Which technologies will have an impact on your life in 2009 and beyond? Here are seven trends and products that will shape the future of tech as we know it...

Windows 7

After monumentally flubbing its massive lead in the OS market with the widely panned Windows Vista, Microsoft is looking to quickly retrench and release a successor to Windows XP that’s more worthy of actual use. Currently known as Windows 7, a Vista follow-up is planned for early 2010, but many are already expecting little more than a Vista rehash.


4G

It seems like 3G cellular service just got here, but 4G is already in the works. Competing standards are now in development: LTE (championed by Verizon but a long way off) and WiMax (championed by Sprint and already in early tests) are the key technologies headed to market. Major rollouts aren’t likely to begin before 2011 at the earliest.


Wireless USB

A short-range wireless standard, Wireless USB has slowly been making inroads into consumer gear, but few see it as any better than the well-established Bluetooth technology, which is easier to use and about as fast. More Wireless USB gadgets are on the way, but the standard isn’t expected to make much of a splash anytime soon.


Graphics power

Multicore CPUs in laptops have taken off in a major way, and vendors are now looking at ways to increase the graphics performance of traditionally slow notebook PCs. One advance coming next year: CPUs with better graphics built right into the chip.


Mobile video

With more bandwidth available to cell-phone users, 2009–2010 might finally see technologies like mobile videoconferencing and live, mobile TV, really take flight. Of course, all bets are off until Apple offers these features on the iPhone.


Location-based services

The appearance of GPS in an increasing variety of products means that using your phone, laptop and even your camera to interact with the world will become increasingly possible and commonplace. For a taste of what’s to come, check out the GeoPedia application for the iPhone, which advises you on things to do based on where you’re standing.


Green tech

Another trend on the rise, green technology continues to gain importance in the entire tech sector, as solutions are developed to minimize power consumption, use less packaging and fewer toxic chemicals in production, and improve recycling programs. With oil prices still in the stratosphere, this trend could trump them all.

--C.N.