We just need to figure out why telephones should merge with computers in the first place. True, the combination could help telemarketers. But for most of us, it’s as useful as a computerized toaster.
Predictor: Steinberg, Steve G.
Prediction, in context:In a 1995 article listing tech items and issues that are currently being hyped, Steve Steinberg of Wired magazine writes: ”Computer telephony has long been stymied by the lack of a standardized programming interface. But Windows 95’s telephony application programming interface effectively ends the standards battle. Now we just need to figure out why telephones should merge with computers in the first place. True, the combination could help telemarketers. But for most of us, it’s as useful as a computerized toaster.”
Date of prediction: January 1, 1995
Topic of prediction: Communication
Subtopic: Internet Telephony
Name of publication: Wired
Title, headline, chapter name: Hype List: Computer Telephony
Quote Type: Direct quote
Page number or URL of document at time of study:
http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/3.12/hypelist.html
This data was logged into the Elon/Pew Predictions Database by: Anderson, Janna Quitney