In case you missed the first part of Brad’s conference recap from the NexGen Cloud Conference he attended, you can read it here. As promised, here is the rest of the recap. (And yes, it is just as geeky as the first installment.)
What if, as humans, we could process information as IBM’s Watson does? It was proposed that within 15 years we’ll be able to link the human neocortex to the cloud to access thousands of documents and pages of data within seconds.
Google engineers have been busy; Rather than just a key word search, they are working towards understanding the meaning of documents and not just the words. Google will remember that you searched on a specific topic a week ago and will notify you that new information on that same topic was just released three seconds ago and provide you with the link.
It has been suggested that Google glasses will be able to link to facial recognition technology: it will scan someone’s face as they are waking towards you and within seconds ping their Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, etc., profiles and provide you with everything about them ─ including what they had for lunch, what they did over the weekend and the funny (?) video of their kid trying to sing Christmas carols ─ before they’re even close enough to say hello.
Google’s purchase of Nest was not because they want to be in the air conditioning business, but rather to track utilization and tendencies of heating or cooling your home, then sell it back to the utility companies. It was suggested GE would like to put microchips in washing machines to report how much laundry you do, how much soap you use, and if you fill the machine too full. What is you smart refrigerator reporting back to Samsung? Disney is redefining their process through the wristbands used to track purchases and movement throughout their theme parks. Phillips redesigned and digitalized the light bulb and are creating new revenue streams. Every company is becoming an IT company.
By 2020, more than 50 percent of domestic smart objects will be able to communicate directly or indirectly with a smartphone. For instance, I can open my garage door with my smartphone. In a Japanese train station, there is a mural with images of food and grocery items. With a smart phone, people can scan the items they want, and the items will be waiting for them when they arrive at the grocery store at the next train stop. Sure it’s convenient and easy for the shoppers, but the store can now track what you purchase, how often, what day of the week, seasonal purchases, and ultimately, advertise to you accordingly. Some department stores in the U.S. have transmitters to alert shoppers of discounts as they approach that specific section of the store. Could the day come when the department store reminds me of my wife’s birthday (not like I need that…), the styles she is most interested in based upon past purchases, and of course, the right size. (Am I right, fellas?)
It appears Locutus of Borg was right. (Well, ok, so maybe my inner geek is showing.)
What do you think about the direction technology is headed? Cool or scary? Share your thoughts below!