Where will all the digitalisation of the home lead to? Years ago, specialists in technology were talking about everything being 'connected'. Our fridges would be connected to the internet, as would just about everything else in the home. All this would make it almost unnecessary to order anything - it would be done automatically for us. The fridge would sense we only had six beers left so it would 'automatically' order a few more. For some of us, this sounds almost too good to be true.
Michael MacMillan, managing director of Vizualize, a Hong Kong-based company that specialises in hi-tech solutions for commercial properties, previously had a great deal of experience in the early days of technological solutions for the home.
He worked for EnergyAustralia and many other companies that were looking at ways of providing services to the home.
'We looked at providing rental deals for home automation and providing internet services over the power lines. This type of technology is only now possible, but 20 years ago it was a very revolutionary idea,' he said.
They looked at all kinds of home automation ideas including controlling air conditioning, hot water and especially lighting. They thought they could merge it all with the then-emerging solar technology.
The penalty one paid for being too far ahead of your time, he said, was that being too soon meant nobody listened to you.
Mr MacMillan believes utility companies will increasingly move into this area in the future. 'I think you will see a further emergence of the likes of PCCW and CLP providing technology and services as a billable feature,' he said. 'You will be provided with a range of appliances and services, stereos with music downloads or play-on-demand options to your iPhone for example. Refrigerators, pantry items or shopping lists automatically refilled via an internet order are now conceivable.'