Despite, or perhaps of, his seniority, the author has not addressed the tsunami-like speed of the development of nano-technology. Within years, and not many of those, I foresee iPad derivatives under everyone's arms (or hardwired into their brains.)

And what will these machines do? Virtually everything computer-wise but a speciality would be instant translation from/to every language - including the necessary flags to tell the listener (reader) such things as 'joke', 'irony', 'sarcasm' etc. Perhaps even 'this person is having a lend of you'.

What a great advance! And how it will destroy serious conversation!

I have to agree with prialprang's post.

Google translate is only the beginning and that's already enough to give you the gist.

The following is taken from a job advert written in Mandarin and translated using Google translate. It states the requirements for applicants.

[START]

1, English or related undergraduate degree or above in English professional level more than eight;

Familiar with the field of international political, economic and other reports, in English translation skills;

3, with a strong thematic planning ability, writing skills and news sensitivity;

4, a sense of responsibility, there is a strong team spirit and enthusiasm for work, able to adapt to the early white, late night, the frequency of rotation and holiday work;

5, strong learning ability and innovation ability;

6, related work experience in traditional media or news websites or abroad (English-speaking countries and regions) journalism experience is preferred.

[END]

If you want to have fun use google translate to translate something from English into, say, Korean. Then translate the resulting Korean text into, say, German. Finally translate that text back into English.

Occasionally hilarious. Always funny.