(I lied in my last blog post.)

The next big tech trend…

I teased some of you about a week ago by saying I know what comes next in terms of big tech trends. My list of friends is very broad – it includes some hardcore technologists that wouldn’t consider mind-controlled helicopter piloting to be an innovation, and it spans all the way to some friendly and lovable luddites. So, at the risk of stating the obvious, here it is…. drumroll…

The Web Of Things. If you know the term, you won’t consider this a new idea. If you don’t know the term, remember where you heard it first.

It’s a simple idea – things in our digital lives will communicate “status” to us via digital interface. It’s already happening. There’s a web-connected pedometer (fitbit.com), a wifi scale to track your weight online (withings.com) a digital pet walking kit (greengoose.com) and a wifi basketball that tracks your ball skillz (94fifty.com). You can even get a blue whatchamajig to tweet you when your paint dries (supermechanical.com).

If it’s happening now, why is it a big deal?

There’s the marketer’s question… and the only one that matters.

We are seeing the concepts and execution of the Web of Things move from Innovators to Early Adopters. I am predicting we’ll see Early Majority adoption in 2012. Across the Chasm. (http://amzn.com/0066620023)

I trumpet the adoption of stuff that will change the game – not just the existence of cool stuff. I figure only .01% of the new tech we get so excited about in the echo chamber actually makes any difference in real peoples’ lives.

Here’s why the Web of Things is timely now, more than ever:

1) DEVICES: We now carry (items formerly known as) supercomputers in our pockets. With 100% Internet immersion. And adoption of those supercomputers is massive – a significant portion of the earth’s people are connected and ready. So the average human is now equipped to receive, share and process signals from things

2) APPS: Development has splintered into jillions of purpose-built apps and innovation efforts are naturally shifting to the edge – to the daily utility of things. So all sorts of things can be created to make those signals useful.

3) DISTRIBUTION: Dynamics are prime. Apps are all created for one of two concentrated platforms that power those pocket supercomputers. That creates a fantastic competitive environment that concentrates focus and fosters competition.

The Web of Things is coming, and when it hits full strength life will be VERY different for the average person. (many of us geeks use these things now, to some degree)

Yes, we will have automated homes… and our house will optimize power consumption timing to make the most of available power on the grid. Lights will turn on and off, thermostats will manage temperature and our plants will tell us when they are sick.

Yes, we will have digitized health and sports performance. Weight, exercise, nutrition. All possible now, coming soon to a store near you…

Yes, we’ll have digital driving, brought to us by Google. (http://bit.ly/xkjO1O)

But I think it’s more significant than that. This next step of machine interfaces into the real world marks the next stage in a massive transformation from organic to hybrid-digital beings.

So, most importantly, we’ll have a decision… and it’s not a technology decision at all…

How are each of us – as humans – going to use this technology? Will it free up time and simplify our lives so we can spend our waking hours doing things that really matter, like spending time connecting with our friends and family? Or will this stuff clutter up our lives, driving us to me more frantic than ever?

As a product manager I can see how this stuff can really change our daily lives and I want to play a part… not sure how yet.

As an investor I am intrigued. I’d like to find that balance where ideas go wild into the mass market and a lot of money is made.

As a guy seeking peace in my life and for my family, I want to find a way to reach through the technology to a more connected, fulfilling place.