Web experts have warned about the potential uncertainty that Internet users might be faced with as the World Wide Web moves closer towards another major transformation. Unlike the chaos created by the millennium bug, most of the predictions thus far are not arguably not as worrying.
Smarter or Semantic Web
Semantic Web is a network of linked data that can be shared and re-used across various platforms. It is hoped this will be achieved by increasing and putting far more of the World’s raw data on the Internet so that the Web will be taught to understand and question itself far more than ever before. The aim of the Smarter Web is, therefore to eventually create a super-intelligent resource for Web users so that for example, searches made on search-engines will now give users exact and specific real-time answers which is far superior to what we have today.
The Ubiquitous Web
Most computer users think about the Web, today, as something approached via a browser on a MAC or PC, with the help of a keyboard. The ubiquitous Web aims to change this mindset by taking advantage of mobile-network technology so that Web users will be able to access the Internet wherever, whenever and in spite of whatever they are doing, almost in a device-free way. For example, through eye-glasses, or some sort of wearable visor. Thus, the Web browser, as we know it, will no longer be needed and will therefore be discarded. More people will also get connected to the Internet through mobile devices thus making humans even more dependent on the Web than ever.
Objects in the Cloud
In addition to real Web users (people), more and more objects – ranging from cars, to heart monitors, home sensors and so on – are going to be connected to the Web thus contributing to the increasing wave of data which will be store in the cloud built by Web superpowers (Read more about Clouds here) .
Challenges of the Future Web?
So then, what does the future hold for a World that will be even more dependent on the Web than it is at the moment? With more and more data being stored, it will become more challenging and expensive for smaller organisations to compete with Web giants such as Yahoo, Microsoft and Google who will possibly be the only ones that can cope with the technological demands thus leading gradually to complete dependence on these Web giants. Consequently, the future of the Web may end up becoming one that is totally controlled by a few giant Web corporations, where openness, freedom and universal standards are a thing of the past.
Talking Point
Are you satisfied or worried about the potential future of the Internet? What is your major source of concern or satisfaction?