I haven't done a predictions column for a decade. But this year so many revolutionary changes are in the works that I thought it would be useful to outline certain trends that I see taking shape. Here are ten predictions for 1997.
Digital photography takes off.
Every camera maker is going gangbusters to develop digital systems. Also expect to see a slew of compact, all-purpose cameras that record sound and video as well as still photographs. Photo-realistic color printing becomes a huge success. The HP 693 and the ALPs solid ink printer, along with a pile of other inexpensive color printers capable of dye sublimation-quality printing, will be the rage. Kodak told me nearly a year ago that it won't promote dye sublimation for the home market because new, cheaper technologies promise to deliver incredible pictures with an ink jet.