With the world of tech being as it is, we constantly search for the next big thing. Whether it is the ultimate gadget, the life changing utility, that new social craze or something that saves billions of lives – we all eagerly await it’s arrival.

Well I have done some serious searching the intarwebz, reading books and watching online trends to figure out what will herald the next tech golden age.

I have come to the conclusion that the next big thing is DRRRRUUMMmmMMRRRROOLLLLLL

You.

Yes YOU!

Look, this might sound corny, but hear me out.

Tech is more accessible than ever. If you look at some of the most exciting inventions in the world of technology in the last fifty odd years a large chunk of them started off with individual genius. Apple, for instance, has its roots in the Apple 1 built by Steve Wozniak in a garage. Microsoft has its roots in Bill Gates, together with Paul Allen, building a BASIC interpreter for a new microcomputer called the Altair.

What makes their stories successful is a combination of the right opportunity, individual perseverance and contact with very talented people to help and support them.

Today Apple has just presented the iPad to the world, and Microsoft is about to release Office 2010.

How does this relate to you then?

Well, today the world of Tech is more accessible than ever, you can get access to tutorials on doing almost anything yourself via a quick web search. Yes. Almost everything.

Want to build your own touch screen? There are dozens of tutorials out there. Even free software you can download with detailed instructions on how to build your interface. One guy built a touchscreen TV as tall as he is with nothing more than plywood, some LED’s, downloaded software and some sweat.

Want to become a widely read author? Go to blogger.com and set up an account. Today you can blog right from your cellphone!

Want to influence thousands? Get a twitter account. Start tweeting.

Oh, don’t like twitter but like how it works? BUILD YOUR OWN! Look at http://floss.pro as an example. It is a microblogging community for IT professionals. Built out of free software and hosted on a server it is now a thriving community of IT professionals who share ideas and help out with technical questions.

If you have a little time, and a new idea, the tools are out there to help you build your dream. Some students at MIT built a personal interface device that lets you review books, products and other things while you are in the shop. It scans the item, downloads the relevant information from a database on the internet and then displays ON THE ITEM a review of it, its health information, an alternative if you need it, or in the case of a book a review or even what it would cost if you bought it online. What did they use? A webcam, a cellphone and a mini projector.

The Time Is NOW

Companies are making good money from small ideas that took off. Look at Facebook for instance. It used to be a varsity project, now it is a worldwide phenomenon.

I for one am really excited about what will creep out of basements, lofts and garages all over the world and into our homes. Some people are already playing around with iPhones and making “augmented reality devices.” Cellphones are being deployed to Africa that uses it’s built in camera to diagnose disease.

YOU could be the next big thing. Just don’t sit on your idea.

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