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s we bid adieu to Walt Mossberg's final weekly column on The Verge and Recode, it marks the culmination of a remarkable journey through the ever-evolving world of consumer technology. Since 1991, Walt has been our trusted guide, offering insights, critiques, and foresight that have shaped the way we engage with the digital realm.
The Journey Through Personal Technology
Walt takes us on a reflective journey, reminiscing about his inaugural Personal Technology column in 1991. His candid assertion then, "Personal computers are just too hard to use, and it’s not your fault," has now evolved into a reassuring, "Personal technology is usually pretty easy to use, and, if it’s not, it’s not your fault." The evolution of devices like PCs and phones has transformed them into user-friendly, reliable companions seamlessly integrated into our daily lives.
The Current Tech Landscape
In the present, Walt observes a unique lull in the tech domain. While smartphones continue to evolve, tablets grapple with their identity, and desktops/laptops become staples. Major software revolutions like cloud computing and social networks are still in growth mode but have settled into their roles.
Within this lull, emerging technologies such as consumer drones and robotics await practical applications. The standout, however, is Amazon’s Echo, with Alexa at its helm, symbolizing the dawn of a more profound era in artificial intelligence.
The Horizon: Ambient Computing
Walt foresees a transformative future where tech giants invest in foundational technologies: artificial intelligence, augmented reality, virtual reality, robotics, drones, smart homes, self-driving cars, and digital health/wearables. He envisions a world where computing seamlessly blends into our surroundings—a new epoch of "ambient computing."
In this paradigm, technology might fade into the background, activated by subtle cues or even thoughts. Drawing parallels to a Saturday Night Live skit, Walt envisions an ever-smaller iPod until it becomes invisible yet possesses unimaginable capabilities.
Addressing Concerns: Privacy and Security
Acknowledging concerns about privacy invasion and security, especially in the era of ambient computing, Walt emphasizes the necessity for robust standards and laws. Entrusting our homes, cars, and health to tech companies necessitates regulations akin to enforceable building codes and auto safety standards.
The Role of Tech Giants
While the current tech oligopoly – Apple, Amazon, Facebook, Google, and Microsoft – leads the charge, Walt raises questions about their power. He calls for a careful balance between progress and preventing potential abuses, urging for regulations that ensure these giants don't wield excessive influence over our digital lives.
Embracing the Future
In his parting words, Walt acknowledges the transformative journey we've all been on and anticipates a new phase where experiences take precedence over objects and processes. From a gadget-lover turned tech believer, he expresses excitement about the acceleration of the tech roller coaster, even as he relinquishes the role of reviewing the latest gadgets. Walt's watchful eye remains on the horizon as we embark on the next turn of the wheel.
In conclusion, we salute Walt Mossberg for his decades-long contribution to tech journalism and eagerly anticipate the unfolding chapters of consumer technology in this new era he envisions.
