Future Computing

Where will technology take us next?  Every time I ask that question, I am amazed with the answer.  I have had the benefit of witnessing so many of the changes.  My first computer class in high school had an Apple II e; my first printer at home was a dot matrix; I remember the 5 ½ floppy disks.  With each change, it seems there is nowhere else to go.  Then, I read an article about Microsoft Research Asia entitled “Microsoft research Asia Gives Glimpse at Future of Computing.”  Where we are going next is absolutely unbelievable. 

There were three developments unveiled at the event.  First is the Translating Telephone.  This telephone will allow us to converse with those in other countries and to have the conversations immediately translated.  Second is the Aided Eye.  This gadget will use a small eye sensor to recognize the direction of the eye gaze.  The third development, which I found to be the most fascinating, is the Microsoft Research Worldwide Telescope.  This final tool will turn any PC into a virtual telescope. 

As someone who has grown up through many of these changes, I cannot imagine where we can go from  here . . . only time will tell.