The document discusses potential communication technologies of the future in 2026 based on current trends. It predicts that by 2026, cars will be able to communicate with people and other cars to drive automatically through technologies like fingerprint activation and conversation (Part I). Internet-enabled glasses are also predicted to be widely adopted once performance issues are addressed and modifications are made (Part II). Fitness shoes that track health data and communicate it to users are seen becoming mainstream based on the growing popularity of wearable devices (Part III). Customizable digital assistants with thousands of voice and gender options are expected to see increased usage through serving more niches (Part IV). Libraries are projected to transition completely to digital formats for book rentals through tablets and e-

1. COMMUNICATION
TECHNOLOGIES IN 2026
PRESENTATION BY BENJAMIN HACHTEN (COMM 303-50)

2. INTRODUCTION: 2016 AND BEYOND
• Why is it that the radio is still widely used over 100 years after its introduction?
• What explains the periodic resurgence and rapid decline of 3D movies?
• How can we predict which innovations will be adopted by mainstream society by 2026?
• The field of communication technology is ever-changing and evolves alongside our everyday
lives.
• The communication technology landscape today is much different than it was in 2006, just 10 years
ago. This will hold true in 2026, as some of the innovations of today will be forgotten or replaced while
others will continue on with modifications.

3. Let’s see what 2026 will look like!

4. PART I: SMARTCARS
• In 2026, cars will possess the technology to communicate with people and other
cars.
• Functions:
• Fingerprint activates lock system and starts car.
• SmartCars “talk” with other cars to drive automatically, parallel park, etc.
• Communicate with humans to optimize in-car experience.
• Example: upon entering the car, it asks the human user which radio station to turn to.

5. THE EVIDENCE: WHY SMARTCARS?
• Since 2010, Google has been test-driving cars that have the capability to drive
themselves.
• Potentially much safer than human-
controlled vehicles
• Potential for less traffic congestion, as
these cars can drive closer together due
to 360 degree awareness.
• Reduced fuel consumption.

6. EXPLANATION: DIFFUSION OF
INNOVATIONS
• Innovation: A communication technology is perceived as new.
• People must perceive that the innovation has a relative advantage over what is
currently being used.
• SmartCars are currently in the innovation stage, because Google and other companies
are persuading innovators and engineers of the possibilities of this technology.
• Once this technology is adopted by the innovators (risk takers), it will be diffused to
the early adopters, the early majority, the late majority, and the final group, the
laggards.
• This graphic displays the stages of Everett Rogers’ Diffusion of Innovations.

7. PART II: INTERNET-ENABLED GLASSES
• Currently, there are glasses equipped with Internet capabilities (like Google Glass), but
these glasses have not been adopted by mainstream society… yet.
• By 2026, internet-enabled glasses will be widely used.
• Functions:
• Internet capabilities, such as social media network access.
• Adaptable to the user’s preferences and search history.
• Ability to watch live television and web streaming services.
• Talk-to-type messaging ability.
• Powerful camera

8. THE EVIDENCE
• Google and Microsoft both released
glasses that are equipped with Internet
capabilities, along with a camera,
Bluetooth, and 16 GB storage.
• Despite a slow start in sales, significant
growth is projected in the coming years.
• Once performance issues are worked out
and modifications are made, the glasses
are expected to increase in popularity.

9. EXPLANATION: CRITICAL MASS THEORY
• Many ideas and innovations are subject to a slow launch period, and it takes time
for them to reach a critical mass (often called the tipping point).
• Typically need between 5% and 25% of the population to adopt an idea or innovation
for it to reach the critical mass.
• When an innovation reaches the critical mass or tipping point, it has been adopted by
mainstream society and will continue to spread.
• With gradual increases in sales, Google Glass and other
similar products will reach a critical mass and will be
adopted by mainstream society.

10. PART III: FITSHOES
• You’ve seen and heard of the FitBit, along with other wearable devices that track fitness levels,
calories, and more.
• By 2026, shoes will be equipped with the same technology and will be able to communicate
information to users.
• Functions:
• Built-in scale that tracks weight and BMI daily.
• Sends messages and workout reminders to user’s smartphone throughout the day.
• More sensitive to movement than wrist monitors.
• Communicate fitness information with friends and family to increase sense of competition.

11. EVIDENCE
• Today, 1 out of every 5 people in
America owns a wearable fitness
device.
• Current devices are adequate for
communicating health and fitness
information to users.
• But shoes are the next step in health
communication, as they will be able to
perform tasks that the current devices
cannot.

12. EXPLANATION: USES AND GRATIFICATIONS THEORY
• This theory states that people use media and devices for practicality (uses) and
gratification.
• There are a variety of needs and gratification categories that explain why people choose to
use certain types of communication technologies.
• The social integrative need, or the need to socialize, explains why FitShoes, with their ability
to communicate competitive fitness information with friends and family, will be adopted by
mainstream society by 2026.
• The affective need, which includes emotions, pleasure, and moods, also explains why
FitShoes will be widely used by 2026.
• Fitness devices that communicate fitness and health behavior to users enhance feelings of
achievement and motivation.

13. PART IV: CUSTOMIZABLE DIGITAL
ASSISTANTS
• Currently, smartphone and computer digital assistants, such as Siri and Cortana,
are given female voices and created to fulfill (at least subconsciously) traditional
gender roles.
• By 2026, there will be thousands of voice and gender options for smartphone and
computer digital assistants.
• Functions:
• Users can customize the voice and gender of their digital assistants.
• Voices will represent the diverse nationalities of the United States, as well as the rest of the
world.
• Communication between the user and digital assistants will be more authentic as
technology advances.

14. THE EVIDENCE
• People may not feel comfortable with the current voice and gender options for
smartphone and computer digital assistants.
• Providing more options will be a necessity for companies if they want to keep
their digital assistants relevant and optimize system performance and
communication.
• Doing so will increase the amount and ways in which digital assistants are used by
people in their daily lives.

15. EXPLANATION: THE THEORY OF THE LONG
TAIL
• New communication technologies are giving users access to more niche content
as our culture and economy strays further and further away from “hits” and
moves towards a huge number of niches in the tail.
• Digital assistants like Siri and Cortana have not been widespread “hits” because they
do not occupy multiple niches.
• Taken by itself, a digital assistant with one voice and gender option might be
selectively used.
• But with thousands of options, the aggregate will mean a significant jump in popularity
across the board.

16. PART V: DIGITAL LIBRARIES
• 2026: Libraries will still be around, but all books will be in digital format.
• To rent a book, you simply go to the library and download a digital copy of a
book onto your tablet or e-reader. After the rental period is over, the book will be
removed from your device when connected to WiFi.
• Functions:
• Libraries gradually replace all hard copies with digital versions.
• Members will be able to choose from millions of options.
• Walls will be converted into digital bookshelves organized by genre.

17. EVIDENCE: WHY PAPERLESS?
• Half of adults in the US own a tablet or e-reader.
• The amount of people who choose to use e-readers is growing annually.
• Digital books are more eco-friendly, and sustainable architecture is growing in
importance.

18. EXPLANATION: THE PRINCIPLE OF
RELATIVE CONSTANCY
• For people to give up one communication technology in favor of another, the
product must be compelling enough for people to adopt it.
• Tablets and e-readers offer users an alternative to books, newspapers, and other
print publications.
• If enough people switch to using these devices permanently, it would make sense
for libraries to adopt this technology as well and replace hard copies with digital
copies.

19. PART VI: OTHER POSSIBLE INNOVATIONS BY
2O16
• Online shopping – Sites like Amazon will send you items based on your past
shopping history and search preferences, and you will have the option of sending
it back or keeping the item.
• Medical Records will be digitalized, and hospitals will share information to
expedite the process. HIPAA laws will have to be changed, but this would make
visits to hospitals more efficient.

20. CONCLUSION
• While the future is never certain, current trends and theoretical frameworks give
us an idea of what the communication technology landscape will look like in
2026.

21. WORKS CITED
• Axon, S. (2010, October 11). Google is testing cars that drive themselves. Retrieved from
http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/innovation/10/11/google.testing.cars.mashable/index.html
• Comstock, J. (2014, October 21). PwC: 1 in 5 Americans owns a wearable, 1 in 10 wears them daily. Retrieved from
http://mobihealthnews.com/37543/pwc-1-in-5-americans-owns-a-wearable-1-in-10-wears-them-daily
• Dotson, K. (2012, February 12). Google’s Internet-enabled Spectacles Will Bring Cyberspace to Your Eyes. Retrieved from
http://siliconangle.com/blog/2012/02/22/googles-internet-enabled-spectacles-will-bring-cyberspace-to-your-eyes/
• Gladwell, M. (2002). The Tipping Point: How Little Things can make a Big Difference. New York: Back Bay Books.
• Grant, A. & Meadows, J. (2014). Communication Technology Update and Fundamentals (14th ed.). Amsterdam: Focal Press/Elsevier.
• Newitz, A. (2015, January 28). Why Is My Digital Assistant So Creepy?. Retrieved from http://gizmodo.com/why-is-my-digital-assistant-
so-creepy-1682216423
• Uses and gratification theory. Communication Theory. Retrieved from http://communicationtheory.org/uses-and-gratification-theory/
• Zickuhr, K. & Rainie, L. (2014, January 16). E-Reading Rises as Device Ownership Jumps. Retrieved from
http://www.pewinternet.org/2014/01/16/e-reading-rises-as-device-ownership-jumps/