May 21

Class 7: The Internet & Social Media

Class 7: The Internet and Social Media

Personally, I don’t think everyone online is social. Some people use their Instagram or Facebook pages just to lurk and be creeps. I don’t even really use mine to be “social”. My page is more for showing events or outings that I plan. Other than posting pics of those things, you might not get a sense of who I am. To “be” online in 2016 means to be on social media, apps, or on the web continuously. People are online for most of the day. We spend up 12 hours or more on our phones daily so in some way we are always online.

The article “The Great Wall of Facebook,” talks about how Facebook uses your personal information to give to advertising, so that in turn more advertisers would buy into Facebook. People want Facebook to stay personal. Facebook is used more as a way to keep personal relationships from all over the world. Nobody wants it to turn into a television with thousands of commercials each minute.

In the article “The Web Means the End of Forgetting,” started off with a GREAT example of what some people are going through right now. A person shouldn’t be judged on something they did in their private life from years ago, as long as it didn’t harm anyone. Employers are denying a lot of applicants with this new mandatory background checking of your social media pages. Searching of the web will mean the end of forgetting!! Nothing you do online goes away. Yes it will make people more aware of their personal actions, but it will also take the fun out of having fun. Imagine having to make sure every picture you take is perfect or doesn’t offend a potential job you haven’t even tried to apply to. Who wants to live life like that?

 

May 21

Holograms

Richard Acevedo

Professor Jonah Brucker Cohen

MCS 214 Final Paper

Transcending past 2-dimensions is where the future is heading. A hologram is a three-dimensional image created from a photographic technique that records the light scattered from an object. Holograms have presented themselves through out countless sci-fi films, shows, and books such as Star Wars or Iron Man. Our actual holographic technology hasn’t quite caught up exactly to the movie magic shown in those films but we are not far. Holograms are the next level for us in digital media. We are already fascinated by them as it is.

Holograms have numerous advantages to help change the way our society runs. It will change our society from 2D to 3D. FaceTime and Skype are already very popular because they allow us to see each other and not only hear ourselves. Holograms are just going to be the next step in communication with each other. They will give the impression of seeming more interactive or alive than current displays and imagery. “New technology that allows visually stunning projection of holograms will begin to find application in the meetings arena.” (Jeff Cavins) This will hit the corporate world and change the way he hold meetings in every field. The United Nations meetings will no longer require all of our worlds leaders to meet at one place to communicate or handle big world issues. Having all of our world leaders meet up in one place is a big national and global security issue because that then becomes a big red target for possible terrorist attacks. In the business side it will allow business deals to be held not only in person but also through holograms and have the same power that an in person meeting could have. The projection of the person your talking create this sense of safety that isn’t there when communicating through telephone or messaging systems. Have the ability to see small details in someones body language is a big deal in deciding whether you trust someone or not, especially when it comes down to business meetings. This hologram technology has the ability to save time when it comes to making deals with people regarding business and other fields.

In terms of the entertainment industry holograms can have huge benefits. There has already been examples of holographic performances or concerts such as hologram Tupac and Michael Jackson. This is a great opportunity to allow holographic performances for musicians and artists that have past away to bring some nostalgia back to their fans and even appeal to a new audience. Pulse Evolution own the rights to the Micael Jackson hologram and several others. They were responsible for the hologram performance of Michael at the Billboard Music Awards. The performance took people by surprise when Michael Jackson or rather a hologram of him appeared and performed “Slave To The Rhythm”.  On the touchy topic of deceased people holograms can also apply to the funeral industry. This could allow the possibility of having a hologram instead of traditionally a tomb stone. Allowing people to remember their relatives or people close to them, how they would like.

Moving from the topic of death another industry that will be affected by the emergence of holograms is the medical field and education in it. “‘A surgeon that’s going to plan to remove fragments and fix that kind of injury might benefit by viewing a true 3D representation of what they will actually see when they have the patient in the operating room” Napel says from Smithsonian Magazine. Practice makes perfect and with holograms it allows surgeons and doctors to have as much safe practice as they want. This holds the possibility to produce even more skilled surgeons and doctors for the next generation. Medical school will become far more convenient than having to start with real people.

Not only can holograms upgrade our forms of communication they can also be great assets you our military. Imagine being able to have an entire battlefield showing all of your allies and all of your enemies that have been spotted. The amount tactical capabilities this could create would revolutionize warfare. In a perfect world we won’t have any more wars or battles, but the way it looks currently violence won’t be disappearing soon. There is already a big market that makes a lot of money of off wars. This is just another piece of technology that would change the way wars are fought and won. This can hopefully even prevent some deaths from battles which are already a sad situation.

Now change is always a scary thing. Human beings have this innate fear of the unexpected and change. Virtual Reality is another piece of technology that is on the rise. VR though is a bigger than step than holograms and thats one big reason I see it being more appealing to the majority of people. It not a form of escapism from reality as Virtual Reality is. Instead it’s more of just an upgrade that can make reality more entertaining and visually stimulating without having to plug yourself into something. That is the big unappealing part of VR. Although there will always be people who complain about new technology and surely will argue against the idea of holograms, it is much easier to feel secure with this coming change compared to holograms other competitors in the wave of new digital media. This has happened countless times with new technology. Socrates even told a story bout a king who was skeptical about the idea of written word because he believed that it would cause human to lose their strong sense of memory. Television, the internet, and definitely social media have all been at the beginning looked at with skeptical eyes as well as with hopeful ones. Parents were afraid of allowing their kids to use the internet because they weren’t able to know who their kids were communicating with all the time or what they were looking at. There is always skeptics but eventually we move on with the times and have accepted our new technology.

Holograms are going to be the next big thing in digital media. They hold many numerous applications to different fields. It will be a big step in altering how our society communicates, educates, entertains, and even sell products with each other. The future looks very bright in terms of technological advances. Holograms just look to be the most plausible first step into making our old Star Wars and other sci-fi fantasies into our current reality. Sci-fi movies and novels have always predicted these far out ideas of how the future will turn out and if you pay attention they usually predict things we have invented or will invent. At some point we will invent teleportation, space travel, and all these other far out ideas, but the very near future is already creating virtual reality, holograms, bio-technology, eco-friendly vehicles, and even robots. The future is looking very bright, holograms just happen to be in my opinion at the forefront.

 

https://youtu.be/Um-jOMvL-og

 

Work Cited

Workman, Robert. “What Is a Hologram?” LiveScience. TechMedia Network, 23 May 2013. Web. 20 May 2016.

Smith, John. “3D Hologram and the Future of Technology and Entertainment.” Business 2 Community. N.p., 29 Apr. 2015. Web. 20 May 2016

Handwerk, Brian. “Medical Holograms Are Now Part of the Surgeon’s Toolkit.” Smithsonian. N.p., 27 Mar. 2015. Web. 20 May 2016.

Droste, Ryan. “An Elvis Presley Hologram Will Perform 15 Shows Next Year In Las Vegas.” The Inquisitr News. N.p., 12 July 2015. Web. 20 May 2016.

Cavins, Jeff. “Holograms, ‘Minority Report’ Gestures And Other Ways Your Meetings Will Change By 2018.”TechCrunch. AOL Inc., 02 Mar. 2013. Web. 20 May 2016.

May 21

Class 3: Paper or Metal?

Class 3: Paper or Metal?

I think print media is losing ground to electronic media in both content and delivery systems because actual books are now outdated. I agree with author Terry Deary in the article “Libraries Have had their day,” when he stated “I’m not attacking libraries, I’m attacking the concept behind libraries, which is no longer relevant.” He is right. People no longer have a use for libraries. The tablets, smartphones and other electronic devices have taken over the old way of walking into a library to check out a book. Now you can download or rent books with a motion as quick as a click. Reading and research is still getting done, but it’s no longer being done in a library. It’s sad because this generation and the ones to follow will never know the feeling of what is was like to check a book out or know what a librarian is. They will never know what it is to meet your friends in the library to wirk on a project or assignment and really all we used to do was gossip and socialize. Libraries brought about camaraderie. Libraries were used as excuses to not have to go straight home from school. I don’t envy this new technology age of youngsters who will never know what it feels like to walk up and down aisles of paperbacks and hardcovers of people who thousands of years ago gave everything just to write. It’s so sad to me that libraries will be extinct within the next 10 years. Only college libraries will probably still exist.

In the article “The End of Books,” it gives us a deeper look into how different it is to now begin the process of writing novels. They talk about taking away the pen and paper aspect of writing and focus more on “hypertext writing.” Even though hypertext is only a term used, it’s actual description is what is assisting with taking out the authoring of books. Hypertext gives writers new options, new directions, and new styles in which to make new “books.” It’s still all done on computers, so again it’s another way of taking out print media. I still appreciate the art of writing through pen and paper. I think all the fun is in the creativity of imagining things and then writing about them to make a what was at first a small thought into something for everyone to read.

May 21

Class 10- Apps & Digital Currency

CLASS 10: Apps & Digital Currency

Apps are changing the way we experience media by making it easier and more efficient to use your phone. In the article “The Mobile Browser is Dead, Long Live the App,” I would have to agree with the author when he states “Users are turning away from the browser and relying on applications.” I for one love applications. It’s ease of use is what gives it the most thumbs up for me. It does make it harder for competitors that are still trying to make web based designs or products for the mobile web. To me the mobile web just gets in our way. Yes you do still need your browser to google some things, but in the future this option will definitely be obsolete.

After reading “The Fierce Battle for the Soul Of Bitcoin,” I was excited. I know we are not supposed to want underworld, shady people to win, but when you see what channels these people use to get around the system you can’t help but be intrigued. Using the Bitcoin system is like being in a game or novel. It’s real, but it seems like when you use it your in a different world or like your keeping a secret. Especially when it’s only used by a certain type of business or person. The most astonishing thing about the Bitcoin is it is regulated by computers and mathematics. I like how they can envision to make Bitcoin more practical, “a cheaper, faster, and more flexible system than Visa. I don’t know how it can dictate that “no more than 21 million bitcoins will ever be created.” There are people in this world who have way more money than that amount. If billionaires are only using it for one purpose that might can work but if they are trying to integrate it into mainstream America, they will have to adjust the system. Bitcoin puts the person with the currency in total control.

May 20

Final Paper

Randy Salce Jr

MCS214 Final Paper

The Future of Books: The Literix Library

The future of books is a buzzing topic that many book lovers have been debating for some time now. The shift from paper books to ebooks has been the recent change in the trends of the world of books. The question that lingers in most individuals’ heads now is what is the next phase in the culture of reading. In a society where digital media seems to be inevitably taking over, in order to preserve the substance of books the next big thing must incorporate some sort of future digital technology alongside of it. The results of such demands deemed by society has lead to the development of the The Literix Library (The Literature-Matrix Library).

The Literix Library is the future of the current public libraries across the nation. The public library is known as a space dedicated to research and reading for the needs of those individuals who make up our society. Following that similar theme, the Literix Library will be a dedicated space for digital interaction along with virtual reality services in terms of reading. In this space, people who want to read their desired literature will “plug”  their mind/subconscious into the very novel they are reading and live out the storyline of the book. The library will be providing the full service of plugging minds into the novels, in addition to monitoring the operation systems,  and aiding those physically/emotionally distraught.

Location for the Literix Library is simple, the plan is to dissolve most current public library locations into spaces that accommodate the necessary needs of such an operation. The targeted primary location in focus are public libraries but there is interest in operating in secondary locations. Ideas brainstormed for potential secondary locations include book stores, hospitals, and educational institutions, universities in specific. The project will begin to operate as a pilot program, starting in three to five primary locations and running for 24 months. The test run serves to pinpoint any malfunctions or defects that originate with the production of the operation system. It also allows development teams to make any necessary changes to the service to fully satisfy the reader. The formation of the  L.L. is a complex process which is why a projected timeframe was established in order to regulate production and serve as a guide. Research along with development of the L.L. began in 2016 and according the the timeline the hope is to have finished and opened the very first Literix Library in it’s primary location by 2022. By the year 2027 the goal is that the Literix Library is functioning in its presumed secondary locations, opening the services to those in hospitals, universities, and possible bookstores. The major goal, and arguably the mission of the L.L. is to be operating fully in about 80% of original public library locations, phasing out the use of print books but not completely eliminating them.

The project’s potential audience is a vast group of individuals. The reason for it attracting such a big number of individuals is because of the concept of the service and how many would easily be drawn to such a project. Right off the bat, most people would opt in to be able to experience their favorite stories first hand. The psychographics that book lovers entitle also help the project gain more of a following because it appeals to avid readers, novel enthusiasts, and individuals with a creative or imaginative background. As far as demographics go for the potential audience it is pretty simple, it is open to people of all demographics. One of the main ideas behind the Literix Library is to have it be affordable to everyone it could possibly appeal to, which is why there is no maximum or minimum on levels of income of individuals who can use the services. It is an experience that should be equally accessible to those interested, regardless of how much money they have to their name. The only restriction that the L.L. will enforce is age restrictions, which will be put in place for health and hazard concerns. In order to indulge in the fruits of the service, participants must be of 18 years of age. Children from 10 to 17 years of age can participate but need parental consent from a guardian, but those younger than 10 unfortunately can not use the services offered by the Literix Library.

Exactly how the L.L. will function follows the procedures similar to those seen in the famous movie The Matrix by The Wachowskis. With the use of a number of trackers, sensors, and monitors it will give employees a real time display of the action taking place in the story as well as the participants’ vital signs, including heart rate and oxygen levels. This is the reason why employees with have to undergo specific training in order to receive certification that would allow them to be responsible for participants’ plugged in experience in the case that something goes wrong. It will ensure the safety of those involved along with virtually eliminating any potential harm participants could be faced with when plugging in. For the actual virtual/digital world in which users will be placed in, developers will encode the language of each book in order for the system to recognize different dialogue, settings, and details. These encodings will allow the system in partnership with the user’s subconscious to create the settings of the story, recognize different characters’ dialogue, scenery, actions, the narrator’s voice, etc. The only restriction set in place is that users must follow the respective storyline strictly, which is in part of respect towards the author and not editing their published craft. These operations is open to and will funded by a number of financial sources including debt financing, equity financing, donations, and profits received from service fees charged to users. Lastly, one of the major potential sources of financing will come from the money received from authors chosen to collaborate with the Literix Library. Authors will pay a one time contract fee to let the L.L. use their books, in which they will be receiving a percentage of profits depending on their success through the services.

The reasons to create such a pioneering service are endless but there are number worth highlighting. Most importantly, the Literix Library is an adaptive change made to the library systems in accommodation to the evolving trends in digital media. It is safe to say that sooner rather than later print books will be something of the past which is why the services of the L.L. will preserve the stories that exist in those books. It serves as a new, refreshing approach to storytelling by presenting it in a way that’s never been done before. It also allows readers to have a chance to live out their favorite stories and fairytales. All the “what ifs” that most readers carried with them when contemplating living in their wanted fairytale land will be silenced. The Literix Library prides itself in allowing readers to finally live out their childhood dreams of exploring a fictional world.

The Literix Library was loosely influenced by a number of already existent products in the market of digital books. One of the major influences behind the project was HarperCollins and their evolution regarding the ebook. HarperCollins was one of the first major organizations the develop the idea behind the ebook back in 2005 and more recently have been focusing on what comes next in the stage of evolution after ebooks. The article Beyond E-Books: HarperCollins Looks For the Next Big Thing states that “HarperCollins recently released an app called Unbound that scans print books to pull up digital extras on your phone”. The app allows readers to scan a page of the book that they are reading and it pulls up a number of related (digital) content. Another big influence behind the creation of the L.L. is the growing presence of web/phone applications used for storytelling. Some specific apps include A Wise Use of Time and Blood & Laurels. Both apps revolve around interactive storytelling that allow users to make decisions/interact with the storyline with real time response. The ideas stemmed from the previously mentioned products in addition to the concept of interactive children’s books make up the core basis for the idea behind this project.

In the hope that the L.L. project hits the ground running, attempts to collaborate with famous authors have already been initiated. The mission is to attract a grand number of interested participants by working with authors like J.K. Rowling, R.L. Stine, J.R.R. Tolkien, Stephanie Meyer, and Suzanne Collins. Authors of such successful series of books will jumpstart the attraction to the services of the project because of the relatedness fans will register with it. Projected plans have already begun to be developed in hopes of becoming upcoming features of the L.L. These features include the addition of textbooks and “choose-your-own-adventure” books. These additions will draw a number educational benefits by allowing users to study in an environment specifically catered to their needs based on their subconscious. The new additions will also allow users to experience a more freelance version of the Literix Library service. There are no limitations on what can be accomplished with the introduction of the services of the Literix Library to the public.

 

Works Cited

Dredge, Staurt. “Interactive Book Apps – 10 of the Best.” The Guardian. N.p., 14 Sept. 2015. Web. 20 May 2016. <https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/sep/14/ten-best-interactive-book-apps-ios-android>.

Fiegerman, Seth. “Beyond E-Books: HarperCollins Looks for the Next Big Thing.” Mashable. N.p., 30 Nov. 2013. Web. 20 May 2016. <http://mashable.com/2013/11/30/harpercollins-digital-e-books-publishing/#nsxv_LR4UPqU>.

“Interactive Children’s Books.” Wikipedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 May 2016. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interactive_children%27s_book>.

May 20

Final paper “RFID Microchip”

The RFID is a microchip that uses radio frequency to transmit information. A human microchip is an Identifying integrated circuit device. The RFID transponder is encased in silicate glass the size of a rice grain and implanted into the human body. The microchip is implanted right under the surface of the skin. The RFID microchip device is very tiny and discrete. There is no possible way for the human eye to detect the RFID microchip once its implanted. Only when scanned will the microchip become detectable .The microchip contains a ID/ serial number similar to a social security number . Currently in the United States the FDA has approved RFID microchip as a class two medical device. RFID microchip is elective and completely voluntary. The RFID Microchip contain personal information such as medical history, allergies, and all contact information, The microchip works hand in hand with a smart device. Smart device Apps are available to people with RFID implanted microchips. These Apps will work in conjunction with the RFID microchip to store and connect all personal information. Human will ultimately become connect to one big servicer. Once this happens we can then become linked to everything from our homes, cars, and business to name a few. Although RFID microchip is fairly new to the public here in the United States implanted microchips has been around since 1998 in the United Kingdom. In 2007 NBC News originally reported all humans in America would be implanted with microchips by the year 2017. The RFID microchip was commonly referred to has a biometric reality. “Am I Who, I Say I Am” is the slogan used to refer to RFID microchip.

Animal were the first to receive this microchip. Farmer used microchip to located their farm animals. When animals went missing, the farmers were able to track, the missing animals though a implanted microchip. Another important way farmers benefitted from animal microchipping is, the chip allows farmers to monitor the farm animals health and diet . Household pets were given microchip in the late 90’s this helped straying dogs and cats to find their way back home. Some pet stores and breeders sold dogs and cats with microchip already implanted. Other pet stores/breeders strongly advised their customers of the benefits of microchipping their new pets.

Nearly a hundred thousand people goes missing each year. According to USA Today.com 83,957 people go missing each year in the United States. 50,569 are adults, 33,388 are children under the age of eighteen. 43,415 are males and 40,530 are females. These statics are very alarming to say the least .The RFID microchips will assist in solving many of the missing case crimes. Which will ultimately reduce the missing people rate, not only in United States but all across the world. The US Army can also benefit from implanted microchip. According to Brian Ressnick from the National Journal “ 83,000 American Veterans are still missing” Many soldiers and news reporters go missing during and after War. This tiny device can become the determining factor of how many soldiers and news reports makes it home to their love ones. POW will become traceable, and rescued.

Sex offenders will soon have mandatory microchips implanted into them to tract their whereabouts. Many people who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease often wanders off, and cannot find their way home . According to Bob DeMarco from the Alzheimer’s Reading room suggest there are somewhere around 30,000 Alzheimer’s patients reported missing of each year. People with Alzheimer disease will greatly benefit from the implanted RFID microchip. In these cases the RFID microchip will work as GPS tracking device.

Another great benefit of the RFID microchip is immediate access to a personal medical records in the case of an emergency. A person’s entire medical history can be retrieved by simply scanning the patients wrist or arm. This practice can save time, when someone life is on the line with little time left.

No more forgetting keys and being locked out of important places. No need for your local Locksmith. Locking and unlocking cars, homes and office are some of the other wonderful benefits of owning a implanted RFID microchips.

Waiting at Customs boarders and check points will all become the things of the past. Airports and other important Government building will offer a way for people to scan their RFID microchip without the hassle of standing in lines to provide identifications. This will not only cut time, but allow assist with public places becoming more safer for everyone.

Some of the cons of RFID microchips is how susceptible the microchip is to hacking and virus. Just like any other digital computerize device. The amount of information the RFID microchip contains is alarming to some people. The thought of walking pass someone and your complete identity is lost or stolen is a scary notion to most people. Once a person’s information is hacked their complete identity is leaked, health records, bank information, and credit information. It similar to if someone gained access to a person’s social security number, the same concept with the microchip. When personal information is compromised the system will notify the person immediately while the system tries to retrieved as much information as possible. The microchip will definitely introduce more jobs. Software update is an important part of microchips. This will also lower the risk of becoming hacked. However If the United States make microchipping mandatory, it may have a negative effect on people’s perception of RFID microchip. People tend to rebel towards change that is enforced on them. The Government is aware of this and is currently working on ways to gain the public’s trust and approval on RFID microchips. In the near future RFID microchip will be readily available to everyone. All ages, genders, and races. The UK are working towards passing a law that will one day require all newborns to have microchip implanted into them before leaving the hospital. Some people are concerned that the government may have too much control over people’s everyday life. Some people are even concerned the government may abuse the power gained by accessing implanted microchips certain group of people. The Government will also have access in controlling people’s money and food through RFID implanted microchip. The concerns are geared toward fear that the Government may use implanted microchip to invade people’s human rights The belief is minorities and poor people will suffer the most from having implanted microchip. States like Virginia legislation is in the process to stopping RFID microchips implantation.The United States Government has been known in the past to compromise the public’s personal information. Hacking is another major concern of RFID microchip. According to Jose Pagliery of Moneycnn.com “ 46% of U.S adults had their personal information exposed by hackers.” Computers are hacked daily, and sometime it is too late once the information has been retrieved by hackers.

I believe the RFID microchip will gain tractions when people start to weight the benefits of having a implanted microchips. Currently there is a family living in Florida that has already been implanted with the RFID microchip. I do believe the younger generation will more likely gravitate to the microchip faster. Due to the fact they are the generation of Technology. They have become so fascinated with Digital technology advancement. The microchip is testament of how advance technology has become throughout the years. The advancement of technology as definitely made life easier for everyone. If the microchip is pitched, in the right way, that people can see how much easier and safer life can actually become due to the RFID microchip. The concept of gaining fast and easy access are ideas that should be used to introduced the RFID microchip. People will not have the stress of carrying important documentations on them, such as medical cards, money, passport and credit cards. The social security cards will become the thing of the past. Some people have a hard time keeping up with important belongings, having the RFID microchip implanted will put an end to that problem. People with implanted microchip will just walk up to the doors and cash registers and place their wrist or arm under the scanner to gain quick easy access, and checkouts.

I do believe the older generation will become the last to approve the RFID microchips. There are currently many people who still has a difficult time adjusting to era of Digital Technology, and the major changes Technology has offered society. These people are content will the old fashion way of life, and are not easily persuaded by the advancement technology. The challenge is convincing older people to have the RFID microchip these people to get implanted microchip may be a waste of time, however the age of technology must go on with or without them.

In conclusion I believe the list of RFID microchips, goes on and on. This small little discrete devices can become the differences between life or death for many people. The need for quick easy access to all our personal information is what I believe separates the RFID microchip from any of the “Next Big waves” in Digital Technology . We live in a microwave society, and people want fast easy access. That is how the internet gained its popularity. RFID microchips can definitely offer people that easy hassle free access with a simple scan of the wrist or arm. Only time will tell if microchips will become successful Despite the major concerns of information safety , people are intrigue about the idea of this new wave of technology.

References

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2014/09/23/missing-persons-children-numbers/16110709/

http://cdn.defenseone.com/defenseone/interstitial.html?v=2.1.1&rf=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.defenseone.com%2Fmanagement%2F2014%2F11%2F83000-american-veterans-are-still-missing-action%2F98753%2F

http://cdn.defenseone.com/defenseone/interstitial.html?v=2.1.1&rf=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.defenseone.com%2Fmanagement%2F2014%2F11%2F83000-american-veterans-are-still-missing-action%2F98753%2F

http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2014/08/30/is-there-microchip-implant-in-your-future.html

http://www.nowtheendbegins.com/over-10000-people-have-now-received-a-permanent-human-rfid-microchip-implant/

May 20

The Future of Gaming

Rayshawn Parrilla
Final Project
The Future of Gaming

Technology is improving at a rapid pace. The content that is revealed today, were not even thought about years ago. The topic of how gaming emerged over the years is tremendously extensive. Gaming today is one of the most recognized activities that is apart of human culture. Its concept centers around the unique form of human interaction as it develops a person mind, reaction and thought. Within the same realm, the objective of gaming is used as a source of entertainment. Passed down from generation to generation, a vast amount of people share the love and excitement of its fundamentals.

Before the development of electronics and technology, we enjoyed interacting with board games including checkers, monopoly, scrabble etc. This particular style of gaming was used to develop intelligence and used in a strategic form. As electronics began to rise, game systems including Nintendo, Sega and more became the start of an epidemic that would be the nuclear of society. Its features were designed to encourage innovative game playing ideas and produce a story line mode. Coming into the 21st century, our latest versions of game systems are comprised of Play station 4 and X Box 360. These particular systems displayed high tech graphics, advanced technology and a realistic story line. As technology continues to progress, the future of gaming will move on to virtual reality which will manifest into new gaming gadgets.

The next big thing in digital media will revolve around the future in gaming. Gaming has transformed from casual games, on to online games, now leading to the future of gaming in virtual worlds. Virtual reality is best known for its technology that often replicates fictitious characters and worlds that are brought to life. Virtual reality gadgets are placed on your body joints, allowing you to command and complete real life experiences as you move characters or objects in the game. Its sensors include those of visual, physical touch and the ability to hear. While using gaming gadgets, an individual falls into a trance, causing them to become isolated from the real world. Another idea of new gadgets would be taking over the gamers mind. Most people will compare virtual reality to the concept of the game system “Wii” and its motion control or the Guitar Hero’s plastic instrument.” According to the creator of Oculus Rift virtual reality headsets Palmer Luckery, virtual reality gadgets or headsets intends to give the gamer a realistic approach of visual content and was created for the gamer to feel as though they are one with the game. Its equipment is one of the largest advances and next big leap in gaming.

When applying virtual reality to gaming, it is achieved by wearing goggles head gear, body equipment and advanced gadgets. Through research, there are 3 of many types of virtual reality gadgets looking to shake up the future in gaming, the Cyberith Virtualizer, the Dexmo Exoskelton and the Prio – VR. As gamers demand more interactivity, each gadget is designed to reveal their surroundings in real time for a more immersive experience. Although each gadget provides the same virtual reality experience, each one consists of different features and components. The Cyberith Virtualizer is a gadget which focuses on blending immersion with body stability, allowing gamers to move freely within a secluded space. The technology works by placing your body in an infinite free motion ring with a sitting function and customized belt. Its integrated sensors detects your body every movement in a 360 degree axial. The gamers are able to run, walk, jump and crouch down, enjoying every virtual reality experience while gaming. The Prio – VR technology is a harness gadget almost similar to the Cyberith Virtualizer in the sense of detecting body movement within the game. Players have the ability to “witness their body moving, manipulate objects within their gaming environment and naturally interact with the artificially created world.” The Prio – VR works through sensors placed on key points of your body including your upper body, arms, legs and head in order to grasp your movement. The main idea of the harness equipment is to fully take control over your body while in virtual gaming worlds. The Dexmo Exoskelton is one of my favorites. Its unique style of technology brings the idea of sensational touch to virtual reality. Dexmo works by folding the exoskeleton gadget over the gamers hand. The objective is designed to capture your hand motion and see your own hands. As you are able to see your hands in the game, it allows you to truly interact with the virtual world. Gamers will have the ability to actually feel digital objects, move them around and determine their size. In example, while gaming, you will be able to touch the walls in your virtual world, grab the ball in sport games, or shoot a gun in games such as “Call Of Duty” or “Grand Death Auto.” This particular technology is one of the most unique gadgets in our future of gaming. For years to come, these particular gadgets will be the center of growth within adolescents.

Virtual reality opens the doors to a new level of gaming. Its content attracts men, women and children of all ages. Though numerous people globally would love to share this captivating experience, the technology and gadgets revealed maybe inappropriate for children use. The age limit set for children interacting with new gaming technology starts at 13 years of age. Virtual reality powerful graphics and real life content has the ability to influence the minds of children. New technology can change how they learn, work, play and interact with others. It creates new path ways and connections to their brains, making it difficult for them to distinguish right from wrong or differentiate reality from what is simply fabricated. On the other hand, new technology gadgets may consists of sharp edges on its equipment and no padded parts where they can actually get hurt choking themselves or bumping into objects walking around blind folded. This type of equipment may be advanced for children under the age of 13. Health issues are also a concern. After spending a vast amount of time strapped in virtual worlds, the chances of physical side effects including motion sickness, headaches, eyestrain, nausea and more will occur. Although virtual reality will attract a large audience, its use should be kept away from young children.

For years, gaming has always been a popular trend. The level of exciting experiences it attracts is extraordinary. People of all cultures, ages as well as both genders share a passion for this content, making it relatively easy for future technology gadgets to continue to gain interest. As technology progresses, gamers demand the most realistic experience. Future gadgets like the Cyberith Virtualizer, the Dexmo Exoskelton and the Prio – VR are the answers to their demands. Virtual reality gaming developers are also currently creating a wide selection of games which will spark every gamers idea of interest. The idea is to keep the consumers in tuned and satisfied. Today, gamers are looking forward to the content virtual reality has to offer and new worlds to explore. In addition, new technology will not be limited to just gaming. Virtual reality will also be available to enhance other choices of entertainment including social network, television shows, movies and entertainment within your home. While in the comfort of your home, people will have the ability to move around in 3D dimensions, experiencing live sports, live news, films etc. Not only does virtual reality have a promising future in the gaming industry but media entertainment as well.

New technology gadgets stand out due to its unique style of gaming. The future of gaming will display adventurous action which will separate its self form other gaming contents. Its tremendous level of graphics and experience will continue to advance, making it difficult for other contenders to keep up. As we look back in history, the credentials of gaming consisted of sitting in front of your television using an internal controller. This obsolete form of gaming will no longer exist in the future. In a metaphoric sense, your entire body will be considered as the controller, allowing you to behold every sensation feeling as if you were actually inserted into the game. New technology will be able to detect motion and track a user’s position from virtual reality gloves, headsets, body equipment and other sensors. Other gaming systems will not be equipped with such features and consumers will eventually lose interest. Within years to come, virtual reality will reign supreme among all gaming systems in the world.

My perspective on the gaming industry will remain superior, creating entertainment like no other. The idea of having the ability to isolate yourself from your environment will be the case of why many virtual reality gadgets will gain revenue and be successful. Virtual reality might seem futuristic, however as technology continues to elevate, so will the features in gaming. In addition, virtual reality will include various platforms, changing how we view the media, television and more.

References
http://www.gamesradar.com/virtual-reality-inevitable-palmer-luckey-tells-us-about-future-gaming/”

The Future Of Virtual Reality Lies Beyond Gaming

Cyberith Virtualizer: Taking Virtual Reality Gaming To A New Level

Dexmo Exoskeletons Bring Sensation of Touch to VR

http://techpp.com/2014/02/17/priovr-virtual-reality-body-suite-may-change-gaming/
http://www.gamecrate.com/vr-safe-children/13215

May 20

Holograms

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then a hologram is worth a million. A Hologram “is a photographic technique that records the light scattered from an object, and then presents it in a way that is three dimensional” (Workman). Two dimensional displays are becoming boring in our world which consists of arguably, multiple dimensions. We love the way the images of a hologram dance freely in the space in front of us, while images displayed on a screen or monitor seem trapped. The hologram of Princess Leia in the movie Star Wars ignited our fascination with them. Holograms have been a long time coming, and that is why they are the future of digital media.

There are many advantages to using holograms. Holograms will make it seem like your content is alive. “Future holographic displays will also offer richer interactivity than traditional displays.  Content will be  more flexible and explorable, and instead of just passively watching shot after shot, a viewer might choose to zoom in and/or pause, to explore in detail, both spatially and temporally” (Tesla). This feature would be great for watching sporting events, where it seems like you are actually in the action. Also, this would make your feel like you are Tony Stark working on modifications for the next Ironman suit. Holograph displays “would mean you could carry a much smaller piece of hardware while having access to all the benefits of a computer” (Tesla). It is a rumor that the iPhone 7 will have a holographic keyboard, which will make typing a breeze while not actually having to carry around a bulky keyboard.

There are also some disadvantages to using holograms. We tend to fear the unknown because it is new and fills us with uncertainty. Some fear that:

If virtual reality becomes a part of people’s day-to-day lives, more and more people may prefer to spend a majority of their time in virtual spaces. As the futurist Ray Kurzweil predicted, somewhat hyperbolically, in 2013, “By the 2030s, virtual reality will be totally realistic and compelling and we will spend most of our time in virtual environments … We will all become virtual humans.” In theory, such escapism is nothing new—as critics of increased TV, Internet, and smartphone usage will tell you—but as VR technology continues to blossom, the worlds that they generate will become increasingly realistic, as Kurzweil explained, creating a greater potential for overuse. This technological paradigm shift brings a level of immersion unlike any that has come before it, and the handwringing has already begun. (Kim)

This is a valid point, but we have seen this before. The rise of television, the internet, and social media has created places for us to escape to, but we know that if we do not manage the amount of time we escape to these places, it can be detrimental. Holograms are no different. Hologram technology is very complexed and expensive. CNN created a hologram of news correspondent Jessica Yellin, and “Andrew Orloff, creative director of Zoic Studios, a Los Angeles firm that creates visual effects for TV, movies, commercials and video games, said such equipment does not come cheaply: Just one rendering engine, the kind of computer used to crunch multiple streams of visual information, can cost $70,000, he said” (Ryan). If we make the technology for holograms open source, we could have more minds working to make it cheaper and affordable to everyone. These are just small bumps in the road, and they can be overcome.

Holograms are going to change the shopping and entertainment industries as we know them.  According to The Guardian, “holograms in changing rooms will enable shoppers to try on clothes without the need to get undressed. Smart glasses will also allow shoppers to use hologram technology to assess whether certain foods contain ingredients to which they might be allergic” (Nahon). Holograms will make shopping for clothes more efficient and can potentially save lives because we will be able to detect ingredients in foods we could be allergic to.  An article by the Inquisitr said, “Pulse Evolution currently owns the rights to creating holograms of Presley, Marilyn Monroe, and Michael Jackson. The company was responsible for last year’s jaw-dropping Michael Jackson hologram performance at the Billboard Music Awards” (Droste). Holograms give us the ability to be immortalized. Death is a touchy subject, but it would be revolutionary if instead of a regular tombstone, there was a hologram of how the deceased wanted to be remembered. Also, a rapper named Chief Keef was not able to perform in his hometown of Chicago because of legal issues. He didn’t let this stop him. A hologram projection of him was set up in Chicago, while he was performing live at another location. Holograms are not limited to just changing the shopping and entertainment industries, but other aspects of our daily lives as well.

In today’s world, we want to be everywhere without actually having to be there and that is why apps like Facetime and Skype are so popular. Holograms are going to transform the way work environments are setup and the way we communicate. When it comes to creating virtual workspaces, “using technology like 3D spatial binaural audio, gesture interfaces, and super-high-resolution video, we will be able to build incredibly immersive (and relatively inexpensive) experiences for workers to connect more effectively” (Cavins). Virtual workspaces will allow for people to work from home, save travel time, without sacrificing the quality of their work. According to Tech Crunch, “studies have shown how audio and video cues are essential aspects of human-to-human interaction. The better and more lifelike we can make our remote meetings, the better we can work together” (Cavins). Virtual workspaces will make it so that it seems like you are right in front of your coworkers, so this eliminates misinterpretations and confusion. This idea can also be used to create virtual classrooms. We already have online classes, but they lack the one on one attention and personal feel a regular classroom provides. Virtual classrooms will make it so that it seems like your teacher in right in front of you. These ideas are game changers.

Surgeons will soon be adding holograms to their toolkit. According to Smithsonian Magazine, “‘a surgeon that’s going to plan to remove fragments and fix that kind of injury might benefit by viewing a true 3D representation of what they will actually see when they have the patient in the operating room,’ Napel says. ‘I think having, say, a 3D pelvis floating above a desktop, where you could see all the actual fractures and displacements, could have great potential for surgical planning’” (Handwerk). Many surgeons are very good at reading two dimensional x-rays, but we want a surgeon’s job to be as easy as possible. Holograms provide this ease. Also, this will be very useful for medical students to start their training using holograms.

We can expect to see holographic televisions, phones, and watches. The television has seen many transformations in its time and holographic televisions are next. “Researchers at MIT are anticipating holographic TV could enter our drawing room in just ten years down the line. If it turned into a valid anticipation, then today’s 2D TV sets would be obsolete from the market” (Smith). No one is going to want to watch television on a two dimensional display if they have the option to watch it holographically. The cellphone has gone through a similar metamorphosis as the television. “Sporting four front-facing cameras to track eye movement – similar to the quad-cam setup on the Amazon Fire phone – the Takee 1 is able to generate holographic images that float above the display” (McCann). Many people change phones every year or so, because they feel they need to keep up with the Joneses. If a phone that has a holographic display comes out, there is no doubt people will buy it. Putting technology into watches is relatively new and is only heard of in spy movies. One example is the Cricet Wristband, and “the bracelet comprises a pico projector and a row of eight proximity sensors that point towards the user’s forearm. It operates as a standalone device and, when activated with a twist of the wrist, projects an Android interface onto the users arm” (Robarts). With the interest that the iWatch and the Galaxy watch have gotten, a holographic watch will blow people away.

 

Works Cited

Cavins, Jeff. “Holograms, ‘Minority Report’ Gestures And Other Ways Your Meetings Will Change By 2018.” TechCrunch. AOL Inc., 02 Mar. 2013. Web. 20 May 2016.

Droste, Ryan. “An Elvis Presley Hologram Will Perform 15 Shows Next Year In Las Vegas.” The Inquisitr News. N.p., 12 July 2015. Web. 20 May 2016.

Handwerk, Brian. “Medical Holograms Are Now Part of the Surgeon’s Toolkit.” Smithsonian. N.p., 27 Mar. 2015. Web. 20 May 2016.

Kim, Onica. “The Good and the Bad of Escaping to Virtual Reality.” The Atlantic. Atlantic Media Company, 18 Feb. 2015. Web. 20 May 2016.

McCann, John. “Insane Holographic Smartphone Just One-upped Amazon Fire Phone.” TechRadar. Future US Inc., 18 June 2014. Web. 20 May 2016.

Nahon, Claude. “Six Ways Technology Is Changing the Way We Shop.” The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, 25 June 2014. Web. 20 May 2016.

Robarts, Stu. “Cicret Wristband Turns Your Arm into a Touch Screen.” Gizmag. Gizmag, 8 Dec. 2014. Web. 20 May 2016.

Ryan, Maureen. “CNN ‘hologram’: How Much Did It Cost?” The Watcher. Chicago Tribune, 6 Nov. 2008. Web. 20 May 2016.

Smith, John. “3D Hologram and the Future of Technology and Entertainment.” Business 2 Community. N.p., 29 Apr. 2015. Web. 20 May 2016.

Workman, Robert. “What Is a Hologram?” LiveScience. TechMedia Network, 23 May 2013. Web. 20 May 2016.

May 20

Final Paper: Cardsynergy

The next big thing in digital media is going to come in many forms. It could be happening right now, for all we know. Technology surrounds us these days and its capabilities have changed the way we do things. From everyday interactions, to business, to travel to finance. With the brilliant idea coming right around the corner, I believe that the next big thing in digital media will revolutionize the job industry. The problems plaguing the current job market have been around for a while. In case you haven’t noticed, things have become much less intimate. By intimate, I mean that applying for a job is no longer something you do in person. There is little to no face-to-face interaction, which in my opinion, is a real problem. I know what you’re thinking, why should they care about me as person? Either I’m qualified for the position or I’m not. I dont think its that simple. Some believe that your resume should speak for itself, but without a face to match the name, you might as well hire a complete stranger. How does one stand out in such a field? To get a job in 2016, you’d most likely have to apply online and then fill out some long, tedious questionnaire. If you’re lucky, they’ll want a paper copy of your resume, which is very rare in certain industries. This process is in need of some fresh blood and we think we have just the thing. Our vision for the future is a state-of-the-art business card. The card will contain a microchip, much like the ones found on debit/credit cards. It won’t contain any of your financial information, but your professional information instead. Your complete resume, cover letter(if needed), references, portfolio, etc will be right on the chip and ready to be viewed upon connecting it via USB it to any laptop or computer. The card will have 16GB of space and also comes with an adaptor, allowing it to link to other devices. The PDC, or Professional Data Chip, was the original name of our product, but it has since been upgraded. The PDC now goes by the name of CARDSYNERGY, and we think it captures the new possibilities of what our technology can do. We got the basis of our idea from the new trend of holographic or image-changing business cards. We found examples all over the internet, but we took what we thought was the next step in developing something vastly different; something better. Our invention is two fold: it counts as a device as well as a service. Upon ordering, your package will arrive in less than 14 business days. You will also have the ability to customize your business card and its contents however you like. How you ask? Well, CARDSYNERGY will be the worlds’ first and only open source business card. Users will be able to go inside the chip and rewrite the code in order to vary presentation, style, font, images, and documents contained within. We chose the open source route because we truly believe that the future of technology is only as good as its ability to evolve. The self-obsolescence of todays devices has become an incredibly wasteful habit in our time. Things are being engineered to fail at some point down the line, compelling consumers to buy a brand new one. To combat that, we encourage our users to explore our device and find ways to improve it. We want your business card to grow as you do. As you can imagine, a device and service such as CARDSYNERGY can only take off if people are using it. At the moment, our target audience is those looking for work in certain fields. We know that not everyone will be willing to adapt. Not yet, anyway. We believe that one day in the near future all corporations, companies, and businesses will be using our product, making the job hunt that much easier. Our device will re-invigorate the face-to-face interaction that the job market is so desperately missing. Using digital media in the workplace is not new, but with CARDSYNERGY, we will enter a new chapter. Our other target audience is the new generation of entrepreneurs and small business owners. In today’s world, they need to be technologically savvy and able to make strong first impressions, which our product can assist in. Imagine the look on your prospective clients or partners faces when they see you pull out a sleek, microchip enabled, pocket-sized business card made for the 21st century and beyond. Not only will you stand out, you may just inspire someone else to try it too. For small business owners, they could drastically cut their costs but switching to our technology and maximize their productivity in terms of employment and profit. We plan on gaining interest and traction for our idea by beta testing it with the public. Social media, hands on demonstrations, and word of mouth have proven very useful in the past, so why stray from it? We would also like to have booths set up for display at all electronic stores. You can test the product at various locations with the assistance with a trained technician, but you would have to buy the product directly from us. We are in talks with certain big industries to incorporate and promote the product as well. Editing the code will always be free, but after a 30 day trial there will be a monthly fee to continue using our services. If CARDSYNERGY helps you to establish your own business using our skilled technicians, a one-time start up fee will also be applied, in addition to our monthly charge. We also charge for memory upgrades, in the event you need more space for storage. Our project is unlike anything you or I or the world has ever seen before. We think we stand out in many ways. Starting with our ability to compile all of your professional information in one convenient place. I can’t think of any other product right now that can do that, and do so in a digital way. Our project is also different because we are planning on taking the open source technology to new levels. As I said before, very wasteful have we become, as our old devices pile higher and higher in a landfill somewhere.If we follow this model, there number of obsolete, no longer used technology will skyrocket. One of our many aims is cut the massive waste of plastic and metal by switching to an evolving, cooperative technology, which is exactly what open source is. Open source has been around for a long time, and since its inception has been hailed as impractical and ineffective by the companies who don’t use it. Naturally, they would say such things to tarnish the competition, but open source continues to live. It is neither impractical or ineffective, in fact it is the opposite. As long as their is open source, there will always be alternative voice to what big business says is good. We wish to continue this trend, allowing open source and its participants to flourish and our product will help us do just that. What I love most about open source is the environment it creates for people to work cooperatively and without competiton. They work on the code out of their own free will, and seem to have a vision in mind that works for the greater good of those who are involved. The modern business model could learn a thing or two from this process, although I doubt they will change their tactics now. When gauging the success of CARDSYNERGY, we will be consider the following factors:
1. Our average sales per month
2. The amount of people who continue to use it after the completion of the 30 day trial
3. The number of corporations relying on our technology to hire only the best and most suitable applicants
4. The number of people who are employed after using CARDSYNERGY
5. The participation from the public when it comes to editing the internal code
6. How much time it takes before everyone is on board
7. Feedback from our users
Let me be clear, we are a business. Clearly, we at CARDSYNERGY fully intend to make a profit from our devices and services, but our success cannot be quantified simply by dollars. Of course it is an essential part of our success, but we will not rest until the job world realizes the potential of such a project. We sincerely hope that it is met with much enthusiasm. However, we do understand that like most technological advancements, these things will take some time. Some people or industries will take longer to switch over to our technology, but that isn’t a big concern. Patience and perseverance are the keys to building our user base – Helpful, dependable, professional, tech savvy people who are always hungry for more. That is the true key to our success. Provide something like CARDSYNERGY this in a rapidly changing world and it is only a matter of time before people will see the value in it.

References:

http://www.yourdictionary.com/synergy

http://www.businessinsider.com/the-22-most-creative-business-cards-weve-ever-seen-2012-2

May 20

The Future of Digital Marketing

Digital marketing is the promotion of products or brands via one or more forms of electronic media. Digital marketing differs from traditional marketing in that it involves the use of channels and methods that enable an organization to analyze marketing campaigns and understand what is working and what isn’t, typically in real time.
Digital media is so pervasive that consumers have access to information any time and any place they want it. Gone are the days when the messages people got about your products or services came from you and consisted of only what you wanted them to know. Digital media is an ever-growing source of entertainment, news, shopping and social interaction, and consumers are now exposed not just to what your company says about your brand, but what the media, friends, relatives, peers, etc., are saying as well. And they are more likely to believe them than you. People want brands they can trust, companies that know them, communications that are personalized and relevant, and offers tailored to their needs and preferences
Presently successful marketing comes from collecting, analyzing and using data about when and where customers spend their time. In short, data is behavior. Learning from this behavior drives creative messaging and strategic campaigns. Tracking behavior and tapping into the emotional connection through messaging, ads, social, and design makes all the difference in the digital space. In order to truly be optimal, brands need to find the individual creative elements within their ads that perform best for each online ‘purchasing scenario’. Individualized testing and optimization for each demographic, interest, product-type or keyword is now possible, and is imperative to staying successful as a digital marketer
Social sites like Facebook have some of the most specific variables for advertising. Narrow down to age, interests, location, behaviors, political leanings, and more. Test search, display and mobile ads along with your email and social campaigns. Find what really works for your customers and work more efficiently.

As a brand, join in on the engagement. It’s not enough to listen to your audience; respond and interact. Market specifically to individuals who are reaching out and talking about you. Give your audience something to love and share. Have fun with your marketing and open yourself up to build loyalty and connection. Single marketing voices only reach the people already in their networks. To break through, companies and causes will increasingly need to partner with suppliers, brand ambassadors and others to reach more people, more often, team work is vital

As technology and consumer behavior is evolving from now to the next 10 years, the ways of marketing will change tremendously. A few predictions I came across for marketing in the future are; the need for brands to work on a timeline that matches culture, not ad campaigns.
Mobile will enable more personal interactions between brands and people. The number one possession people have is their smartphone and there are more mobile devices than people on the planet. Mobile is the way people interact with friends and brands. The way they look at content is shifting to small screen and successful brands will be able to create a more personalized experience with consumers. Branding is rapidly becoming a two-way conversation as social media has given consumers a voice, which has not been done before. As brands track individual consumer behavior in real-time, they can use it to tailor the experience for that specific person and their specific behaviors on a mass scale.
Transparency is the new key. Consumers expect more information from the brands they use and they expect brands to do well. They want to know who they are and what they stand for. They reward companies that have similar values and ask, “Is the brand good for me and good for society”. Brands have to be more transparent in a genuine and authentic way—to live and demonstrate their values, they need to walk the talk. If they do, they will win both the hearts and the minds of consumers, which builds sales overnight and the brand over time.
Next, there will be a shift from talking at the consumers to making the consumers talk. People don’t necessarily want to be marketed to, so brands should look to create engagement and conversations at every consumer touch point. We aim to make everything we do a catalyst for conversation. In terms of our advertising, we want people to ask, “What’s the product? What’s the music? Who’s the artist? What are others saying about it?” Everything must be about the conversation. We want people love our food, care about our brand, and want to share with others.
Rise of video and video sharing. With the rise of mobile, video is in high demand because people love visual storytelling. This includes short form, long form, snippets, streaming, etc. This shift in consumption shatters some of the conventional marketing models. Brands will become more nimble and will see creative and digital agencies morphing into one as ideas need to be cohesively executed across all channels simultaneously. Content will need to be produced more quickly and efficiently which has big implications for the traditional agencies.
Most branded content will come from consumers. User generated content will far exceed branded content and brands will need to embrace this and accept they aren’t in complete control of their own brand. As such, it’s imperative that brands create a strong identity in the minds and hearts of consumers. All channels are programmatic. Programmatic rightly gets a bad name, but the core idea of marketing channels being accessible via an input like an API is a really important concept. Right now that’s true of the social channels, and increasingly, the rest of the digital marketing channels, but over the next five years we’ll also see traditional channels like radio and television open themselves up to receive marketing assets programmatically.
The complexity of modern marketing is only going to keep increasing. The job of being a marketer in 2015 is much more difficult than it was 20 years ago. The conception of channels, markets, and, importantly, incomes in emerging markets around the world, has made marketing a complex discipline. While this is a big challenge, it’s also a good problem to have, as over the next five years marketers will have an ever-growing customer base who, thanks to the growth of smartphones, they will be able to reach directly. All of this will drive more complexity inside and outside organizations, but, when accompanied by growth, that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
Technology moves upstream. If you look at how technology has moved through marketing, it started at the edge and has continued to move closer and closer to the actual planning and development of marketing itself. Over the next five years we’ll see technology complete this transition and become a part of the core fabric of marketing itself.
Agencies will become connectors. Brands want to connect with people through artist relationships and artists want brand dollars. Agencies will be the force that brings them together in partnerships that are about more than just pay to play. Good agencies will act like product companies, not service companies. Service companies aspire to a happy customer and a contract renewal. Product companies innovate quickly and offer better value with each iteration. Agencies who get the Silicon Valley fast iteration memo will lead the next generation. Big data will get personal. The revolution that has changed how brands go to market will become personalized and allow individuals to use data to pursue their passions and goals. Products and experiences that help people along on this journey will become a much bigger part of our lives. Marketers who participate in this productively and respectfully will form deeper relationships. Those who intrude will get shut out.
Culture will still be king. People will continue to care more about culture than products, so brands that operate on a cultural level will be the winners of the future as they are of the present. The central issue for a marketer will be winning a battle for cultural relevance. The winners will make marketing as valuable as the product or service him or she is selling. Great marketers will find a brand story that is worth following, and will create chapters to this story that evolve over time. They will embrace brands that evolve.
Creative energy will see a shift away from agencies and towards publishers and platforms. An increasing number of the brightest creative minds will abandon standalone agencies for creative divisions of media companies and tech companies, and in turn, these will become the go-to shops for best-in-class brand services.

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