Future Technologies January - Overview of the year and Google Chrome OS

For January I wanted to do a sort of round up of the year / predictions for the next year type article for my 'Future Technologies' post, but it's just so difficult!

I've been including posts on Future Technologies since April of last year and so far have covered:

Printed Electronics

Business Models

Interfaces

Software Tools

Augmented Reality

3D Technology

Web caching, electronic packaging and acoustic-based inputs

So these are the main areas i've been interested in during 2009. I guess also of note is what I didn't cover.

I didn't cover Cloud Computing, am I the only one who's a little bored of it?! Also most techies I talk to see it as virtualisation and have been doing it for years. I probably should have covered Software as a Service but I think that would have been relevant as being 'new' in 2008 rather than 2009.

I didn't cover Mobile Apps - mainly because i'm not entirely sure where to even start, but also because I still haven't seen anything that's really made me think Wow! I'm sure there are apps that would make me go Wow, I just haven't seen them.

I didn't cover Social Networking, again partly because it's being talked to death and also because social networking sites, although generally fab, are not technologies that excite me. They're usually impressive in their simplicity and it's not the technology thats amazing but the

commitment of its users.

So as a kind of prediction for 2010, during the next 12 months i'd like to learn more about:

Geolocation, I still think there are many interesting and as yet unused ideas around geolocation technologies.

HTML5, i'm hoping this will bring about a new change for websites, sites are getting pretty predictable these days so it would be good to see something new and exciting.

Healthcare technologies, this is such a huge area and I have colleagues who specialize in just these industries so its a bit offputting because there is so much to look at, but there are some really exciting and amazing technologies around healt

hcare.

Finally, I wanted to end with something new-ish: Google's Chrome OS. It's a really new and fresh way of looking at the desktop and there are many features worth pointing out:

Every application is accessed through the Chrome browser. This means that you won't need to have Microsoft Office on your machine in order to use Excel, instead you just use the Windows Live Web-based version of Excel. A lot of software companies are going to need to adapt to that!

Due to the above users will never have to install software or deal with annoying updates. Due to this it's going to mean starting up is very fast and as the Chrome browser has already shown to be extremely fast (i'm a total convert, the speed is everything with this browser, its perfect for the impatient generations :-)) opening files will be really quick.

The majority of user settings are stored in the cloud. This means that you can go to any machine (as long as it's a Google Chrome machine) and it will be exactly the same as using your own.

To pick up on the above, although hardly anything is stored on the hard drive the OS will only work on specific machines. You can't just install it onto the laptop / desktop you have now. Potentially a major disadvantage, but I am interested to see what machines will come out using the OS and i'm hopeful there will be some new innovations there.

So hopefully this is also something that will be interesting to watch develop through 2010.

Report from the Future Broadband Services Forum held in Sheffield on 1st December

The Digital Communications KTN, in cooperation with Digital 20/20, have produced a report following an event held in Sheffield at Electric Works on 1st December 2009.

Two keynote presentations were delivered, one around new developments in telecommunications and online technologies and one describing the Digital Region (South Yorkshire’s new state-of-the-art fibre-optic network).

These presentations were then followed by workshops to allow attendees to discuss particular themes, generate new ideas and identify how the capacity of Digital Region and other superfast broadband networks might be used. The attendees could choose from four workshops on the topics 'IT & Network Services'; 'Digital Content'; 'Learning & Education'; and 'Healthcare & the Smart Home'.

I've uploaded the full report as a PDF for you to view. Over 60 people attended the event on the day and I think the report makes an interesting read.

Events: BBC commissions for CBBC and CBeebies, Crossover Labs and Creative Networks

A few more events coming up this month.

Firstly, The BBC is seeking new relationships with companies to fulfill at least 4 commissions for CBBC and CBeebies in 2010/2011. @North is a pilot programme for TV independents or digital creatives and companies interested in working with children's commissioners and the Future Media department, to develop new interactive content. There will be two events held in the region, where you'll have the opportunity to meet the BBC and ask questions about the project.

8th January, 10.00 am - 12.00pm: Leeds, Round Foundry Media Centre
11th January, 10.00 am - 12.00pm: Sheffield, Electric Works

Register to attend

Find out more about @North

=================

Secondly, Crossover Business Labs - Introduction Seminars: 11th - 14th January

Crossover Labs has been designed to assist companies position themselves for creative and commercial growth in the converging digital economy. The objectives of the programme are:

- to work with business leaders to share an understanding of the characteristics of the market and the opportunities available;
- to help companies develop the skills, capabilities and assets required to do business effectively in the converging digital marketplace;
- to foster collaboration between companies within and across the regions.

Each workshop will take place at 6:00pm in two venues simultaneously, connected using NorthernNet's video conferencing infrastructure. The seminar programme will be on the following dates, each one linking two venues.

Event details and registration

Find out more about Crossover

The Crossover Business Labs programme is supported by the Channel 4, BBC, North West Vision and Media, Screen North East, Screen Yorkshire, Skillset and NorthernNet.

=================

Finally, Creative Networks is on 28th January this month.

Creative Networks is proud to announce that its first speaker for 2010 is the internationally acclaimed, Martin Parr.

Martin Parr is probably one of the most influential living British Photographers still working today. With over fifty books and countless exhibitions, Parr is known for his lurid and sometimes shocking use of colour in photography and his satirical witty approach to documentary photography leaves the viewer not sure whether to laugh or cry.

His three recurrent themes are leisure activities, consumption and communication, which he uses to denounce consumer society, wastefulness, vulgarity, mass tourism, fashion and the often worrying narrowness of everyday life. He captures the laughable, the grotesque, and the unacceptable. We laugh, we giggle, we howl with laughter - the image of society that the artist holds up to us puts our moral failings and the absurdity of our everyday lives into sharp relief.

In true Parr humour, the audience will be invited on the evening to vote on which presentation they would most like to hear; 'Parrworld', or 'Martin Parr - the story so far'.

---------------------------------------------
Leeds College of Art
Blenheim Walk, Leeds, LS2 9AQ
----------------------------------------------
18.00 - 19.00 Hot Food and Registration
19.00 - 19.30 Welcome and opening pitches
19.30 - 20.30 Martin Parr
20.30 till late Networking in the Mosaic Bar

This event is free to creative, digital and cultural industry professionals.
If you would like to join us, please contact Creative Networks on 01422 399444 or email Bridget March at bridgetm@leeds-art.ac.uk.

IT Business Network - techmesh: Launch Event 27th January, Leeds

techmesh is a brand new business network for IT and Telecoms organisations and professionals in the Yorkshire and Humberside region.

They are holding a launch event where you can find out more about the network and how they can help you.

Who should attend: IT & Telecoms organisations, professionals and partners.

Date: Wednesday 27th January 2010
Time: 18.00-21.00hrs
Venue: The Loft, Cross York Street, Leeds. LS2 7EE

Guest Speakers:
Lee Strafford, former CEO of PlusNet
Conrad Poulson, Head of Startup Business Development of Orange

Includes:
Live music, Fizz Reception and Nibbles

More Info: To book your place, register online or call Dawn on 0113 384 5641.

It's free to attend and will be the first of many events that should be of interest to the IT industry, the sooner you get involved the sooner you can shape the networks future!