Mr. Matthews Goes to IPG

The living room of the future will have 7 remote controls

Note to reader:  This post was written in 2009 but was not posted due to a hard drive malfunction.  It can now be enjoyed in its entirety.

I had the occasion to tour the IPG Emerging Media Lab a few weeks years ago with my APOC group. We were warmly recieved and treated to a catered dinner before taking a tour of the facility that showcases emerging technologies and how they are (or will be) incorporated into the lives of the consumer (and the implications to those trying to market to these people). Here are the top three insights I walked away with:

• In the near future there will be 3D television capable of delivering three-dimensional "virtual reality" without the need of additional eyewear, nor necessitating the user risk his/her life should the unit malfunction. (See Star Trek Voyager episode "The Killing Game")
• Mid-century modern decor will be the decor of choice in future living rooms.
• Special bar codes on reading material will allow the user to interface with a virtual object when held in-front of a compatible computer camera device.

2011 commentary: We are still waiting on the 3D televisions (sans glasses) here in the US, but Toshiba unveiled a unit three months ago that will soon be selling in Japan.