Information Superhighway
Defined, the online version of Merriam-Webster’s dictionary states:
Information superhighway: a telecommunications infrastructure or system (as of television, telephony, or computer networks) used for widespread and usually rapid access to information ; especially : internet – called also infobahn, information highway
function: noun
date: 1983
Twenty-six years later, I have come to the realization that the information superhighway is now embedded in every facet of our lives. Access to the information superhighway is not a luxury anymore – it exists as a framework to which we share and receive information with each other.
Here are my personal milestones from this year:
- my mom and I had our first Facebook twitter exchange today
- at my wedding this year, a photo during the wedding was published a few seconds later
- updating my status from single to married involved a few keystrokes on the mobile phone
- checking the balance on checking account can be done on the go: I can either call my bank and use their automated menu, or log in to their web site on my phone
- I can play Street Fighter with other people online, and also talk to them in real time
- I can drive around and receive audio notifications from my phone when there is a speed trap or camera-enforced stop light on an upcoming street intersection
- I can apply for a credit card online, print out a confirmation e-mail that has my account number, and use it the same day at a retail store
- I can create a calendar event, then share details of the event globally, including last-minute change notifications
Over the span of my lifetime, I should be able talk to my TV and say the word “buy”, then a product materializes inside my nano box, and thus completing a retail transaction from home. No transportation fees. No carbon emissions.
When I walk into my garage space, my vehicle will already have the motor running, seat and fasten a seatbelt over me automatically, and will ask me where I want to go.
When I have a cat, the pet door of our home will automatically let her in, even when I am not around. The pet door can also sense if my cat wants to go out of the house, and will let her out whenever she wants.
June 14th, 2009 at 12:36 AM
darling, its fantastic! I’m so dependent on the Maps and Safari, I feel quite naked without my iPhone. There truly is an app for everything!
i was just thinking how sad that iphone utilities are so limited… but you can download whetaver they dont provide… like a voice recorder! (for musical doodles),
a notepad, a whiteboard (quick sketches etc), games, …and (LOL) my current favorite discovery, the LightSaber app, which has sounds when you swing your iphone.
ive yet to :
1. download an app for screenshots
2. wait for a video-recording app for the iPhone.
the latter might be farfetched. okay, ill wait for the cut and paste feature, hopefully they allow a software update for old 3G models.
June 14th, 2009 at 5:08 PM
I think there is already functionality on the iPhone. Aul knows, doesn’t he? I recall him posting this on Twitter about a month ago. As far as video-recording, I’m sure there will be a free app by the end of the year.