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^ ^ e i in er etter FORECASTS FOR MANAGEMENT DECISIONMAKING 1729 H St. NW, Washington, DC 20006-3938 • kiplingerbiz.com • Vol. 84, No. 51 Dear Client: Washington, Dec. 28, 2007 This Letter invites you to imagine life 10-15 years from now... your daily routine and how it will be different as technology evolves. iGr file baby boomers aTioiig llS, Slime filings Wlii take getting llsed t0. But younger, more tech-savvy generations will take changes in stride, with an eager eye toward even bigger innovations in the decades to come. Picture yourself waking up in a highly energy efficient home that you bought in a suburb of a major metro area. The dwelling uses half the energy consumed by a similar-size house in 2007. Government regulations are enforcing energy saving home construction. Prominent features of your new digs: Passive solar design included in the home's layout. Windows and walls that let in more sunshine in cold months and insulate against it in warmer months, saving you money. Sensors to control everythin~...windows that dim and brighten, depending on information they receive from temperature gauging sensors. And a green roof to help control temperatures. Made of what? Grass, mostly. Genetic tweaking is likely to eliminate the. need to mow, not only your "lawn" up top, but also the larger one at ground level. Scientists have already found the molecular path of a key growth hormone. Light emitting diodes, or LEDs, illuminate the home and grounds. LEDs use up to 90% less energy than incandescents or fluorescents. They're powered by solar cells that line the edges of the roof. Photovoltaics are becoming much better at pulling power from the sun, and in 10 years or so, will be cost competitive with the electricity grid. Smart power meters guide major appliance use, tipping you off on when to run your dishwasher, clothes washer and other machines, based on real-time price information showing when electricity is cheapest. Ready for that first cup of -java7FJust say "coffeemaker on," and your home's voice activation system will start it brewing. Other voice commands will trigger lights, video and sound systems, etc. On to the bathroom to interface with your medicine cabinet. This device uses face recognition to identify who's in the mirror. It's you and not your spouse, so the cabinet, knowing of your allergies, tells you the day's pollen count and reminds you to take your medication. It's a nice day out, so why not opt for the outdoor shower, shielded behind a wood partition adjacent to the master bathroom. You got the idea for the alfresco facility from your last spa vacation... adapting the pleasures of resort life to the home is all the rage. OK, time to ge_t dressed and face the day. What to wear? Pick a shirt and the tag's voice prompt will suggest what matches. Clothing tags are also programmed to give washing instructions. Oh, and since that health scare last year, don't leave home without your wireless health monitor so the doctor can keep tabs on you. The Kiplinger Lefler (ISSN 1528-7130) is published weekly for $117/one year, $199/two years, $263/three years SubSClipti0n inGUiries: B00-644~0156orsubservices@k~p6ngeccom by The Kiphnger Washington Editors, 1729 H SL, NW, Washington, DC 20006-3938. EdifOriel inlOrRlBfion: Tel., 202887-6462; Fax, 202-776-8976; POSTMASTEH~ Send address changes to The Kiplinger Letter, P0. Boa 3295, Harlan, IA 51593. 6mai1, letters@Mplinger.rnm; or Web sfe, kiplingerbiz.com