In this year's version of its "Next Five in Five" series of predictions, IBM
By then, we're supposed to have 3-D videoconferencing systems, rechargeable batteries on a whole new level, and an end to all traffic jams. All of these advances are, of course, powered by IBM innovations. This future sounds great, and I want to live in it.
But how accurate is Big Blue's crack team of prognosticators? Let's find out: Given that the series audaciously sets a definite five-year timeline for itself and it's been five years since the first installment, we can check out exactly how well the company did. Here we go:
Prognosis 1: FonePal
Reinvent call center navigation by sending visual guides to your instant messenger instead of routing you through a maze of push-button options.
Unfortunately, we're still largely stuck with the frustration of "oprima numero uno" nonsense. In the age of smartphones, you'd think there'd be a way to bypass this inefficient model with some sort of data integration with your call, but no such luck so far. The best you'll see is custom smartphone applications guiding you through help files and maybe even presenting direct contact numbers, but IBM was way off on this guess.
If you've ever encountered IBM's FonePal on your own, you've been around more than I have.
Prognosis 2: TALES
The Translingual Automatic Language Exploitation System (TALES) combines speech-to-text conversion and translation services to display translated captions for video or audio streams, nearly in real time.
This one worked out better: Over the past month, we've marveled over an iPhone application that translates foreign text into English at the push of a button, and YouTube does exactly what IBM proposed these days.
Score one for Big Blue!
Prognosis 3: Remote diagnostics
Here, IBM wanted to see Internet-connected sensors in your home or on your person, ready and able to transmit health data to your doctor or trigger alarms when critical limits had been reached.
This was a home run. IBM's own solutions are pretty popular, but there's plenty of competition. UnitedHealth Group
The future is now.
Prognosis 4: 3-D Internet
Circuit City and Sears Holdings
Well, Sweden did open a virtual embassy in Second Life in 2007 and the buzz around the platform was pretty heavy for a while. But the explosion of interest that IBM envisioned never took place, and I dare you to find a Second Life link in the online stores of any major retailer today.
This one's a bust.
Prognosis 5: Nanotechnology
Microengineering and chemical reactions that would please a real control freak were starting to make a difference in the real world back in 2006. As an example, IBM presented the incredible shrinking mobile phone.
I think it's fair to say that IBM got this one right, as chip designers are starting to push relativistic limits on how small and dense a semiconductor can be while Apple
So this one's a win for IBM, but with a tiny asterisk.
IBM: 3, Luddites: 2
Big Blue got its 2006 predictions right more often than not. That, combined with the fact that the company has persisted with the series, bodes well for this year's bodacious bulletin.
Me, I'm looking forward to better batteries first and smoother traffic second. How about you? Discuss IBM's futuristic visions in the comments below.