Time travel

A new survey by Motorola has revealed the extent of television viewing over the internet, with 45% of European broadband users now watching shows online. The most interesting finding from the research, however, has to be that by 2012, 35% of people want to be able to pause, rewind or FAST FORWARD live broadcasts. Technology can do a lot (it fact it can already do the first two on that list), but I think taking you forward in time might be a little beyond the average PC for a while yet.

Rarely a week goes by without an announcement about a new internet TV service. Channel 4 launched 4OD recently, the BBC's iPlayer has been approved, while ITV are also now making plans.

I still don't think we know how the average home will look in a few years. These moves toward making more services available through computers are interesting, but I'd keep an eye out for how the traditional television set develops. According to the Motorola survey, 45% of people to be making videophone calls through their TV within five years. We're probably at a crossroads with the TV, and it will be interesting to see if the next big leap can be taken.

LW