Our world is in a constant state of technological change and advancement. When some of the first mobile phones came out in the 80's they were big and bulky, weighing as much as 2 lbs. Over the years, the bulk has lessened significantly while capability and functionality have increased. Mere years ago, the average person wasn't thinking about how their phone could be used to surf the internet. Now, everywhere you go, there’s at least one person using their mobile device to access the internet. Businesses have picked up on this trend and have thus, started to develop their websites around making them as mobile friendly as possible.
Star Trek fans remember how the Enterprise was controlled by voice. Created in 1960, the voice of the “computer” was that of a an actress recorded later on, but it's still interesting to think about all the ideas people have had about the future. Star Trek may have been set in 2260, but the futuristic technology of voice control appears to be coming about much sooner than that.
It's easy to forget about the process that occurs in the human body when sugar is digested. You eat something when you're hungry and then you feel more energized and alert unless, of course, it's Thanksgiving. Sugar provides energy for all living things, so is it a stretch to think it could also be used to power electronics as well? Scientists and chemists don't think it is.
When CDs and DVDs were introduced they were the most advanced forms of data storage, yet even they only last for so long. In response, researchers have begun testing other options, most notably glass. When thinking about data storage, glass doesn't usually come to mind, nor any possible connections between them. So, how can glass be used as storage for data? Glass has a reputation for shattering, but it is actually one of the strongest materials on Earth. This characteristic is the target of the research.
Imagine a world where your stereo, TV and other devices will turn on with a simple swipe of your hand. At one point in time, this seemed like a futuristic idea. The concept was simply too complex. Not so anymore. The technology to make these kinds of things possible is here. What was Science Fiction is now available to consumers. There's stil a lot of development on the horizon, but the potential is there.