The internet has grown and changed dramatically over the last two decades. What was once a network used by computer scientists to share ideas and data has now become a ubiquitous part of modern life. According to Statista, the number of global internet users reached 3.2 billion in 2017, up from around 360 million in 2000. Internet usage is no longer confined to desktops and laptops—today, we access the internet on our smartphones, tablets, smart speakers, and even televisions. We see the benefits of this constant connectivity every day; services like Netflix and Spotify are only possible because of the widespread availability of ultra-fast broadband networks best online casinos in usa. And with 5G technology set to launch by 2020, our ever-connected digital future is about to get even more connected.
How Has the Internet Changed?
The internet has come a long way from its early days. The modern internet is a massively scalable network that can be accessed from almost anywhere in the world. This is thanks to the TCP/IP protocol, which governs how data is transmitted and received over the internet. TCP/IP works by breaking down data packets into much smaller parts, allowing them to be reassembled at the other end of the connection. This allows networks to expand and contract as needed, and means that internet connectivity can be achieved regardless of the type of network or device used. An internet connection is now as easy as plugging a device into a wall socket, and it’s that ease of access that has allowed the internet to become a central pillar of modern life.
More Wireless Connectivity
As the internet has grown, so too has the demand for wireless connectivity. And while wired internet connections have remained popular, they’ve been overtaken by the growing number of wireless devices. Now, even desktops and laptops have become wireless, with many devices now incorporating Wi-Fi or Bluetooth capabilities. Wireless connectivity has also meant that we no longer need to rely on networks installed in our homes. Instead, we can connect to public networks, like those provided by cafes, hotels, and airports. Thanks to the rise of mobile networks, we can now use the internet almost anywhere—whether that’s on the way to work, in the park, or even on vacation. Computer usage has become much more mobile, and this has been reflected in the rise of apps. Apps are now the norm, whether that’s ordering food, booking travel, or even managing finances. All of this has been made possible by the increased availability of Wi-Fi, and more public networks are expected to follow suit with growing demand casino canada online.
Voice-Controlled Assistants
With computer usage becoming increasingly mobile, digital assistants have become a staple part of modern life. Consumers can now use their voice to control a range of smart devices, including thermostats, lighting, and even appliances. And as the internet of things becomes a bigger part of our daily lives, the importance of these smart assistants will only grow. Now, assistants like Amazon’s Alexa and Google Assistant are available on a wide range of devices. And with voice technology expected to grow by 50% over the next two years, digital assistants are set to become even more ubiquitous. This is thanks to the development of new technologies like artificial neural networks, which allow computers to learn, analyse data, and make decisions without being programmed. Basically, these networks allow computers to process information in a way that is similar to how humans think. This can be applied to the development of smart assistants, which will be able to learn more about their users and respond to commands more accurately.
Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality
Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are two technologies that are set to become increasingly important as the internet grows. AR can be used to add digital imagery and data to the real world around us. This means that we can incorporate computer-generated images into our daily lives, whether that’s in the form of navigation apps that show us how to get from A to B, or product design tools that allow us to create 3D models. Virtual reality is similar, but it immerses users in a computer-generated world and blocks out the real world around them. VR has been applied to various industries, helping trainees to experience dangerous situations without putting themselves at risk. Likewise, VR has also been used in the healthcare sector, allowing surgeons in different locations to work together on the same patient. VR has also been applied to gaming, with VR headsets becoming increasingly accessible over the last few years. This has led to the rise of VR esports, where gamers compete against each other in VR tournaments.
Autonomous Cars and Drone Deliveries
Autonomous cars are expected to become more popular as the internet expands and more people rely on internet-enabled vehicles. However, the widespread adoption of autonomous cars is expected to be slow and steady. Autonomous car technology has already been deployed in vehicles in some countries. Although these cars are not yet fully autonomous and rely on a constant connection to other computers, the expectation is that autonomous vehicles will become increasingly common as the internet expands. Similarly, drone deliveries are expected to become more commonplace as more people shop online. Again, the number of drone deliveries is expected to increase as the internet continues to expand. This increased reliance on the internet means that more effort is being put into securing and protecting online data. This has led to the rise of cybersecurity and cyber defense, a new industry that is expected to grow significantly over the next decade.
The Bottom Line
The internet has grown and changed dramatically over the last two decades. What was once a network used by computer scientists to share ideas and data has now become a ubiquitous part of modern life. And as the internet continues to grow, we can expect to see dramatic changes in how we use the internet, and what it’s capable of.
