What’s Next?

I try to be a pretty “Zen” kinda guy. You know, live in the moment, and all that. But when it comes to technology, my mind tends to wander into the future. After reading this article in Forbes about the inevitable demise of web titans like Google and Facebook, I began to wonder… What’s next?

The Forbes article touches on some key elements including the natural progression of online technology, the exponentially increasing speed of consumer technology adoption, and the evolution of large enterprises as they transition from a start-up mind-set (nimble with an openness to risk & innovation) into a focus on bureaucracy, profitability & stock prices. Ultimately, nothing lasts forever, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see the demise of any of the current web titans within the next decade.

While we currently remain in the Social Era of the web, the proliferation of mobile technology is catapulting all of us into a new way to interact with online technology, and each other. Mobile has enhanced the way that we use social platforms, but it has’t yet pushed everyone into a new mode of interaction (like search, the ability to self-publish content, or connect online socially did previously). I have two ideas about where mobile technology may be pushing us in the not-so-distant future.

Sensory Augmentation

Augmented reality—the act of presenting additional content or information through a lens—is becoming more commonplace. The tech is still a bit clunky, requires external hardware, and focuses solely on enhancing the visual experience. I predict that in the next decade, sensory augmentation will become more common. This will include a number of devices that can enhance human senses as we as expedite the way we retrieve information—even incorporating data and algorithms to help us predict future events.

The devices will start out as rather obtrusive peripherals like glasses, ear-pieces, gloves, etc., but they will quickly evolve into barely visible devices (implants?) that will enhance human capabilities and empower our ability to instantly retrieve information.

Me-Commerce

Online communities like Etsy and eBay coupled with the success of musicians producing & distributing their own albums/mp3s have proven that middlemen are unnecessary. We live in an age where practically anything is available to buy online—even groceries.

The need for stores to aggregate and distribute products (and add a considerable markup to the products for their service) is waning. Yes, there will most likely always be storefronts, but I predict that a mass transition to buying merchandise directly from the producer is underway. Shipping companies will handle the distribution, and a few key players (Amazon, Square, and many newcomers) will help facilitate the person-to-person transactions.

Mass product fabrication will also need to transition to niche markets. Labor will likely be outsourced to nimble factory work-forces (including robotic labor). And advancements in 3D printing will allow for the near instant creation of a variety of products.

Me-commerce will be like the app economy all over again—only with tangible goods.

Your Turn

What do you think? What will be the next sea change in online technology? And who will be poised to become the Googles and Facebooks of the next decade?

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