B2B Futurology: DM 2050
September 8th 2011
“Damn”
As another offer for ultra-sonic floor cleaners pinged through his ear implant, John regretted the moment he’d decided to opt-in his personal area network (PAN) in exchange for an air travel raffle ticket. Even if he was one of the lucky 1,000 leaving Manchester airport this month, what did he have to spend when he got…wherever it was the mid Atlantic air currents decreed..?
No, Virgin Glideways would have to whistle for access to his PAN. Same with Nike – John hadn’t truly recovered from the episode last week where they tried a new technique of reversing the sensors in his footwear to emulate the massaging effect of their new air cushion sole.
-- Bleep ---
The door bell pinged indicating two things:
- The parcel man had something
- The 8:04am tram from Ramsbottom was as likely as a post-2027 pig-flesh sandwich
Shovelling the last of his ever-so-like-oaty breakfast, John picked up his bag and headed for the door. Offering his sleep-encrusted iris to the delivery man, John opened the parcel to reveal a white ball and clearly a piece of electronic paper - also white - with a black cross in the bottom right corner. Intrigued, John pressed the X with his fingers and the paper came alive. A video of an actor he faintly recognised started playing:
“John, forgive this intrusion at home, but if you’ve received this, you’re running late. Our profiling indicates you’re a busy man and you plus the team that work for you could use our help to streamline your day of meetings to give you more time for yourself and your work.”
“The ball is a token for an ElectroTaxi that will take you to your office. During the smooth ride – much less packed and quicker than the tram – you can sip an Iguana Juice and we’ll give you a soft introduction to our award-winning service. Press the X again if you are interested and we will arrange for taxi to arrive in the next 10 minutes.”
John waivered slightly but the prospect of getting to work in the faux-leather comfort of an ElectroTaxi was an easy trade for watching a marketing video or two and he pressed the X again.
Perhaps the PAN opt-in was a good idea after all……
