Hooch Tan
01-18-2011, 10:30 PM
<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://gizmodo.com/5731594/12-technologies-on-the-verge-of-extinction' target='_blank'>http://gizmodo.com/5731594/12-techn...e-of-extinction</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"And we're not taking the easy route here either. We're not calling for the death of obvious targets such as fax machines. No, we like to think we're dealing with rather more controversial subjects, both on the thumbs-up and on the thumbs-down side of things. And if you opt to disbelieve us by buying into one of our doomed concepts, well, don't say we didn't warn you."</em></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/dht/auto/1295377852.usr20447.jpg" style="border: 0px solid #d2d2bb;" /></p><p>The technology industry loves making predictions. What will be successful? What will be a failure? What will stick around, and of course, what is on the way out? It is an interesting list though it does read like coming from someone who is in the thick of a technologically advanced city. Coming from Canada, I have learned to live with being behind the times. WiFi hotspots used to be few and far between, and still is in some areas. High-speed wireless Internet access has only recently been made a reality, and for much of that time, it was very cost prohibitive. Many sites and services, like Pandora are not available north of the 49th parallel, and some services, like NetFlix and Mint.com have only recently welcomed those that created the phrase "Large, double, double."</p><p>So with that in mind, some of these predictions, like physical media and eBook readers still make sense to me. What is most surprising to me is the mention of keys. I am all for advanced technology, but for critical functions, like getting into my apartment, I would prefer something low tech, or at least having the option to use it alongside advanced stuff like RFID. What do you think? Is their list a hit or miss?</p>