Hopefully huge subwoofers... you buy these fancy sound systems with teeny tiny speakers and teeny tiny receivers but still end up with a gigantic sub that doesn't fit in your plasma unit.

Game systems like Xbox, Nintendo, etc. They are releasing the Steam Machine this year which allows all sorts of games to be streamed to your TV set and played.

Everybody thought when CDs came out the turntable would be obsolete but we know so many audiophiles that have kept their records and play them as often as CD including my husband and I. I love the idea of the Steam my grandkids have more stuff piled in my media room for when they visit, heaven forbid if they would have to live without.

Patricia, I think there will always be those who cling to older technologies for various reasons. My grandparents still used a Betamax vcr which we recently took down after they passed away. Some people hung onto those because the resolution was better than VHS, but for my grandparents it was because they knew how to use it and had so many tapes for it that they didn't want to have to re-invest the money to replace all those tapes with a different format, plus they didn't want to have to get familiar with a whole new set of commands to work a new system.

I still have a stack of vinyl records - but no player. Held onto them because I have been unable to find some of them re-released onto CD. My grandmother had a great collection of fun records in 78 and the newer record players I've seen for sale don't have that speed!

Midmodfan. Agree with you abt wires, not to diss my hubby who spent some time this weekend getting all these wires into one remote. However as a fan of mid mod, too....there were several years, maybe decades that mid mod was shunned, sold, remodeled, handed down. I did make it clear to my daughter that she couldn't sell my "egg chairs", she would have to return them to me, if she didn't want them. She recovered them and still great.

I think that as we get more reliant on our electronics we will get even more wire in our lives. We will probably go through a phase where we get rid of the wire and find out the hard way that wire is way more reliable. Then wire will come back with a vengeance.
#lindline

We gave up our landline a few years ago and have never looked back. :)

Yes, the wires, the cords, it's a huge jumbled mess and looks horrid as whirlwyn pointed out with a pic! My hubby usually wire ties them together every few inches or we have purchased those flexible tubes that are slit along one side to smoosh all the cords into.

Mine are a jumbled, dusty, dog hairy, push'em out of the way mess when vacuuming. There are more cords than ever with all the chargers and electronics in every room. How are you not going to have wires, folks, if you've got lamps and chargers and such? I've got to have a coffee maker and I'm not an electrician either so I may be out of luck!!!

Are you kidding, hubby still has the 8 track in the garage and its replacement sound system with cassettes and CD Player collecting dust and stacks of magazine in our room next to iDock /clock. At least he plays the 8track when working the garage. Yes we still have a landline. They are more reliable in natural disasters. The convenience of on line shopping will never out weigh real retail therapy for me!
I hope new technology will be less space and energy eating in the homes of the future. Maybe trendy resorts will offer electronic free rooms to escape our modern obsessions.

I personally can't wait for a cordless hairdryer and straightener so my bathroom hasn't got wires everywhere

Angelina..that is a genius idea!

WIRES. I hate the look of wires strewn across the house. Charging stations are a way of handling it today, but I think this will eventually become built into the wall where you can charge your items without having to drag around the cable with you everywhere. Electronics manufacturers just need to get on board and make a universal adaptor!!

We will always have power supplies as long as we have electricity, so you might as well start figuring out how to hide the cords. Once you figure that out, the other cables hide the same place and problem solved. HDMI is a big improvement over L+R+Yellow/RGB - combining to a single cable helps a lot.

Ethernet cables will be fewer, shorter, and farther between, replaced by wifi. Desktops, if not laptops, will be fewer as well.

DVDs are on the way out, and I haven't touched a CD in years except to rip a new one to my library, since when you buy from a band's merch booth (support musicians!), that's how they come. iPods are incredible.

To reproduce bass you gotta move air, moving air requires a driver, a driver needs mass to push against. Subs are here to stay. As far as keeping them hidden, subs are a big improvement over the big ol' white cone line-source cabinets of back in the day, because it decouples bass from treble and you can hide that sub while the channel speakers get tiny. The art of hiding subs will probably improve, and they will no longer be so prevalent in the space.

Man, I miss my line-source speakers though. They were like furniture.

I, for one, will always have actual, physical books.

had lots of wires but after my son came we cut back to just one taped to the floor

HI Emily,

This is a fun thread, last post was nearly 5 years ago exactly, time for an update!

For us it isn't so much what we don't see, but what we now see.

Everyone was 100% correct, we pretty much have all our wires hidden, we built a home run cabinet. Visual wires equals clutter.

"Alexa" and other AI has invaded our home, to the point this is where much, if not all of our information is stored, gathered and accessed.

Security cameras and doorbell cameras are now the norm.

None of us have given up our laptops or TV's, but very few people we know still had a clunky desktop.

Landlines, we DO have one, (internet, not a hardwired) that I love using when making "important phone calls."

Speakers-this is an on-going battle, hubs is an audiophile and purist.

Would love to hear others chime in on this after 5 years!

What's changed for you?

Actually not too much has changed in 5 years! I expected Jetsons stuff by now LOL. We haven’t had a landline since 2010 I think. We do have Ring and wireless cameras outside. We tried Alexa but I gave her to my sister, too annoying. Still no wireless hair dryer, that would be nice! I do have the Dyson hair dryer and absolutely love it!

This is a fun thread to resurrect after five years. I must be one of the few that still wants and uses and a desktop though.

The Dyson stick vac has virtually replaced my expensive Siemens canister. So much nicer without the cord getting in the way. Plus, it does a great job.

Cool trip to the past! In my own home:

- Home phone outlets -- ditched ours long ago

- Computers and laptops -- nope, we have three iPads, which are rarely used. I think it's because it's harder to type on an iPad. My husband is hanging onto his desktop, and he's sad that it's probably going to be his last one.

- Cable TV -- yep, ditched for cheaper options

- Dressers and chests in bedrooms -- nah, we still have them, but it's because our closets aren't big enough to store all our clothing. I don't think this is a "moving foward" thing so much as a size-of-your-house thing.

- Most retail physical site stores -- no way. Yes, some are gone, but most are still going strong. Too many people don't have credit cards with which to shop online and/or aren't willing to wait for things to come in the mail.

- DVDs or CDs -- We still like DVDs, but we're not buying CDs.

- Hopefully huge subwoofers -- yes, being married to an engineer, I'm glad smaller speakers have replaced them.

- Game systems like Xbox, Nintendo, etc. They are releasing the Steam Machine
this year which allows all sorts of games to be streamed to your TV set and played. -- Nope. My gaming daughter still loves her ... oh, I forget what it is. My son-in-law just got a new game system. I hear my students talking about Play Station and such all the time.

- Wires -- no shortage of wires around my house.

- Cordless hairdryer and straightener -- not likely; things that produce heat will pretty much always need to be plugged in. They use much more energy than batteries can reasonably produce.

- Wires /charging station -- we already have this. Check out Charger Pads on Amazon. They look like coasters, and you just set your phone on it.

- Security cameras -- disagree that they're the norm. Maybe in new builds, but my daughter /son-in-law are the only people I know who actually have one.

- The Dyson stick vac -- I so want one! And I love my Roomba.

Sometimes, the old becomes new again. I wandered into the local outlet of a national electronics chain the other day. They sell the usual stuff - TVs, computers, mobile phones, stereo equipment - so they are not a specialist audiophile store by any stretch. I was therefore quite startled to see something like 20 different turntables on display, and not the junk ones either. These were good brands - Marantz, Pioneer, Audio Technika, Pro Ject - ranging in price from a few hundred bucks to well over a thousand. The last time I was in the store, a year ago, they had 4, and 3 were cheapos. So, I guess people with a real ear for music have realized that some older technologies were and are simply superior acoustically to newer ones, even if it takes more effort to manage a library of LPs than a collection from Pandora.

This is a bit funny because my tech setup now is... not really that different than in 2014. We've added a couple new game consoles and laptop (which runs Win7 because I hate Win10), but none of that is paradigm shifting, just faster shinier versions of the same tech. TV is the same (a secondhand plasma screen that's held up quite well) and sound systen is the same. Still no iPad or any IoT/"smart home" devices - not interested in an oversized iPhone when I already have a regular-sized one (and a laptop), also not interested in being an early adopter of immature, gimmicky tech with even more immature device security.

I might sound like a crotchety old person, but I'm actually a millennial with a tech job.

This is a fun thread! Since 2014 we now have our thermostat and all our lights controllable from my phone/alexa. It is really fun and futuristic feeling to talk to your lights! We also got rid of cable and got a giant 86" 4k smart TV. Once we get our Sonos Amps working with our playbar and built in speakers, there will be no need to go to the movies.

Computer/phone wise, nothing has changed. Hubby still uses our PS4 daily to play video games. He also still has a desktop, but that is more of a personal problem than a reflection of technology.

Well, the prediction about land lines, cable and CDs/DVDs was correct. The wire issue is still a problem :(

It is interesting to hear from queenvictorian that she wouldn't have any "smart" electronics in her home. I wouldn't go near that with a 10-ft pole--you always have someone else in your home watching and monitoring everything you do. Big Brother and all.

Do you know why you should keep a land line?

"For many Americans, the ability to call 911 for help in an emergency is one of the main reasons they own a wireless phone. While wireless phones can be an important public safety tool, they also create unique challenges for emergency response personnel and wireless service providers. Since wireless phones are mobile, they are not associated with one fixed location or address. While the location of the cell site closest to the 911 caller may provide a general indication of the caller's location, that information is not always specific enough for rescue personnel to deliver assistance to the caller quickly.”

^^^ I've been trying to talk hubs into a landline (which probably wouldn't add much cost to our cable package) now that we own a home. Would be nice to have a backup way to making calls, and a number to give people that's not our mobile numbers.

Also, my mobile number is from my area code of origin rather than the one I currently occupy, so that sometimes causes confusion - one time when I called customer service for something I got routed to a west coast call center based on my area code and they were very confused when I gave them a PA address.

As for not wanting IoT devices, there are no privacy standards, so it's either China or Amazon collecting information about me it shouldn't. I'll do smart home devices when I can have them on a self-hosted intranet via server in my basement and not "the cloud" where I can't control what the devices do with the data they gather.

Re: Steam Machine: totally forgot that this was a thing. I don't know anyone who wanted one of these things or owns/owned one. The thing about a video game console, especially one that provides online multiplayer, you need to have a critical mass of your friends and people in general owning one, and these new consoles (the Steam one and the other one from Kickstarter) never got that because the other consoles are so well established. Also, I'm fine playing any Steam games on my computer. Don't need more consoles on top of our PlayStations and Nintendos.

judyG Designs

You are 100% correct per hard wired landline!

My story? The blackout of 2003, living in my studio on the Upper East Side of Manhattan

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northeast_blackout_of_2003

Technology was still very new, we all had flip phones that were useless, people were lined up at payphones but if you were not calling another landline (mind you, your answering machine doesn't work now) with another human being at the other end answering said landline, you were screwed.

My huge, tired old laptop had enough battery in it that I was able to use AOL Dial-Up via my landline, slowly get on the internet, and send a mass email to everyone letting them know everything was fine.

BTW, this was one of the most fun times we ever had in NYC. Everyone was out on the sidewalks, grilling out, having cocktails, all the musicians brought out their instruments and we had a huge sing a long, thousands of people, we all had so much fun.

Still have a landline for the Sky box and internet ..as for wires you should see hubby's bat cave ! we both still use PCs ..he has a pad ...we both have mobile phones but not fancy ones ..the VCR and CD players have long gone

Mrs. Pete,

I LOVE my "cordless broom," popping it out after dinner makes clean up a pure joy.

In 60 seconds I whiz through the main living areas, there is no way this would happen with a traditional cord vacuum or even an old school broom and dust pan.

It is neatly tucked behind a door while constantly charging.

The day it breaks, it will be replaced within 24 hours, you can bet on it.

Such a fun topic! I pretty much only use a tablet at home. At work I am on a desktop ( gaming strength ) computer for the design programs we use... plus it is nice to have a large screen to show clients their projects.

I still have my landline - it is the same number for over 40 yrs! Plus I can give that out for surveys or solicitations or other things that ask for a number and keep my cell phone for me.

I still have wires... Not a fan of all the wireless signals... have read some articles about the safety of all of that.

I remember briefly seeing a phone that could project whatever you were streaming onto a wall, but I don't know if that really caught on, so I think we will have tvs for a while.

I am intrigued by the appliances you can control from your phone and the new smart home technology - wonder what the learning curve is like on that.

I also feel like the minute you try to catch up on what is new, it's already old! I wish it would slow down a bit so we can all catch , get updated and educated before the next wave hits!

25+ years ago the rise of PCs was heralded as the dawn of "The Paperless Office".

How's that working out for you?

I still have a landline and refuse to get a cell phone. I really have no need for one and even less interest. That said, I am not a Luddite. I can be reached via phone at home and at work; both have voice mail. I have three personal email addresses and one work one. I'm available; I'm just not all-the-time available.

What I do wish was wireless are lamps. I'd love not to have to string wires under the sofas and chairs to reach a plug or use extension cords to do it. There's one company that makes them (they are converted to reusable batteries) but they won't convert your lamps; you have to buy theirs--and I like the ones I have, they are not being replaced.

As of 2001 all cell phone carriers and all cell phones had to be e911 compatable (Able to send cell phone location information to 911 call centers).

The problem was that the system upgrades for the 911 call centers was expensive and not all call centers could afford the upgrade.

After nearly 20 years, most call centers have upgraded their systems and can locate a cell phone, but there may still be some rural areas working with antiquated systems that cannot collect the information.

Sadly, we now have a new problem with Voice over IP systems. These calls are routed by your computer through a centralized server.

We still have a landline -Australia has a screwball national broadband network, and where I live, thst means you need a landline to get internet. We never use the landline - the only calls we get on it are from nice people in India trying to sell us solar panels, or, over the last few weeks, robocalls from politicians wanting our vote. We have converted completely to mobiles for our personal calls (79 year old hubby now regularly texts the kids) and my mobile plan allows me to call family in Canada far more cheaply than I could do it on a landline.

Debbi Washburn, the learning curve on smart devices is not very steep. I had a bet with my Dad that I could easily turn any lamp in their house into a smart light (they already had an Alexa/Echo). My mom and I went to Best Buy and returned with a $15 Smart light bulb. We put it in their 20 year old lamp and in 15 minutes set it up to be controllable from my mom's phone and by voice. My mom thought she'd need my help, but after watching me follow the couple easy instructions, she was like "oh, I could have done that". The best thing is that this lamp is now dimmable when it never was before. Now when my mom has a migraine she can just say "Alexa turn the light to 2%" instead of sitting in the complete dark... needless to say she loves it.

Btw I respect that a lot of people are paranoid, but for those of you who want some reassurance, if Amazon and Google tried to record everything you said and did they, would go broke trying to store and organize that amount of data. They definitely record what you buy, what apps you use and so forth so they can use that data for ads (but probably very minimal profiles and keywords). But no way are they recording everyones regular talking or when they turn off/on lights, appliances, etc.. As a software engineer who's done big data work, it hurts my brain even thinking about how expensive and difficult that would be (not to mention that every tech company I know is a disorganized hot mess if you look behind the curtain).

Still have my landline! Sticking to it stubbornly. It’s more comfortable to use for long chats, and I like having multiple handsets available - and even 2 corded fixed units, which, unlike all the others (and cellphone), never go AWOL! (Paying lots less for the landline though).

Got rid of home computer. Use old laptop for some things, but mostly my trusty iPad.

Got a “smart” thermostat when we got a new furnace. Wish I hadn’t. My old “stupid” (but programmable) thermostat never needed upgrading, never locked me out cuz I can’t find my friggin’ username/password, never needed to be reprogrammed.

No chance I’m “smartening up” my front door, curtains, appliances anytime soon....

I was recently disheartened. I own a 1964 Hammond A100 organ. I don't play anymore and thought I would donate it to a family or small church. The local music store told me they can't use it, they don't have organ lessons anymore, no one is interested. I tried the local churches, several have an organ and no one who can play. I tried some used furniture places - they won't take it. All said things like 'The last one I had sat here for 2 years and I finally sold it for $50.00'.

It breaks my heart to have this beautiful instrument sent to the dump, but I can't find a home for it.

Jennifer,

A few weeks ago we were up at West Point, the Cadet Chapel houses the largest pipe organ in any place of worship in the world. The registers are amazing.

We went to see a 16 yr old classical organist named Bruce Xu, it restored my faith in humanity watching this young man fearlessly play this beautiful instrument.

I feel ya!

Jennifer, do you have a college or university near you? They may have a music department or students who could use your organ.

The statistics on pianos in US homes over the last century is also disheartening. (says the guy who doesn't play the piano but who likes music)

Diana Bier Interiors, LLC - Thank you. I just called a left a message at the local college music dept. Hope the response is better than the local music stores.

Good luck Jennifer--I'd be interested to know the outcome. Where are you located and what school did you contact?

I'm in Lebanon PA - contacted Lebanon Valley College in Annville PA.

Hope it works out for you, Jennifer.

Regarding calling 911 from a cellphone...many non-rural areas still have not been upgraded to precisely pinpoint your calling locations. My kids live in a pretty urban area, near Boston, without it. I have spent a lot of time teaching my grands that the first thing they should do when calling 911 is to state their location. Another thing they discovered, thankfully not a problem anymore, was that when her mom came to babysit, her android phone didn’t get good reception in their area. That meant she couldn’t call for help if needed. They ended up getting an supplemental basic cellphone for use by her and other babysitters.

RE: the organ - if you have area near you that are lower income districts you may want to reach out to the schools or the local boys and girls club - they may be interested...

https://slate.com/tag/should-this-thing-be-smart

Interesting site.

What I hope will die sooner rather than later are all the wires all over the place. Drives me nuts. I’d like to see table and desk lamps become wireless too. It would be helpful to easily move them about for certain tasks.

What I think will die (although it will be a good 10 years or more) will be the TV. The idea of the family gathered around one black box is already dying, as everyone’s tastes are so varied that little is agreed upon. So, tween goes upstairs and watches Justin Bieber, son goes gaming, Mom watches HGTV in search of more bland granite counter-topped interiors, and dad watches news and sports. (We just keep the big TV on NPR or PBS in case the neighbours are peeking in.) I also see a day when, even when we want to watch communally, we sync up our iPads and each watch it, albeit in unison, from our corner of the room (no need to all be facing the same way). Or projecting from one device onto a wall, if we really want that common view the odd time.

On a similar note, while not a tech thing, I think open floor plans will decline a bit in popularity. It’s just too noisy. Do I really want to share your xbox experience? Do you want your music drowned out by my food processor? Who wants to do homework with Adele lamenting her latest breakup all over the place? (That woman’s a mess. And now she’s divorced, gee, I wonder what the theme of the next album will be.)

Now if you’ll excuse me there’s some kids cutting across my lawn...

Did anyone mention the dog? lol

That land line already isn’t a true land line. Down the phone lines its connections are digital. In any event those land lines are not being maintained. I believe even rural areas will be using cell exclusively in five years. After all, it’s being used in the mountains and deserts of third world countries.