At Angel Publishing, a large part of the work we do involves researching upcoming groundbreaking technology. We are constantly searching for the “next Apple” or the “next Google.”
Of course, we do this because we’re always searching for the next big investment opportunity. But we’re also searching for on-the-verge technological developments that have the potential to change the world we live in.
Every morning, I turn on my computer and begin the process, relentlessly sifting through the news. Every morning, without fail, I am astounded by the things I find.
Sometimes I have to stop and ask myself, “How did we get here?”
I see wireless charging, cures for major illnesses, cars that drive themselves, clothes that communicate with your body, and technology that will soon be able to stop the process of aging. (Believe me, this is just a handful of examples.)
I’m not the only one who should be surprised. Technology has repeatedly defied predictions, even in the last few decades.
It makes me think of the story about one record label that in 1962 told the Beatles they would have no future in show business: “Groups are out. Four-piece groups with guitars, particularly, are finished.”
The Beatles really showed them, huh?
Or the old urban legend that Bill Gates once said, “640K ought to be enough for anybody.”
Let’s consider Bill Gates for a moment. As one of the world’s most famous technology figures, wealthiest men, and most prominent philanthropists, Gates is consistently in the spotlight.
No one can deny Gates’ talents or skills in the technology sector.
Unfortunately, Bill really shouldn’t add “prognosticating” to his resume anytime soon.
He understandably denies this statement, as well as his other claim that “We will never create a 32-bit operating system.”
Unfortunately, his denials don’t change the fact that his name is attached to a handful of laughable prediction blunders.
With today’s software, 640K of memory would be enough to power up your computer, perform a simple calculator function, and then power down.
Even something as simple as a current web browser would be unusable.
With the variety of intensive software that people use in their homes every day, even a 32-bit processor can’t provide room for all the action to happen.
By now, his alleged statements have turned into anecdotal expressions about how quickly and dramatically the technology world evolves every day.
In honor of mind-blowing innovation, let’s take a look at some other times technology really stuck it to the man and proceeded to advance our society beyond all expectations.
“A rocket will never be able to leave Earth’s atmosphere.” — The New York Times, 1936
This one has been repeatedly disproven by the geniuses over at NASA, and the fact that rockets (and humans) have left the Earth’s atmosphere is not news.
However, I’m still going to include this prediction blunder in honor of the EmDrive thruster.
NASA left our atmosphere in 1969, and unless you’re one to follow grandiose conspiracy theories, you will agree that Neil Armstrong did, in fact, walk on the moon.
NASA has accomplished quite a bit since the moon landing.
Just last week, it defied all fundamental laws of physics.
One writer at Digital Trends says, “Isaac Newton should be sweating.”
NASA’s EmDrive uses magnetron and microwaves to create propellantless propulsion.
Engineer Paul March told reporters that although he cannot reveal much, the EmDrive showed signs of “anomalous thrust signals.”
Newton’s conservation of momentum says that within a closed system, linear and angular momentum remain constant regardless of any changes that take place within that system.
What does all this science lingo mean?
Basically, unless my cat pushes that glass of water off the kitchen counter, the glass is going to stay on that counter.
Newton also says, “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.”
Stick with me here…
When we turn the key in our vehicle’s ignition, there is combustion in the engine that causes the propulsion of that vehicle.
The EmDrive does not require such a reaction, meaning it doesn’t require fuel. Aside from defying the principles our society has been relying on for hundreds of years, it makes the EmDrive lighter and able to travel farther.
It can reach speeds that could hypothetically move humans to the ends of the solar system in a matter of months.
As it stands right now, a trip to Mars takes about 300 days — and that’s even when the planet is at its closest to Earth.
With the EmDrive, we could get to the Moon in just a few hours and to Mars in just a few months.
What was once deemed impossible has just become possible.
EmDrive technology is the key to interstellar travel.
“There’s no chance that the iPhone is going to get any significant market share. No chance.” — Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer
Although the iPhone is still second to Android devices in regards to market share, the two have been neck and neck for some time now.
Android devices account for 52% of the smartphone software market in the United States, with Apple software consistently hovering around 44%.
Sure, Apple isn’t in the lead in regards to operating systems. (However, 44% seems like a significant share to me, so we can still say Mr. Ballmer was mistaken.)
When it comes to hardware and devices, though, the iPhone remains number one with a strong lead at 43.6%.
Samsung, LG, and Motorola bring up the rear with 27.6%, 8.3%, and 4.9%, respectively.
In this department, Apple’s dominance is clear.
In fact, its dominance is clear across other indices as well. To start, Apple is the largest company to ever exist.
Globally, more than 500 iPhones are sold every minute.
Apple’s quarterly earnings are more than that of the subsequent eight companies combined, and the company’s market cap is 1/25th the entire United States GDP.
All of this essentially depends on the iPhone.
Although some analysts have voiced doubts about the sustainability, that’s not stopping thousands of people from camping out in front of Apple store’s across the world, waiting with bated breath for the release of new iPhone models.
Thanks to record iPhone sales, Apple surpassed Exxon’s 2008 record to achieve $53.4 billion in profits last year. This is the largest annual profit in corporate history.
Even in China — Apple’s largest market — iPhone sales remained strong despite economic turbulence in the country.
CEO Tim Cook says, “Looking at our sales trends I wouldn’t know there’s an economic issue at all in China.”
Another Microsoft CTO declared in 1997 that “Apple is already dead.”
If that’s the case, then I can’t wait for the afterlife.
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