Last Tuesday, I gave a lecture about social media. One of the participants asked me about what I believe will happen in the future. I hesitated to answer, because really, it’s impossible to answer!
But then I thought about it a little bit more. Maybe there are a few tracks to follow?
- Apple rules. Their usual competitors are running wild to copy tablets, iOS, and macOS. I don’t worry a bit about that. To have them running around like whimsical chickens, blowing their money on imitating, is just embarrassing. But if someone comes up with an idea that’s not created to copy Apple’s solutions, an idea that is original, visionary, and makes life better for a lot of people – THEN I will raise my eyebrow. I would really like to see an idea like that, because even though I love Apple, I also love true creativity and ideas that emerge from the heart. (Right, and that’s why I love Apple…)
- Cloud-solutions. Apple’s iCloud, along with other cloud solutions, will reduce the need for storage space on individual computers. Assuming that we will have access to fast internet. This is exciting. How will it affect our in-house design? Will we surround ourselves with a lot of screens in different sizes and with different functions linked to that cloud?
- Smart energy solutions and recycling systems. I understand that Apple gets criticised for not making a bigger effort to recycle computers or donate them to developing countries so schools can use them. I believe that all producers of electronic devices need to improve at developing smart energy solutions and incorporating recyclability (is that a word?).
- E-books in Swedish, well, in other languages than English, that is. For some reason, it’s still difficult to find e-books in Swedish. I usually buy English e-books on Amazon and read them in the Kindle app.
- Pay with your iPhone. We already use an app invented by PayEx on Gotland. With the app, it’s easy to pay in shops or cafés with your iPhone. I think it would be cool if their app got a big market share, but I guess there are a lot of competitors. Anyway, I’m sure that the iPhone will play an important role in future payments.
- Facebook and Google+, hm, tricky! The first question is whether Google+ will reach as many users as Facebook. The second question is whether Facebook can handle all its 750 million users (more to come…!) – because, already today, Facebook can give quite a shaky impression, and with each update, users get a bit confused. I think Google+’s biggest potential is if Facebook messes up its UI, and I’m sorry to say they seem to be on a rather slippery road… But it will take some time for Google+ to reach 750 million users. Facebook’s biggest strength is its user base. “Everyone” has joined Facebook – except the stubborn survivors…
