Looking ahead twenty-five years to the year 2032, it is important to consider how future advances will affect not only the internet but the internet implemented within cell phones and other similar technology. The above scenario may seem far-fetched; however, think back twenty-five years and consider what you thought would be going on in the future. It’s not as far-fetched as people may think.

Phones have been equipped to handle wireless internet for a few years now, if not longer. The new iPhone, by Apple, contains a phone, camera, music player, video player, picture viewer, and internet access all on one device. Customers can get all the above features, plus 8 GB memory, at a weight of only 4.8 ounces. The days of having large clunky cell phones are over; the current trend is the smaller the better. Companies are constantly improving technology and technology specs, allowing them to make better devices at lower costs and less space. This trend will continue in the future.

Smaller and sleeker devices at a lower cost will definitely raise the popularity of such devices, but the future is wireless and such devices will become a necessity. In an article called “Your Wireless Future” for Business 2.0 Magazine, Carlo Longino states that “places like Philadelphia and San Francisco [are] planning to create citywide Wi-Fi networks”. Longino also believes that the future lies in the ‘office everywhere’, ‘mobilizing the buddy list’, and better wireless devices for the future. With citywide wireless networks planned for the future, connectivity will become necessary.

If people are still skeptical about the future of wireless technology and the use of phones to further connectivity, look no further than Semacode. Semacode is being developed to be used with cell phones with cameras built in. The cell phones can take pictures of objects which have been embedded with tags that will then link the phone to a web site address. For example, people can place Semacode tags on concert posters. If a user takes a picture of that poster, they will be immediately sent to the web site for the concert, or directed to the web site where they can purchase tickets.

In 2032, current teenagers will be adults. This age group will have grown up in the boom of wireless internet and cell phone advances. This group will have grown up with MySpace and Facebook, and all the connectivity that goes along with them. This age group will have grown up not worrying about privacy or their persona on the internet. Of course these are general statements that do not apply to everyone, but I feel that this is the majority case now and will be in 2032 when the technology makes 24/7 connectivity an option (and possibly a requirement).

Future technology, specifically cell phones, will be able to keep track of friends and people. People are going to take advantage of this. With wireless networks potentially coast to coast, connectivity will be almost impossible to avoid. There is going to be immediate, unfettered access to you at any time of the day. We are on the cusp of this becoming the present, and when this technology becomes available, people are going to use it even if they have concerns about privacy or not. It is going to be convenient, easy, available, and mostly like cheap (in the future); because of this, connectivity will be impossible to avoid. Everyone is going to have a cell phone, and in the future they are going to be smaller, able to store more information, and just all-around be more advanced. Privacy will be sacrificed for connectivity.

Continue to IV. Conclusion