Idoru by William Gibson:
Science Fiction Inventions, Technology and Ideas

The decadent 21st century seen in Neuromancer is again the main character in this cyber thriller. The novel takes place mostly in a future Tokyo, where various plots (some amusing) unfold, including a search by a 14 year old groupie who tries to determine if the lead singer in her favorite band is really going to marry an artificial celebrity - an idoru. Select an invention:

Computer Translator - computer translator and GPS
A computer translator; software that provides automatic translation when jacked into a data port.

Control-Face - an LCD remote control
A small liquid crystal display (LCD) unit linked to a larger network; gives a window onto your larger network world.

Cybernetic Water Witch -
A job that involves a lot of surfing for patterns in information.

Eyephone(s) - big screen in a small package
A projection system using small goggles to project an image directly on your eye.

Headset - wireless ear-clips
Wireless headsets provide computer language translation.

Hotdesk - the cubicle is the computer
A desk space that was itself ready for input.

Idoru - a software-generated personality
A virtual person like a video game character; an entity given specific characteristics, existing only in computer networks.

Kitchen Korner - smarty fridge
Just exactly what futurists say you're going to get, like or not, in a refrigerator.

Micro-Bachelor - downscale apartment
A small apartment carved out of an abandoned structure.

Nanotech Buildings - built with fibers
Enormous buildings built with nanotech fibers.

Sandbenders - a gem of a computer
A highly customized computer system; the opposite of a box from Gateway or Dell.

Synthespian - a computer-generated actor
A synthetic media personality.

Video Unit - big bro
Video units attached directly to the optic nerve, giving sight to the blind.

Virtual Meeting - grandson of the web conference
A meeting space that exists only in a computer; the descendant of today's web conferences.

Wearable White-Noise Generator - urban isolation gear
A device worn when the wearer preferred not to be the subject of audio recordings.

 

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