The internet as we know it has been around for almost three decades. Today, we use it for pretty much everything. From concept to 5G, IoT and artificial intelligence, this is the evolution of online technology.
The beginning of the internet
It is hard to imagine life without the internet, but most households didn’t have an internet connection until the 1990s. It all started with the creation of Arpanet in 1969. This was the first network to run on packet switching, which is a key component of digital communication. In October of 1969, computers at UCLA and Stanford were connected for the very first time. This important event created the foundation of the modern internet.
The internet has seen many innovations and improvements over the decades: Ray Tomlinson invented email in 1971. The first trans-Atlantic connection was established in 1973. And the domain name system (DNS) came into play in 1984. But one of the biggest innovations came in 1991, with the implementation of the World Wide Web. This system made the internet more accessible for the masses, and the first web pages started popping up shortly after.
The way we use the internet has also changed over the years. Early internet browsers like Mosaic and Netscape allowed people to browse a growing network of websites. Amazon and eBay launched in 1995, making online shopping a viable and safe option. We also got web cameras, blogs, webmail, Java, and MP3 in the 90s. Google entered the scene in 1998, making it much easier to find information online.
New online technologies and emerging trends
Online technology is constantly evolving, and no one knows what the future holds. But one thing is for certain: the internet is going to continue to be a major part of our daily lives – perhaps even more so than in the past. Because of streaming technology, more and more people turn off their TV subscriptions in favour of Netflix, YouTube and Twitch. Even online casinos embrace live streaming – if you visit and review TeleVega live casino, you will find casino games that are streamed to the players in real-time.
Our devices will also become smarter in the coming years. With the Internet of Things (IoT), more and more devices are connected to the internet and communicating with each other. Smart cars, smart homes, smart appliances are still in the early stages, but that will change in the near future. Many countries are now rolling out 5G, which is the next generation of wireless technology. 5G can be as much as 100 times faster than 4G, and the lower latency makes it possible to implement in many different areas. Soon, you might own a car that communicates with other cars and warns you about traffic jams and suggests alternative routes in real-time.
We will also see advanced AI in the coming years. Artificial intelligence has a lot of potential, and multiple countries and companies are making substantial progress on its development every day. AI, just like everything else in this article, has the potential to truly revolutionise the world.