Bill Gates' 15 predictions in 1999

     Bill Gates' 15 predictions in 1999

          In 1999, Bill Gates wrote a book entitled "Business @ the Speed of Thought".

     It's crazy to realize that the 15 bold predictions he made are just at a time when everything almost sounds like science fiction.

     Here are the 15 predictions Bill Gates made 20 years ago:

1- Mobile terminals

      Bill Gates predicted that "people will carry small devices that will allow them to stay in constant contact and do business wherever they are. They'll be able to follow the news, see what flights they've booked, get information on the financial markets and do anything else on those planes."

2- Price comparators

      Bill Gates' prediction: "Automated price comparison services will be developed that will allow people to view prices on multiple websites, allowing them to find the cheapest product effortlessly."

3- Instant payments

     Bill Gates' prediction: "People will pay their bills, manage their finances and communicate with their doctors over the Internet."

4- PDAs and connected objects

      Bill Gates' prediction: "Personal companionship will be developed. 

     They will connect and synchronize all your devices in an intelligent way, whether at home or in the office, and allow them to exchange data. 

     The device will check your email or notifications and present the information you need. When you go to the store, you will be able to tell each other what recipes you want to prepare and generate a list of ingredients that you will need to remove. 

     All the devices you use will be notified of your purchases and your schedule, so they will automatically adjust to what you're doing."

 5- Home monitoring via Internet

     Bill Gates' prediction: "Continuous video streams of activity in your home will become commonplace, informing you of someone's visit when you're not at home."

6- Social media

     Bill Gates' prediction: "Private websites for friends and family will be common, allowing you to chat and plan events."

7- Automated promotional offers

     Bill Gates' prediction: "Software that knows when you've booked a trip and uses that information to suggest on-site activities. It suggests activities, discounts, offers and cheaper prices for all the things you want to do."

8- Real-time discussion sites dedicated to sports events

     Bill Gates' prediction: "While watching a sports competition on television, services will allow you to discuss what's going on live and enter a contest where you'll bet on the winner."

9- Smart advertising

     Bill Gates' prediction: "Terminals will have intelligent advertising. They will be aware of your buying trends and will display ads that are tailored to your preferences".

10- Links to sites during live TV broadcasts 

     Bill Gates' prediction: "Broadcasting on TV will include links to relevant websites and content that will complement what you watch".

11- Online discussion forums

     Bill Gates' prediction: "People in cities and countries will be able to have discussions on the Internet about issues that affect them, such as local politics, urban planning or security."

12- Interest-based sites

     Bill Gates' prediction: "Online communities won't be influenced by your location, but rather by your interests."

13- Project management tools 

     Bill Gates' prediction: "Project managers looking to put together a team will be able to do so online, describe the project and receive recommendations from available people who meet their needs."

14- Online recruitment 

     Bill Gates' prediction: "Similarly, people looking for work will be able to find job opportunities online by declaring their specific interests, needs, and skills."

15- Collaborative tools for freelancers

     Bill Gates' prediction: "Businesses will be able to bid on jobs, whether it is a construction project, a film production project or an advertising campaign. 

     This will be effective both for large companies that want to outsource work they are not used to doing and for companies looking for new customers and companies that don't have service providers".

 Bill Gates' predictions proved to be extremely visionary.