Project 2000 Video - Apple Computer (1988)

In 1988 Apple produced this video to accompany its very cool Project 2000 competition. The short video showcases different machines and features that Apple saw as just around the corner. Though Project 2000 was a student competition, this video doesn't show the winning team nor their Apple tablet of the future; rather we hear Steve Wozniak, Alvin Toffler, Alan Kay, Diane Ravitch, and Ray Bradbury talk about their hopes for the computer devices of the future.

While I wince a little seeing the techno-reactionary and future-shocker Alvin Toffler talking about how great it would be to read books in any language -- isn't this the guy who wants the future to slow down?-- it's really cool to see Wozniak's enthusiasm for the personal computer revolution.

The implication of this much computing power at a very affordable cost is partly one of those because of the fact it is so radically different than anything we could have ever expected. Where the very hugest super-computers of my lifetime, early in my lifetime, are now equalled by inexpensive personal computers that you can buy everywhere and anyone can own. It's like you can't even say where this is going to go.

Thanks to Tim Carmondy for pointing me to this great video.

Previously on Paleo-Future:

• Project 2000 - Apple Computer (1988)
• Apple Computer in 1997 (1987)
• Apple's Grey Flannel Navigator (1988)
• Apple's Knowledge Navigator (1987)
• The Disease of the Future (1970)
• Future Shock (1972)

Flowers by Alice (Part 2, 1992)

Part 2 of the US West concept video Flowers by Alice features the business tools of the future. Voice recognition technology seemed to be very popular in concept videos of this era.

See also:
Flowers by Alice (Part 1, 1992)

Flowers by Alice (Part 1, 1992)

The 1992 US West concept video Flowers by Alice features themes and products similar to that of Accenture's Vision and AT&T's Connections, both produced in 1993. This clip from Flowers by Alice introduces us to the main characters as well as two emerging technologies.

The skyway's backed up but the bullet train is moving right on schedule.

See also:
Vision (Clip 1, 1993)
Vision (Clip 2, 1993)
Vision (Clip 3, 1993)
Connections: AT&T's Vision of the Future (1993)
Writer and Producer of Connections: AT&T's Vision of the Future

Vision (Clip 3, 1993)

Clip 3 from the 1993 concept video Vision, produced by Andersen Consulting, shows us what the portable communications device of the future could look like. I'm pretty sure you could kill an elephant with that tablet she's holding.

See also:
Vision (Clip 1, 1993)
Vision (Clip 2, 1993)
Connections: AT&T's Vision of the Future (1993)
Writer and Producer of Connections: AT&T's Vision of the Future
Tablet Newspaper (1994)

Vision (Clip 2, 1993)

This clip from the 1993 concept video Vision demonstrates why the videophone has never caught on.

There is nothing communicated between the characters that necessitates visuals. If the best application of videophone technology you can think of is proving that helicopters exist, there probably isn't a pressing need for the technology.

See also:
Vision (Clip 1, 1993)
Connections: AT&T's Vision of the Future (1993)
Writer and Producer of Connections: AT&T's Vision of the Future
The Road Ahead: Future Homes (1995)
Starfire (1994)
Apple's Grey Flannel Navigator (1988)
Apple's Knowledge Navigator (1987)
AT&T "You Will" (1993)

Vision (Clip 1, 1993)

In 1993 Andersen Consulting (now known as Accenture) created a concept video called Vision, which demonstrated the communications possibilities of the future. The clip below shows us a universal language translator, digital personal assistants, a tablet, as well as the pervasive videophone culture we were supposed to see by now.

(Thanks to the iSight camera on my Mac, the barcode scanner shown at the beginning of the video is essentially a reality. I'd be a little surprised if we didn't see barcode applications for all of our mobile phones soon.)

See also:
Connections: AT&T's Vision of the Future (1993)
Writer and Producer of Connections: AT&T's Vision of the Future
The Road Ahead: Future Homes (1995)
Starfire (1994)
Apple's Grey Flannel Navigator (1988)
Apple's Knowledge Navigator (1987)
AT&T "You Will" (1993)

Starfire (Part 4, 1994)

Part 4 of the Starfire video looks at the possibilities of media creation without shooting new scenes with new actors.

See also:
Starfire (Part 1, 1994)
Starfire (Part 2, 1994)
Starfire (Part 3, 1994)
Connections: AT&T's Vision of the Future (1993)
Apple's Knowledge Navigator (1987)
Apple's Grey Flannel Navigator (1988)