Futuristic Gadgets (and Technologies) of Today and Tomorrow

A faster processor and a more capable camera are all cool. But when Apple pulled the curtains off its iPhone 4S on October 4, the only feature which mattered and still matters to the tech geeks inside us is Siri – a new personal assistant software that would be able to help you send a message, set a reminder and schedule appointments with specific contacts via the sound of your voice. If you are heading out, you can also ask Siri help find restaurants and enquire about the weather.

Hey, remember those scenes from the Iron Man films where the room literally sprang to life at the vocal command of Tony Stark? Reality is closer to sci-fi than you think and today in2it explores the some of the most futuristic gadgets (and technologies) that the most inventive of engineers and designers have dreamt up. And gasp! Some of these gizmos are already en route to a store near you!

LG LSM-100 Scanner Mouse

 
When:
Now

Where:
Currently retails in South Korea and the UK only, but there’s always online shopping

Price:
$256 (excluding shipping fees) from Amazon.com, $189 (excluding shipping fees) from eBay Singapore

What:
Ever wished you could turn that kinetic energy from the mouse into something more than a way to play Facebook games at work? Thanks to a scanner on its underside, this mouse can make short work of any document and photo up to A3 size. Clicking on a button at the side of this mouse would activate the scanner and allow you to reproduce what you want on the screen by running the mouse over the piece of article. With its ability to recognise text, the mouse is also able to convert scanned text into Microsoft Word documents for editing. However, there’s no word yet on whether you would be able to scan your friend’s face.

 
in2it Futuristic rating:

 

The scanner mouse combines the most ubiquitous of today’s technologies into a rather nondescript device which sports the functionality of the near future but doesn’t look nearly futuristic enough.

Sony HMZ-T1 Personal 3D Viewer

 
When:
November 2011

Where:
Only in Japan

Price:
Unavailable – but it’s estimated to cost $1,022

What:
At one point during the design process of a 3D HDTV, someone at Sony hit the light bulb and figured that sticking the television on the user’s face would be the only way audiences are going to enjoy a more immersive visual experience. The result is a playful cross between a visor and a mysterious blue hue that looks Tron: Legacy-ish. Soon you will be able to tell your girlfriend that you’re watching a documentary when you’re actually counting skin cells on Rosie Huntington-Whiteley in Transformers: Dark of the Moon – and look cool while doing it too.

 
Guilt-free viewing experience

The Sony Personal 3D Viewer consists of twin 0.7-inch OLED screens which are able to project images of up to 720p HD, one for each eye. in2it wouldn’t want to bore you with a totally technical explanation of how things work in the gadget but if you have been to the Singapore Science Centre Omni-Theatre before, you will know how images will look like when you watch a movie or play a game with it. The unit also comes attached with simulated 5.1 surround sound headphones so there’s an aurally pleasing experience to be had as well. At the moment, the Personal 3D viewer must be wired to a processing unit to work so your movements will remain largely limited when using the device.

 

in2it Futuristic rating:

 

We are really excited about getting our hands on such a device but as of this writing, Sony thinks that it’s still too dangerous to release such a visually intensive product in Singapore because our country’s myopia rate is too high. At least there will be less wire clutter in the living room. Wait, the future doesn’t need wires (more on that later)! We drop a point off the rating because the Personal 3D Viewer isn’t wireless!

Samsung Flexible AMOLED Display

 
When:
2nd Quarter 2012

Where:
No information yet

Price:
No information yet

What:
This pliable screen doesn’t break even when hammered. Touted as one of Samsung’s most innovative products yet, the display is made of a plastic polyimide substrate called graphene – a new material that experts believe would replace glass as the main component of screen manufactures in the near future. Although Samsung has no official plans to integrate the displays into their smartphones yet, enterprising South Korean designer Heyon You has already channeled his keen anticipation of the material’s wondrous properties into the Samsung Galaxy Skin concept. Elsewhere, industry players are predicting that the display could be used for watches after it enters mass production in the second quarter of 2012.

 
in2it Futuristic rating:

 

This is digital paper sans the crease. It seems that we may have inherited some useful technologies from the spaceship crash last week.

Wireless Electricity

 
When:
Widespread use by 2021 (estimated)

Where:
No information yet

Price:
No information yet

What:
 
Wireless solutions today are run on rechargeable batteries. But they could be run on electrical power from the air tomorrow. The power would be transmitted from a panel-like source which is connected to the main circuit. Batteries can also be recharged by holding them near the panel. This impressive technology was developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) by a cadre of physicists led by Marin Soljacic in 2005 and commercialised in 2007 under the brand WiTricity. The limited distance at which effective electrical transmission can be conducted has been impeding the growth of this new technology but WiTricity is currently working with various partners including Mitsubishi Motors and Toyota to help find and create practical applications for wireless electricity.

 

in2it Futuristic rating:

 

Wires cause our desks to look untidy. They run in all directions but they are the only ones with enough juice to power the greediest devices today. If wireless electricity can eliminate unsightly cables, better protect the environment because we wouldn’t be disposing of as many lead and mercury-laden batteries, we say the sooner wireless electricity comes into widespread use, the better.

Do you know of more futuristic gadgets and technologies that are already on store shelves or on the verge of becoming reality? Sound off in the comment section below.

Story by Loh Yong Jian

Exclusively for in2it.sg members!
We are giving away a iPod Nano, Stereo Headset and Portable Hard Drive! Stand a chance to win by taking part in our contest happening right now on our forums @ http://www.in2it.sg/contests. Hurry, contest closes 20 November 2011!