Friday 14 September 2007

Changing landscapes in the wide world of WEB..

Web is changing, and it is changing very fast. Every day a new innovation is being added into the realm of web. The current era of the Web, which is commonly referred to as Web 2.0 includes search, social networks, online media (music, video, etc), content aggregation and syndication (RSS), mashups (APIs), and much more.

Currently the world of Web is harnessed with the help of a PC, but coming years will witness its services being accessed through mobile devices (e.g. iPhone) and television sets (e.g. XBox Live 360). Future of Web goes will pass through these gadgets.

A million dollar question that is in back of everyone’s mind is - What then can we expect from the next 10 or so years on the Web? Experts believe that the Web in 10 years time won't necessarily be via a computer screen that we presently are using. They say "the online activity will be mixed with the presence, travels, objects you buy or act with." Moreover, a lot of crossover will occur and there will be Web technologies that will become enormously popular that we can't predict now.

Semantic Web

About the Semantic Web, experts say it would be about machines talking to machines. It's about making the Web more 'intelligent', computers "analyzing all the data on the Web – the content, links, and transactions between people and computers."

Mobile

Mobile Web is another Next Big Thing that is slowly but surely snowballing now. It's already big in parts of Asia, particularly in India and Europe. And it received a kick in the US market this year with the release of Apple's iPhone. If Google Phone rumour is correct, then is just the beginning.

In 10 years time there will be many more location-determination services available via mobile devices; such as getting personalized shopping offers as you walk through your local mall, or getting map directions while driving your car, or hooking up with your friends on a Friday night.

Mobile manufacturers like Nokia, Sony-Ericsson, Palm, Blackberry and Microsoft have been active in the Mobile Web for years now, but one of the main issues with Mobile Web has always been usability. The iPhone has a revolutionary UI that makes it easier for users to browse the Web, using zooming, pinching and other methods. The iPhone is a strategy that may expand Apple's sphere of influence, from web browsing to social networking and even possibly search.

So even despite the iPhone hype, in the US at least (and probably other countries when it arrives) the iPhone will probably be seen in 10 years time as the breakthrough Mobile Web device.

What would be role of mobile in our life, and what would be its relation with Web is still under wrap? Till then....wait.

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