Buzz Out Loud Lounge forum: Predictions for 2006

BOL will finally post their video podcasts! i love you Veronica~ :P

I predict, no one will care about IE7, or was that 6? Either way, After being an IE user for years and years, I went to Mozilla FF. Why? It's better, faster , stronger , oh wait, that's the Million dollar man, oops.
But seriously, after using FF, which by the way has far less trouble viewing most sites now, is safer, and downloads are far faster. IE is needed for Win updates, yeah, yeah, so it's good for somethin'..;)
My prediction then? More FF users. By the way, as much as I now love FF, don't ever say one bad word about it, or FF users will be on you like flies on congressmen! I'm serious! Even if it's an innocent bug in the system, LOOK OUT! This happened to me, if I was there in person, I would have been hanged!
I also predict that Bill Gates will have XP carved on the moon to remind us all how greedy and ruthless he is. Hey, don't laugh, he can afford it!
Paul

1. Steve Jobs will unviel a wi-fi enabled ipod, the only wireless function of which will be to update podcasts.
2. Apple will make the mac-mini a DVR, although the recorded video will not be complatible with the video ipod (although you will be able to watch itunes purchased videos on your TV).
3. RIM will settle with NTP for "an undisclosed amount of cash and ongoing royalties" and those in the know will shake their heads at the audacity of it all.
4. skype will die because ebay will ruin it somehow.
5. viop will change the way we use our computers and phones (to a great degree).
6. traditional "wire" telcos will become increasingly nervous and explore new ways to beef up revenue such as over-laying advertising on your screen through your internet connection (like the scrolling newsline on CNN).
7. google will partner with nokia and together they will create, among other things, a GPS enabled phone that is compatible with google earth for real-time location tracking and route request information.
8. microsoft will continue to produce great programs that hackers will continue to exploit which will, in turn, cause microsoft to spend an inordinate amount of time putting out fires and plugging holes instead of creating even more innovative new software.
9. cell companies around the world will agree on a protocol to assign one person one number for life, creating a truly orwellian scenario. the person whose number spells i-am-a-giant-tool will be mocked by the likes of Molly Wood.
10. photos with santa at your local mall will be sponsored by cell phone companies, who will allow kids to "call" santa on their phones, hearing a lengthy pre-recorded message, which will allow the representative time to sell the parents' specific products and services.
11. richard branson will blast off into space, smile for the cameras, and then head back to his home planet of Xdoiekdnkls to prepare for the invasion.
12. using "i" in front of gadgets will continue to be overused. i mean i-overused.
13. people will create technology-free rooms in their homes. these rooms will have books, soft chairs and warm lighting in them, and will be known as 'heritage rooms'.
14. hd media players will no longer be manufactured. flash will be where it's at.

An independent film will release in the theaters and on DVD at the same time. The movie will be initially be successful for taking on a new model of distribution. But, it will continue to prosper because of good actors and a compelling story, neither of which will be coming out of Hollywood in 2006. Major studio will sit up and take notice and do their best to screw it up.

As reported today in BOL!

http://news.com.com/Soderbergh+does+a+DVD-theater+release+combo/2100-1025_3-6026218.html?tag=nefd.lede

$299 Mac Mini

This is more of a wish than prediction, but I predict the Buzz Out Loud podcast will become a fully featured aspect of CNET, and that Tom, Molly, and Veronica won't have to do it during their lunch. This will result in the podcast becoming longer -- say, 1.5 hours -- so it will last during ALL of my daily morning walks, and I don't have to switch over to second grade podcasts after 20-30 minutes.

Seriously, I think these people could go on much, much longer as they love to talk, and share their views on things.