The Future of Communication Technology in 2026

Kimberly Hudson

“Technology is a useful servant but a dangerous master.”

- Christian Lous Lange

“The next 10 years in car tech will make the last 30 look like just a warm-up.”

- Alexander Kalogianni

Future of Vehicles

• Vehicles will become autonomous and able to drive themselves. Alleviating human control of vehicles will allow for less accidents and possibly reduce traffic build up.• They will fly! Not only will vehicles be able to self navigate, but you’ll be able to take off from your driveway and have it park itself.• Vehicles computer systems will be able to communicate with one another as well as other objects using sensors and transmitters. By doing this, they will be able to “keep an eye” on the road, other vehicles, speed limits, etc.

Future of Digital Assistants• Digital assistants will be able to predict the

consumer’s behavior, needs, and desires.

• Through sensors, the consumers phone and other daily devices will be able to communicate with one another, aiding the consumer’s decisions.

• Digital assistants will begin transitioning into becoming autonomous digital assistant robots.

• Due to the increased usage and need for digital assistants, the cost to obtain one will decrease.

• Communication between consumer and digital assistant will be much more easy. As the digital assistant will be able to understand and adapt to the consumer.

Innovation Adoption Rate• Moore’s Innovation Adoption Rate theory take Roger’s Diffusion of Innovation’s

model and expands it, by explaining how quickly technological innovations are adopted through the stages of consumerism.

• An example of Moore’s Innovation Adoption Rate theory would be personal assistants. During the innovation spectrum, not many consumers knew how to utilize the technology. And the technology itself was extremely limited. But, over the years, and into 2026 I believe the desire for personal assistant technology will gain momentum.

Future of Television• Televisions will be

much more thin and sleek with larger screens.

• Mainstream television shows will downfall, and in its place will be more on-demand/streaming types of programing systems, similar to Netflix and other applications.

• As television shows begin their downward spiral, the Internet will be taking over for television usage.

• Television graphics are to become much more lifelike. It’s expected, like video games, the viewer will have trouble figuring out whether they are looking at something real, or their television screen.

• Wires will be ditched! You will be able to hang your television to the wall without the spider web of cords hanging out the back.

Future of Video Games

• Games and gaming consoles will be brought into the classroom. This will be done so in order to better help teach lessons by teachers. They will also replace the “archaic” way in which homework and assessments are assigned and completed.

• You won’t be able to tell the difference between the game and reality, as the graphics are going to make the distinction, indistinguishable.

• Consoles will have the ability to be able to project “holographic” games into a room while allowing more than one player to participate.

• Console controllers will have become more user oriented, allowing the game to be controlled via voice and motion.

Uses and Gratifications Theory• The Uses and Gratifications Theory explains peoples most innate needs and how they

are connected to media.

• People want to feel connected, due to our need for communication.

• People also need outlets for which they can relax and unwind after a hard day.

• Media is also an outlet for people to gain more information and knowledge. Being utilized as an educational tool.

• Video games are a wonderful technology that puts all of these needs together. They can be used as an educational tool. They can be used in a sense that consumers are able to communicate with one another through headsets and keyboards. And they can also be used as a tension relief tool, helping the consumer unwind and decompress.

Future of Radios• Radio/Analog boxes and traditional/terrestrial radio stations will become extinct.• People will lean more towards streaming their favorite music or talk shows through

applications versus listening to AM/FM static prone channels.• Radio towers will no longer be around. Instead, the speakers of radio will be

connected to the Internet.• Due to the increase in individuals being forced to stream and download applications

in order to listen to music, the cost of streaming companies will lessen. • Radio will become “visually social,” as

customers will be able to log into the Internet and actually watch the podcast/song take place. By doing this, people will also be able to set up what they want on their “playlists” as well as chat/talk to their favorite radio personality.

Future of Telephones

• Landline telephones will be inexistent, leaving consumers to primarily utilize their mobile phones.

• Mobile phones will be more flexible, allowing the phone to become more durable, portable, and even wearable.

• Mobile phones will be able to better collect data about the consumer, transfer information to the intended digital assistant, and generally give the consumer a better experience.• Due to the wear ability of the new mobile phone design, the phones technology will better be able to monitor the consumer’s health.

• Battery life in mobile phones has improved. The batteries last longer and recharge more quickly.

• Instead of just facetiming or Skyping your friends and family, mobile phones will have the capability to project holograms to both parties.

Diffusion of Innovation Theory• Diffusion of Innovation Theory, developed by E.M. Rogers, examines the process in

which technology and the communication of spreads among groups of people.

• First, you have your “Innovators” as well as “Early Adopters.” This class of people are always wanting to look for and try the next new thing. In the middle of the bell curve, you have your “Early Majority” and “Late Majority” classes. The early class tends to be more talkative and social, therefore the technologies new information is spread more quickly. The late class tends to be made up of your skeptics. Those who will watch and learn about the new technology first. And the last class of diffused individuals are the “Laggards.” Laggards don’t tend to adopt new and innovative technologies.

• This theory helps break down the groups of individuals who buy mobile phones. And by better understanding these diffusion groups, companies can better market and advertise their products towards each section.

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