The internet is not a static thing. It is constantly changing, evolving, devolving (Spam), and being modified to accomodate a huge variety and wants and needs. Predicting what it will be like next week, let alone a year or decade from now, is nefarious at best. Nevertheless, there are certain trends emerging, applications developing, and technological barriers being overcome, that allow us to predict some spectacular new changes and capabilities that will be considered common place on the internet in the very near future. On this page, we’ll look at some of those developing trends and technologies and attempt to extrapolate what effects they will have on your everyday usage of the internet in the near future.

WEB TRENDS FOR THE FUTURE

Internet 2

With speeds hundreds of times faster, new protocols to extend its usage, and dual fiber optic backbones, Internet2 is close and dazzling. Currently being developed and tested at universities across the country, internet 2 will dramatically improve the amount and speed of data we receive over the internet.

Fiber Optics

The use of fiber optics greatly increases both transmission speeds and capacity. Forming the backbone of the Internet even now, fiber optics will eventually run right to, and inside, the house. Using photons instead of electrons to carry data, copper wire is replaced by glass fibers, each capable of carrying thousands of different data packets simultaneously. Fiber optic cables are made up of hundreds or thousands of these thin glass strands. In-house fiber networks will allow multiple data streams (high definition TV, computer data, 3D surround sound, data from security sensors) to be sent simultaneously to all areas of your house. Each connected device will select only the data signal it needs.

Video on Demand

With Internet2’s higher data rates and better compression technologies, you will be able to download your favorite movie, video documentary or course in seconds. Capable of providing multiple resolutions varying from DVD quality (for video conferencing) to high definition (for movies and shows), you will be able to choose not only the title to download, but also the quality. You will be able to request product information videos when shopping. Students can tale video courses providing videoconferencing with fellow students and professors and downloading instructional video simultaneously.

Access to Information

More information is going online every day: entire libraries, encyclopedias, government , university, and corporate reports and research. More of this information will be in multimedia form, especially newspapers and magazines.  Access to digital libraries containing this multimedia information combined with intelligent search engines capable of translating your questions into sophisticated search requests will allow you to quickly find and view the information you seek.

Group Meetings

Video conferencing will prove itself a cost effective alternative to face to face meetings, conferences, and conventions. One to One, One to Many, and Many to Many formats will all work effectively in the near future with DVD quality video images and shared video whiteboards. A byproduct of this, already starting to appear, is video instant messaging, the new videophone.

Distance Learning

Viewing lectures, conducting remote lab projects, going on 3D telepresence field trips, all from the comfort of your home and according to your own schedule are just some of the educational changes coming with Internet2. Learning will become much more individualized and objective-based with self pacing, flexible scheduling, and teleconferenced study groups, small group discussions, and meetings with professors from all over the world. We may see the rise and expansion of virtual high schools and colleges that are not regionally-oriented, but rather are subject or specialty-oriented. Companies will be able to provide more effective online training to staff and customers at a substantial savings over traditional methods.

Wireless Networking

Connecting to the internet or other computers wirelessly is becoming more common. The wireless trend will be toward greater speeds, range, security, and reliability. Currently, wireless internet connections can be obtained at airports, coffee houses, and even convenience stores. This trend will continue as will the trend toward smaller, lighter, yet more powerful laptops, Tablet PCs, and PDAs.

Internet-Enabled Home of the Future

Appliances, home entertainment systems, communications devices, security systems all will be internet aware and accessible to you from anywhere at any time viaa wireless or fiber optic connections. The convergence of TV, PCs, VCR, DVD, and internet music and video downloads into a single home entertainment systems with huge thin wall display panels, digital 3d sound, streaming audio and video on demand to multiple outlets throughout the home. Security cameras and sensors directly connected to the internet will allow you, and the police, to watch over your home when you’re away. We just need to make sure this surveillance is at your request, not the government’s.

Future PCs and Web Access Devices

Future PCs will be smaller, more powerful, constantly connected to the internet, able to wirelessly integrate with any device or appliance nearby. They will be able to wirelessly display high definition images on nearby monitors or huge plasma or LCD wall panels. They finally will be able to respond to voice requests. With advances in artificial intelligence, your PC will learn how to respond to gestures or even eye movements.You may even wear your PC unobtrusively. It may even be able to diagnose and repair itself after crashes without the need to wait for several hours one the phone, although this may be the most far-off prediction on this page.