In the near future, upon hearing the words "Lights on", a table lamp or overhead light will turn on by the sound of one’s voice. And although George Jetson’s futuristic touch-button home isn’t currently on the market, the concept is not far away.
Sears has partnered with Sun Microsystems Inc., among other companies, to develop an Internet-connected home. Utilizing Sears’ appliances and Sun’s Java and Jini technologies, the advanced home will combine home systems and components through the Internet to make home activities function more effectively and efficiently. This is only one example of the trend toward home automation through integration.
Sunbeam Corporation recently displayed its prototype computer-integrated household of the future affectionately named Thalia Thinking which links other "intelligent" appliances. Thalia monitors aspects of every household member’s life from daily appointments to blood pressure.
The system reminds you to fill the coffee maker, too much pressure on the weighing scale prompts Talia to suggest low-fat recipes downloaded off the Internet, and the blood pressure monitor emails your doctor if necessary.
While we are talking about technology, you might enjoy these tech-based comments:
Home is where you hang your @.
The e-mail of the species is more deadly than the mail.
A journey of a thousand sites begins with a single click.
You can't teach a new mouse old clicks.
Great groups from little icons grow.
Speak softly and carry a cell phone
C:\ is the root of all directories.
Oh, what a tangled website we weave when first we practice.
Pentium wise, pen and paper foolish.
The modem is the message.
Too many clicks spoil the browse.
The geek shall inherit the earth.
There's no place like home(page).
Don't byte off more than you can view.
Fax is stranger than fiction.
What boots up must come down.
Windows will never cease.
Virtual reality is its own reward.
Modulation in all things.
Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach him to use the Net and he won't bother you for weeks.
Also See:
Trend Talk: Tomorrow's Homebuyers Are College Freshmen
Trend Talk: From Stainless Steel to Bean Bag Chairs, Mid-century Nostalgia Is Back
Published: January 26, 2000
Use of this article without permission is a violation of federal copyright laws.
