Poll: What analog technology will go digital next?

CNET News Poll

The digital evolution
If e-books become the norm, what analog technology will be the next to go digital?

iReport cards texted to parents
Presidents will be sworn in on digital Bibles
Speed limit signs will change to response to traffic conditions
We'll line our bird cages with Kindles
Nutritional info on groceries will come via RFID

View results

This has been a big week for e-book readers.

With Samsung announcing a new lineup of readers, leaks about a possible upgrade to Sony's Reader, and, most notably, the implications of Apple's supposed new tablet, digital books are mixing things up quite a bit.

It sounds like the future of publishing just might be digital after all. If e-books become the norm for reading, what do you think the next analog technology to go digital will be? Chime in on our weekly poll.

[kyle59]

I already get my children's report cards and up to the minute progress via email and a website. it is called school looped

[deanbvfx]

The adaptive speed limit's is a pretty good idea.
I know they currently put up temporary sign's if theres been an accident, but something that cna change ot pretty much shape the traffic, it could be great for rush hour.

[c|net Reader]

I think it would be nice for the signs to adapt to the weather, too. The only question is whether drivers will pay attention to the signs. "But officer, this is a 65 MPH zone, isn't it?"

[artistjoh]

Art is next and the iPhone technology is already feeding into that. Commercial arts such as architecture, graphic design, illustration, and so on went digital early and most commercial artists happily use W#acom tablets and other input devices with their computers but the so called "fines arts" has remained oblivious to tablets, computers, and so on except for perhaps utilizing a digital camera and some photoshop in working out an idea. meanwhile art materials stores sell lots of paint and charcoal and paper but very little if any software and electronic hardware and most artists assume this will not change but I suspect that touch screens especially something a little bigger than the iPhone will start to change that over the next 5 years and all the visual arts are likely to go digital.

[Zalcorn]

My report card is already available digitally. I can access current grade information online at any time, and see such data as individual assignment grades, missing assignments, and class attendance.

[bluemist9999]

I also like the adaptive speed limit idea. In a heavy snowstorm, a highway's maximum safe speed might be only 40 MPH. During rush hour, the safe speed might be only 20 MPH in certain spots.

The next step would be to send that information directly into cars, so the speed limit is clearly visible to the driver, especially in cases like fog or snow, where you can sometimes barely see the edges of the road.

[electricTwo]

I'm surprised that the menus at restaurants are still analog. If they were digital, it would be easy to change them each day, which would mean that the menus could be right most of the time, the menus would be specific to the current time, and the menus could provide 3D images of the dishes.