Bill Gates has always been a visionary. And the fundamental proof of it has been Microsoft.
But, if he is literal about anything has been his insane number of predictions of technology that are now realities.
Let’s have a look:
Price comparison sites
Gates’ prediction:
Automated price comparison services will be developed, allowing people to see prices across multiple websites, making it effortless to find the cheapest product for all industries.
What we see now:
You can easily search for a product on Google or Amazon and get different prices for the same product. Sites like Trivago and bikedekho etc. are built specifically for price comparisons.
Smart mobile devices
Gates’ prediction:
People will carry around small devices that allow them to constantly stay in touch and do electronic business from wherever they are. They will be able to check the news, see flights they have booked, get information from financial markets, and do just about anything else on these devices.
What we see now:
Smartphones, and now smartwatches, do this for most people.
Instant payment gateways for healthcare
Gates’ prediction:
People will pay their bills, take care of their finances, and communicate with their doctors over the Internet.
What we see now:
Tech hasn’t been able to change healthcare all that much, but there are sites like ZocDoc that makes finding a doctor and scheduling easier. You can now borrow money online through sites like Lending Club, and easily make payments through sites like PayPal and PayTM.
Personal assistants and the Internet of Things
Gates’ prediction:
Personal companions will be developed. They will connect and sync all your devices in a smart way, whether they are at home or in the office, and allow them to exchange data. The device will check your email or notifications, and present the information that you need. When you go to the store, you can tell it what recipes you want to prepare, and it will generate a list of ingredients that you need to pick up. It will inform all the devices that you use for your purchases and schedule, allowing them to automatically adjust to what you’re doing.
What we see now:
Apple Siri and Google Assistant are on their ways in this direction. Meanwhile, smart devices like Nest collect data on your daily routines and automatically adjust the house temperature. Beacons will send you to store coupons based on your past purchasing habits.
Online home-monitoring
Gates’ prediction:
Constant video feeds of your house will become common, which inform you when somebody visits while you are not home.
What we see now:
Dropcam sells home surveillance cameras that make home-monitoring easy. Google bought the company for $555 million in 2014.
Social media
Gates’ prediction:
Private websites for your friends and family will be common, allowing you to chat and plan for events.
What we see now:
Social media sites like Facebook and Instagram take care of this.
Automated promotional offers
Gates’ prediction:
Software that knows when you’ve booked a trip and uses that information to suggest activities at the local destination. It suggests activities, discounts, offers, and cheaper prices for all the things that you want to take part in.
What we see now:
Travel sites like Expedia and Kayak offer deals based on past purchase data. Google and Facebook ads can offer promotional ads based on the user’s location and interests.
