IT Confidential: The Future According To Google FutureNews

It's the time of year for prognostication, and what better place to search for tips about the future than everyone's favorite search engine, Google. I just happened to have received a test version of a new tool called Google FutureNews, which lets you search news headlines--by keyword and subject--in the future. Let's give it a whirl.

First, we plug in the year 2006. Then we type in an interesting search phrase: "Oracle Acquisitions." Hit return and let 'er rip!

Results 1 - 10 of about 122,000,000 for Oracle + Acquisitions--2006 [definition] (0.18 seconds)

Oracle Acquires SAP

Oracle solidifies its position as No. 1 application software vendor; CEO Ellison comments, "Redundancy? What redundancy?"

Oracle Acquires Linux

Linus Torvalds named chief software architect; Ellison says, "Welcome to the new Microsoft."

Oracle Acquires California

Gov. Schwarzenegger, employing a little-known budget-reduction statute, wipes out deficit and changes state name to Ellisonland.

Wow, that's interesting. I wonder what we can find out about technology trends a couple of years from now. Let's plug in the year 2008, then type in the search phrase "hot technology." Hit return. Voila!

Results 1 - 10 of about 350,000,000 for Hot + Technology--2008 [definition] (0.25 seconds)

RFID Equals VIP

In the latest fashion-tech craze, New York City nightclubs cater to guests implanted with ID chips.

Apple Intros iPod VR

Apple unveiled 10th iteration of its wildly popular iPod, this one featuring virtual-reality gear.

Cell Phones Play Hide-And-Seek

Cell-phone maker Nokia says it will use nanotechnology to create communication devices invisible to the naked eye.

Let's go really far into the future and see what we can learn about one of today's hot-button issues. Let's plug in the year 2020 and "Privacy." Bingo!

Results 1 - 10 of about 11,000 for Privacy--2020 [definition] (0.03 seconds)

Dictionary Drops "Privacy"

Citing a lack of currency and relevancy, the editors of the American Scholar dictionary have dropped the word "privacy" from the forthcoming edition.

E-Mail-less Man Found in Cascade Mountain Cabin

A man believed to be the last person in the U.S. without an E-mail address was discovered yesterday ...

President Bill Gates Declares May 1 "Alone Day"

Worried about the country's growing dependence on personal-communication devices, President Gates encouraged citizens to spend the day "off the network."

Uh-oh. Maybe it's better not to know certain things about the future. I think I'll return the Google tool and go back to my Magic 8-Ball. It's not fancy, but it always gives me good advice.

Who wants to see into the future anyway? For example, do Cleveland Browns fans really want to know when their team will finally win the Super Bowl? Here's a hint--don't hold your breath. But do send me an industry tip, to [email protected] or phone 516-562-5326.

Want to know what's going to happen in the technology industry? Watch The News Show at noon ET every weekday, at www.TheNewsShow.tv or on information week.com. Take notes.

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