Tech 2008: greener, more vivid

A more intense wireless experience, eco-friendly devices and a push for more high-definition television offerings are among technology predictions for 2008.

Here is what a dozen industry executives in the suburbs said when asked about the technology outlook for 2008.

Daryle Brown, senior global marketing manager for USRobotics, Schaumburg: As we become accustomed to upgrading mobile phones, personal music players, laptops, computer monitors and televisions, there is an incredible need to recycle older gear. For this reason, technology hardware manufacturers like USRobotics are developing a new generation of products that are safer for the environment.

Also, online gaming has become a booming business. And social networking sites, like Facebook or MySpace, have seen huge growth, both in terms of users and market valuations. Combining both of these with a business component is Second Life, a 3D virtual world created entirely by its residents. 2008 will see an incredible increase in not only Second Life residents, but growth in the business applications this environment supports.

Cindy Christy, president, Alcatel-Lucent Americas: An innovative technology we believe will arrive in 2008 is Femto cells. Think of this as a technology that turns your house into a personal cell site for a small group of users, whether a family or group of co-workers. Alcatel-Lucent's Femto cell product is the Base Station Router-Femto, which is the size of a TV set-top box and placed in the home or office and connected to the broader network by DSL or fiber. An advantage of Femto cells is you can use a standard mobile phone; the services are fully integrated with your existing mobile phone service, so the handoff when you're walking in the door would be seamless.

Thom Disch, chief executive officer, Handi-Ramp Inc., Libertyville: The complex and sophisticated technology that has been developed in recent years will reach us in our daily lives through practical applications. We have already seen it with the social networking and viral marketing that has evolved with MySpace and Facebook, and the blogging phenomenon. We can get GPS maps and directions on our cell phone. Online purchases are up consistently at least 20 percent more year over year. Search engines are delivering over 60 billion search results every month. All of this is happening because easy-to-use applications have been developed that enable each of us to use the most advanced technology, and this will accelerate in 2008.

T.J. Fox, Illinois/Wisconsin president for Verizon Wireless, Schaumburg: By late 2008, Verizon Wireless will provide customers the option to use, on its nationwide wireless network, their wireless devices with software and applications not offered by the company. In early 2008, the company will publish the technical standards the development community will need to design products to interface with our network. This is a transformation point in the 20-year history of mass market wireless devices, one which we believe will set the table for the next level of innovation and growth.

Fred Hoch, president of the Illinois Technology Association, Chicago: As our phones become more sophisticated with GPS capabilities, you are going to see a host of companies launching products that provide coupons and incentives to come into their stores if you are nearby. Additionally, we are seeing retail stores beginning to entice customers with special offers only available right then and there.

On the business side, you will see new companies launch that are focused on automating aspects of business. From real estate appointments to manufacturing automation, Chicago is a hotbed for companies supporting the other industries of the region.

Daniel P. Kelly, executive vice president of global products, Tellabs Inc., Naperville: When you look in your pocket or your purse, you need to have three essential things: your mobile phone, wallet and keys. In 2008, starting in Europe, we will see mobile phones begin to take over more of the work now done by your wallet, enabling you to pay for transactions and tolls electronically with your phone. As this "m-wallet" technology takes hold over time, eventually it will become possible for you to leave the house with just your phone and keys.

Housh Khosbin, CEO of CleanZone Systems LLC, Lisle: We will see growing awareness of the use of high levels of energized oxygen (natural ozone) to eliminate mold, bacteria, viruses and allergens in homes, schools and other facilities. In recent weeks, we've all read about the dangers of the methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) found in locker rooms. Ozone, which is commonly used in water purification and is often called "nature's purifier," can sanitize an area in a few hours without the use of chemicals.

J.W. Penland, area vice president for Sprint, Oak Brook: Sprint will launch a wireless Internet service called XOHM, and it will arrive first in the Chicago area. XOHM (pronounced "zoam") will provide an "Internet everywhere" experience for consumers and businesses, furnishing high-performance continuous Internet connections that surpass some DSL connection speeds. Also, XOHM provides these high Internet speeds across a range of miles, instead of mere feet like today's Wi-Fi connections.

Steve Reimer, senior vice president, Comcast Corp., Schaumburg: Comcast customers will see growth in high-definition choices in 2008. Currently, viewers can choose from more than 200 HD programs, including 75 HD Movies on Demand and popular network series. We'll double that and more in 2008. At the same time, HDTV prices are falling while quality is improving, adding up to accelerating consumer adoption of high-definition TV.

Also, new "wideband" technology will give Comcast the ability to deliver dramatically faster Internet download speeds compared to today's broadband services. This will coincide with continued rapid growth in bandwidth-intensive online applications, like video streaming, high-resolution digital photography, and audio and video file sharing.

Rob Shaddock, senior vice president of feature and mass market portfolio, mobile devices for Motorola Inc., Libertyville: More mobile devices will optimize Internet connectivity, from Motorola as well as our competitors. More will have Wi-Fi, at-home use with home connections, larger screens, and more development of touch interfaces. There also will be more emphasis on videos and watching movies on your phone as well as taking those video clips and posting them to sharing sites. Audio also will improve. Our Crystal Talk will go into more products in 2008 and our goal is to have them in all mobile communications.

Martin Slark, CEO, Molex Inc., Lisle: We are looking at the explosion of Wi-Fi and WiMax and the devices that use them to permit immediate access to the Internet any time and anywhere. As more portable consumer devices like smart phones and MP3 players are capable of connecting directly to the Internet, their uses are expanding beyond direct downloads of entertainment and information, to other activities like ordering movie tickets en route to the theater.

The technology for these types of devices, as well as all the infrastructure required to support them, will continue to grow. As this expands beyond homes and businesses to entire cities offering wireless Internet access, we will need more innovative technology to support this growth.

John Venator, CEO of the Computing Technology Industry Association, Oakbrook Terrace: Worldwide spending on technology is projected to grow to $3.3 trillion in 2008, according to Gartner, a tech research firm. That would be a 5.5 percent jump in tech spending over 2007. We anticipate most organizations will focus new spending on leveraging existing computing/networking infrastructure.

Investment will likely occur in secure data backup, storage and disaster recovery; Internet Protocol telephony; server virtualization and consolidation; and Wi-Fi. Also, the nation is facing a severe shortage of skilled technology workers.