I would suggest looking into it now and developing a plan for the future. It is only increasing in popularity and mobile phones are getting better by the day. In fact this phenomenon is already starting to take place with the invention of the BlackBerry Storm and the iPhone.

Software Applications

Software in 202o works much differently than today. First, it will all be collaborative and social, allowing people to collaborate on projects in an easy and effective manner. Second, it will be web based and easily accessible from any internet connected device.We are already seeing many application come off the desktop and onto the web today with Google Apps and Amazon's cloud computing technology.

It is also predicted that software in 2011 will be self healing. This means that when an error or problem arises it will heal itself. Each application will send constant data back to the host letting them know about errors. Making it possible for the software company to fix your software before you even notice it had a problem.

This style of hosted applications will make computing much more cost effective for companies allowing them to purchase lower cost licensing and spending less on support as the applications will most likely be hosted offsite.

 Virtual Reality or Reality

In 2020, especially for the youngsters, there will be a blur between virtual reality and what we call real life. We will be constantly connected to social networks via mobile devices, GEO clothing, Smart Dust and other future inventions that will act as a 3-D experience for us to interact with friends, co workers and customers.

Most well-equipped Internet users will spend some part of their waking hours-at work and at play-at least partially linked to augmentations of the real world or alternate worlds. This lifestyle involves seamless transitions between artificial reality, virtual reality, and the status formerly known as "real life." 

The 3-D Web ecosystem is developing quickly. Offering ideal design spaces for social and economic experimentation, rapid-prototyping and customized and decentralized products. Websites such as Second Life, and  World of Warcraft already have their footprint in the virtual reality space. If fact, I have my own virtual Avatar from Second Life that I was able to attend a "virtual networking event" with. Associations across the world watch out! These events were excellent and included signing in at the front door, exchanging business cards and sharing ideas.

A 2007 Gartner study estimated 80% of all active Internet users will have virtual selves by the end of 2011. I think this is a little aggressive, but who knows.

The work environment

We are already seeing large companies hiring "work from home staff" today. This wave is going to increase in the future. As virtual worlds and virtual technology gets better, paying for brick-n-mortar won't be necessary for some business's. Even retail will focus more on online sales and virtual world sales in 2020.

Business meetings, sales presentations and much more will be done in a virtual environment. In fact this technology is already here today with Second Life's Grid technology.

The bottom line is that the internet is changing the way that we will do business in the future at a rapid rate. If your business is not looking closely at the future you are slipping in the past. In today's economy you are going to start seeing many businesses flourish using new technology while others simply vanish in the wind. Don't let your company be the later. Start today.

Please  comments below about other future business elements that were not mentioned

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