Overview

An examination of the profound developments in information technology, predicting the seamless merging of communication, computing and consumer electronics in coming years. The authors are futurologists who explore the significance of these developments and their radical impact not only on business and economic systems but also on the very structure of society. Computers will talk to one another; new textiles will control the body's temperature; and smart buildings will monitor and alter heat, light, music, decoration and mood. People will work in local technology centres, while retail outlets will give way to personal agents who choose goods from the Internet. As networks link individuals far and wide, governments will find it harder to control what happens within their boundaries; sophisticated new surveillance techniques could threaten individual freedoms and cyberwars could wreak terrible technological destruction. Will we accept that our species could make a great evolutionary leap forward by becoming part human, part machine?

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While you are using your home computer, have you ever stopped to wonder what Information Technology will be like in ten, 20 or 50 years time? It may be more exciting than you think! Written by two futurologists employed by a major telecommunications company, this book argues that if you think the past few years have been innovative, then you'd better hold on to your hat. The Holodeck may only be a decade away, while computer chips will find the most bizarre uses. Imagine a chip in the packaging of your microwavable meal that tells you when it is cooked, or one in your fruit bowl that tells you when the fruit is starting to go off. The nightmare scenario is when the chip in a chocolate wrapper communicates with a chip in your trainers to see if you've done enough running to deserve the sweet! Covering the advances in technology and then the effects it will have on our livers, this is a fascinating book for anyone with an eye on tomorrow. (Kirkus UK)

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