Future Now
The IFTF Blog
Just Released! An Open Mobile Ecosystem: Digital Stories and Tech Foundations Memo
I am so pleased to announce the publication of our latest research: An Open Mobile Ecosystem [SR-1206], which includes a visual exploration of our research in digital stories as well as a technology memo.
Our technology foundation piece and digital stories can be found here.
Each of our five stories examines a different aspect of mobile technology intersecting with people and culture. Click on each individual link to watch that particular story.
- Increased Transparency
"As the ability to stream data and information in real time across multiple channels becomes more pervasive, we will move towards increased transparency. People will record and share their lives and the lives of those around them, providing power to grass roots voices in the process. It will often pit governments and those in control against voices coming from the bottom up, and the two sides will play a cat and mouse game with each other trying to make sure their version of the story is the one we hear."
- Amplified Networks
- Networking the Environment
"Embedded sensors and pervasive computing will equip things and environments with their own persistent streams, allowing us to engage with our environments on a more human scale. By giving voices and personalities to objects in our environment, we will bring sentience and presence to the inanimate."
- Formalizing the Informal
"As the cost of mobile connectivity and devices continues to decline, the mobile phone will becomes an indispensible social tool for those at the bottom of the pyramid. The mobile phone will emerge as an important source of identity with the mobile number acting like a social security number for the poor across the globe. It will also provide opportunities to those at the bottom of the pyramid to participate in local, regional and global economy through mobile banking, mobile health and other commercial transactions"
- Homeward Bound
"Migration from rural areas to urban areas is a worldwide trend. In developing nations, mobile technologies are often the only way migrants can stay in touch with their families and social networks back in their hometowns."
"The power of a mobile device in everyone’s pocket will lead to increased global interaction in communities of all kinds: faith, culture, politics, diasporas, and more. This amplification of networks will provide people and communities with increasingly affordable presence and connectivity. A look at the lives of three different mobile individuals helps give us some perspective on how amplified networks are improving the quality of people’s lives."