Aug
26
Written by:
8/26/2010 8:33 AM
What finer word in the English vernacular than
“vacation?” It’s a wonderful way to keep one’s head from exploding, but a
temporary break from the news race these days is like spending a few decades in
cryogenic sleep. Especially when it comes to technology. TVs have taken on so
many functions in the last few months that they’re not really TVs anymore, but
rather portals into the electromagnetic field.
TVs deliver 3D video, 5.1 audio, content from the Internet, music, commerce,
movies on demand and video calls from far-flung friends. By the time I get back
in the saddle in September, I expect Radio Shack to be offering Brain Field, a
new video game in which players create images on the screen with brain waves
through electrodes taped to their heads. A third-party developer will come up
with the electrode-free infrared version two days later. The following week, a
seven-year-old savant in Mechanicsville, Pa., will use it to create a new race
of light beings.
There will of course be apps up the wazoo. Millions will download the Mood
Light app that lights up the TV screen according to the room’s “energy.” E.g.,
Bono+Nelson Mandala=bright white, while Bono+Mel Gibson=kind of brown, and
Prince=duh.
Similar to the Mood Light app, the Grow Light app will mimic sunshine, and the
iSpy app will track the location of all downloads, revealing heavy traffic for
the Grow Light app in Humboldt County, Calif.
The New You app will reflect your face and body the way you wish you looked. It
will be integrated into video conferencing. Human contact will diminish
substantially. The use of laundry soap will decline.
Virtual pet apps will abound. Tropical fish, wheel-spinning hamsters, sleeping
snakes. The Mister Ed app is a horse, of course, that talks back to you. Mobile
enthusiasts will download Purse Dog app for that Rodeo Drive effect without the
slobber. There will be endless apps featuring cats sleeping, making faces,
playing the piano, sleeping, batting a sock, running, pouncing and sleeping.
The Whazzat app supports remote-control painting and sculpting of actual objects
that can be instantly shipped to loved ones longing for something hand-made.
Ish.
Hypno will make people think they’ve stopped smoking. The Zapper will attract
and electrocute flying insects. The Radar Baby will cook hotdogs within 12
inches of the screen. The Vroomba will turn robotic vacuum cleaners into hyperactive
obstacles to be danced around in a salsa-like fashion. Oh Snap! lets users
wrest control of Naval drones and fly them in restricted airspace over
Washington, D.C.
Whatever is an app that takes over in a boring conversation. Dream On will
interpret nocturnal hallucinations and match people with similar disturbances.
Conjure will bring a light being to the front door, and Incarnation will program
it to do your work. While you are on vacation. Blissfully clueless.
Type at you in September. Ta ta for now.