One thing ST looks to have actually got right about the future...

[Deimos Anomaly]

And it's surprised me, because not so many years ago it's one that people derided ST for as being unrealistic.

But here it is: Video/computer screens on EVERYTHING.

Also: Touch screens becoming used as an interface for many devices.

To a large extent it's driven by the sudden proliferation, in recent years, of compact, bright, high resolution LCD's which can be used in so many applications where old bulky heavy tubes just wouldn't work. You can stick em anywhere, and people, realising this, have started doing just that.

Every walk of life, all sorts of gadgets and machines that people never would have thought needed a screen on them are sprouting screens. I see it in entertainment, I see it in everyday business and commerce, I see it in the workplace in both office and industrial environments, and I see it in the home.

Not only are screens appearing everywhere, but touch screens are catching on as an interface, particularly for industrial equipment. I remember thinking touch screens were cool looking in Sci-fi but a poor second cousin to a keyboard IRL, but I wasn't really considering the uses they might be put to in situations where a keyboard would be impractical or get in the way, and they have taken off too.

So there it is.

 

[John Picard]

I told my son that I wouldn't be surprised if, within the next 10 years, poster advertising on truck trailers (I'm talking semi trucks) is replaced with flat panel LCDs or the like. Advertisers pay big money for that space since it's a rolling billboard, and with a LCD style there can be more players.

 

[Rarewolf]

Also: Touch screens becoming used as an interface for many devices..

The funny thing is the 80s/90s Tricorders now look incredibly dated since they never were touchscreen!

 

[QCzar]

Eventually we'll get to "Minority Report" type interfaces; holographic displays where you don't even have to touch anything. After that (perhaps far sooner than we know) we'll have it where you'll be able to control these things with your thoughts.

And then our minds will become one and we'll be closer to Perfection.

 

[Robert Maxwell]

I told my son that I wouldn't be surprised if, within the next 10 years, poster advertising on truck trailers (I'm talking semi trucks) is replaced with flat panel LCDs or the like. Advertisers pay big money for that space since it's a rolling billboard, and with a LCD style there can be more players.

Well, we already have TV-like billboards on some roads. I suspect there might be legal hurdles to actual moving images on the sides of vehicles, though. Too distracting, and could possibly cause accidents. Static, changing images like we have on some billboards would seem to be okay.

 

[John Picard]

I told my son that I wouldn't be surprised if, within the next 10 years, poster advertising on truck trailers (I'm talking semi trucks) is replaced with flat panel LCDs or the like. Advertisers pay big money for that space since it's a rolling billboard, and with a LCD style there can be more players.

Well, we already have TV-like billboards on some roads. I suspect there might be legal hurdles to actual moving images on the sides of vehicles, though. Too distracting, and could possibly cause accidents. Static, changing images like we have on some billboards would seem to be okay.

Right. Even around Oklahoma City we have LCD style billboards that have some animation and change products. I suspect the "rolling" billboards would do the same but would just cycle ads rather than have animation.

 

[trekkiedane]

A panel so flat and flexible you could have an animation of flames on the side of your car

 

[Spot's Meow]

I told my son that I wouldn't be surprised if, within the next 10 years, poster advertising on truck trailers (I'm talking semi trucks) is replaced with flat panel LCDs or the like. Advertisers pay big money for that space since it's a rolling billboard, and with a LCD style there can be more players.

Well, we already have TV-like billboards on some roads. I suspect there might be legal hurdles to actual moving images on the sides of vehicles, though. Too distracting, and could possibly cause accidents. Static, changing images like we have on some billboards would seem to be okay.

Right. Even around Oklahoma City we have LCD style billboards that have some animation and change products. I suspect the "rolling" billboards would do the same but would just cycle ads rather than have animation.

I've actually seen moving ads on the sides of trucks in my area already.

 

[Awesome Possum]

Eventually we'll get to "Minority Report" type interfaces; holographic displays where you don't even have to touch anything. After that (perhaps far sooner than we know) we'll have it where you'll be able to control these things with your thoughts.

And then our minds will become one and we'll be closer to Perfection.

I think IBM is already working on an implantable chip, plus there is a rather bulky interface that allows the brain to control a mouse pointer. Make it wireless and sign me up.

 

[The Castellan]

And it's surprised me, because not so many years ago it's one that people derided ST for as being unrealistic.

I just wanna know why does it need be "realistic"?

 

[Geckothan]

The screens aren't that impressive because nothing truly impressive or new is being done with them. The only technological advances are the smaller, less power hungry and increasingly powerful processors, but they're just used for trivial tasks and being combined with old, existing technologies that have only recently become cheap enough for consumers to obtain.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

I think IBM is already working on an implantable chip, plus there is a rather bulky interface that allows the brain to control a mouse pointer. Make it wireless and sign me up.

Sorry, not for me. I wouldn't want to be "marked."

 

[Tom Riley]

A panel so flat and flexible you could have an animation of flames on the side of your car

Organic LED. Doesn't need a backlight, so it can be seen in daylight, and it can be printed onto flexible substances giving it the ability to be thin and flexible.

 

[Squiggy]

I think IBM is already working on an implantable chip, plus there is a rather bulky interface that allows the brain to control a mouse pointer. Make it wireless and sign me up.

Sorry, not for me. I wouldn't want to be "marked."

Might wanna do away with those credit and debit cards then.

 

[O'Dib]

The closest thing we have to a holographic interface is that Israeli laser keyboard. I dunno why more laptops don't use this tech.

 

[iguana_tonante]

A panel so flat and flexible you could have an animation of flames on the side of your car

Yeah, but when your vehicle is actually on fire and people pass away thinking "wow, that's a cool FX", then you see it was not really a good idea.

 

[TheSeeker]

I told my son that I wouldn't be surprised if, within the next 10 years, poster advertising on truck trailers (I'm talking semi trucks) is replaced with flat panel LCDs or the like. Advertisers pay big money for that space since it's a rolling billboard, and with a LCD style there can be more players.

I suspect there might be legal hurdles to actual moving images on the sides of vehicles, though. Too distracting, and could possibly cause accidents.

No kidding. I already get distracted by those minivans with LCD screens playing movies.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Might wanna do away with those credit and debit cards then.

Since those aren't implanted on the body, I think we're safe.

 

[John Picard]

Might wanna do away with those credit and debit cards then.

Since those aren't implanted on the body, I think we're safe.

Oh, you whacky religious types always trying to legitimize your hallowed and sacred texts

 

[Robert Maxwell]

The closest thing we have to a holographic interface is that Israeli laser keyboard. I dunno why more laptops don't use this tech.

No tactile feedback. It's why I'm not so big on "onscreen keyboards," either. I find I have to type more slowly when using a keyboard that has no tactile feedback, just to make sure it successfully detected my input (which it sometimes doesn't.)