Today, 98% of conferencing is done over the phone. Web and video conferencing are just taking hold, and technology is rapidly advancing to accommodate conferencing in ways we can't even imagine. The next futuristic trend in conferencing -- say 5 to 10 years from now -- will involve holographic meetings where folks will put on funny looking head gear and meet in virtual rooms to discuss business. So, rather than travel to San Francisco, you can sit at home, and have a virtual presence in the San Francisco office -- they'll be able to see your face, your expressions and even see you walk around. And you'll be able to see them do the same thing. Amazingly, if you wear a body suit filled with sensors, you'll be able to shake hands and feel the pressure of the grip. You'll feel them -- they'll feel you. (Can you imagine what that technology will do for the adult industry?)
At first, holographic meetings and conferences will be pricey because they consume a tremendous amount of bandwidth. But who knows how the next generation of travel on the superhighway will develop. For those of us who have been around awhile will attest, it wasn't that along ago that "dial-up" seemed fine. Somehow, someway, someone will invent a new way to conference and kick start a generation of "conference visits" rather than "conference calls" that will enable you to travel anywhere in the world and have a 3-D presence. Just like Captain Kirk in StarTrek, you'll be able to press a key on your keyboard and beam yourself anywhere -- maybe not your physical body, but at least an image of yourself.
You can get more information about the fascinating subject of virtual reality and holographic meetings here.
