2010 UPDATES

2010

• First of all, I think it's safe to say that the hoverboards and flying cars seen in "Back to the future, Part 2" are more than just 5 years away ;-) (Oh yes, that movie takes place in 2015 ;-)
• The movie Avatar will get at least one sequel and it will be spectacular... Again ;-)
• Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo will release new generation of consoles but physical distribution will die out. Content will be distributed primarily as downloads.
• The next generation of consoles just might be the last generation that will use "local computing power". The generation after that might be just a low cost "client" connected to a super cloud. All computations will be made "off-client" (a remote supercomputer/cloud makes all computations then sends them to the client which only receives the output (video, audio, vibrations etc)), all software will be "pay per use".
• Microsoft's "Natal" technology will start a new era of physical interaction gaming. Sony will have a competing technology (Further developments of PS Eye and the new upcoming motion sensor). Nintendo, obviously started some of this with the old Wii.
• Someone figures out that mixing "Natal" technology with augmented reality and a location aware mobile device connected to a powerful Cloud through 4G and virtual display goggles is a very potent combo indeed. Suddenly you'll be walking in a city with your own interactive virtual guide walking right beside you, looking at you and answering your questions about the city. And when you come home, your "Natal" yoga instructor will tell you if your moves are right or not. And while you do this, your "Natal" babysitter will keep your kids busy.
• By 2020, mobile devices will be as powerful as today's most powerful desktop PC's, including graphical capabilities. Displays will to some extent be replaced by "projected display goggles". The goggles will provide super high res video and virtual surround stereo to users. Mobile devices will be a highly capable gaming platform. Once 4G networks are fully built and enhanced, cloud computer gaming will reach mobile devices. Allowing users to play games far more complicated than the mobile device's actual hardware could cope with.
• Storing files "off-client" (on the net or in the cloud) will become the most common way to store files. People will finally realize that they will always suck at making back-ups and the will finally get over the fact that they have no privacy anyway.
• Apple will become a powerful company as a result of the success with everything that shines and has an Apple logo on it but to become the clear king of the hill of next-gen mobile devices will take some effort and competitors will not be caught sleeping this time like when Apple released the first iPhone.
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• The programmable graphics cards war/hysteria will get out of hand and end with a monster creation that will put the Voodoo 6 6000 board to shame ;-) At that point, AMD, nVidia and Intel will all simultaneously realize no one plays games on Windows desktops anymore ;-)
• Facebook will be replaced by a community site that exactly the same minus some annoying facebook-only features ;-)
• Twitter will be replaced by Quitter. It will allow you to post 150 char messages. And if you suddenly get tired of using it and quit. Hey that's fine. It's in the name ;-)
• Duke Nukem Forever will be released exclusively on the Next Gen Amiga. ;-)