Technology & Innovation — December 27, 2011

How the Internet will Change in 2012

A $200 Google tablet, 1 billion Facebook users, Twitter a huge business, and mobile advertising booming. Next year should bring more than all this, says Business Insider Intelligence.

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What’s the Latest Development?

Internet industry research service Business Insider Intelligence peeks into 2012 and, among other things, predicts Google will release a $200 tablet; Facebook will hit 1 billion users; Twitter will build a huge business; Amazon will post serious losses but enjoy outstanding revenue growth; vertical, entertaimnent-focused Ecommerce companies will get huge; and mobile advertising will finally take off.

What’s the Big Idea?

After years in ‘harvesting’ mode Amazon is back in ‘investing’ mode, writes Pascal-Emmanuel Gobry. “Jeff Bezos realizes he is looking at some massive opportunities: building a complete digital media distribution ecosystem; building the biggest cloud platform of the 21st century; and, last but not least, eating retail.”

Image: shutterstock.com

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The Future

Philosopher Nick Bostrom’s predictions on life in an AI utopia

Big Think recently spoke with Nick Bostrom about how humans might find fulfillment in a post-scarcity world.

View of a cityscape through a large glass window framed by steel beams, showcasing high-rise buildings burdened with debt under an overcast sky.

The Present

How we all got into debt

Consumer debt shapes American lives so thoroughly that it seems eternal and immortal, but it’s actually relatively new to the financial world.

Three men looking at a smartphone and laughing, embodying everyday philosophy, with two faded figures and a sketch of a thinker with a question mark.

Thinking

Everyday Philosophy: “Should I disinvite my bigoted friend from group trips?”

You've got to know when to fight and when to laugh.

A black and white image of Isaiah Berlin.

Business

Do you try to avoid your boss? For Isaiah Berlin that’s a big problem

Leadership evasion might seem like a plan for workplace freedom but it isn't a good thing — it's a denial of opportunity.

Starts With A Bang

How the cosmic microwave background proves the Big Bang

In the 20th century, many options abounded as to our cosmic origins. Today, only the Big Bang survives, thanks to this critical evidence.

Up Next

Surprising Science

What to Expect in Tech in 2025

Augmented reality will be mainstream, digital assistants will guide our every move, everything will be translated on the fly, we'll use digital scrolls. What else will 2025 bring?