26 years ago, the movie Back to the Future Part II was set in the future, which is, well, today. Exactly today, to be exact: October 21, 2015. As such, we are here to talk about things that were merely a manifestation of the future back in the day and show you the difference between the ’80s expectations and the actual reality that is today.
10 Back to the Future Part II Predictions: Expectations vs Reality
10. Fingerprint biometrics
When Marty McFly sets foot in the future, a man approaches him to save the clocktower with a gadget where Marty can place his thumb to make a donation. Fingerprint biometrics are nothing new nowadays. In fact, a lot of companies now use them for their employees to log in and out of work. Aside from that, they are also widely used to unlock devices like smartphones.
9. Flying Cars
This is something that a lot of comic books, movies and books in the past talked about for the future. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like they will be showing up anytime soon. I’m not even sure if they would be a good idea to begin with. With so many accidents happening on planes and in cars nowadays, putting both together doesn’t sound like a safe system to me.
8. Futuristic Glasses
While there is nothing fashionable in the market that quite looks like Doc’s aluminum visor sunglasses, one gadget that Back to the Future Part II got right: a prototype of what seems to be what we know today as the Google Glass. A lot of other smart glasses are being created by brands like Samsung, Toshiba and Sony now, too, but they all look much better compared to the ones that Marty wears in the film. Also: we have virtual reality glasses now (gadget review on that up on WhenInManila.com soon!)
7. Video Calls
Yes. We’ve had these for a while, thanks to various apps like Skype, Viber, FaceTime and what-have-you. However, seeing Marty talk to his boss through a video call back in 1989 seemed incredulous. Not anymore, Marty. Not anymore.
6. Electrorejuvenation Treatments
In one of the scenes in Back to the Future Part II, Doc mentions that he has had extensive plastic surgery at an electrorejuvenation clinic that went so far to change his blood to help him live longer. In the scene, it’s funny because Doc still looks exactly the same, but nowadays, we’ve seen how much change plastic surgery can provide to those who want it, have we not? What we don’t have yet, though, is those bionic brain implants that Griff had, though. Now those would come in handy for some!
5. Self-Lacing Kicks
In Back to the Future Part II, living in the future really was like living in a dream because they had …wait for it… self-lacing kicks. While Nike has done a great job of making replicas of these shoes in 2011, fear not, for they are about to go the extra mile, as well! That’s right. Nike has announced that they are actually going to release real-life Nike Air Mag Power Laces! HALLELUJAH!!! Who can not be excited for this?!??
4. Adjustable Self-Drying Clothing
Why else was 2015 in Back to the Future Part II a dream? They had clothes that weren’t just self-drying (imagine getting off a wet ride an amusement park while wearing one of these!), but were also adjustable! Just imagine it. You can lose weight, gain weight, lose weight and gain weight without having to worry about not fitting into your clothes. That. Is. The. Dream.
3. Holographic Movies
Okay, so we don’t have holographic movies, but with technology advancing the way it is nowadays, I wouldn’t be surprised if someone came up with them soon – even if only for home use. For now, we can indulge in 3D movies and even 4D movies. One thing Back to the Future Part II did get right about movies, though? The seemingly never-ending sequels. We’re on Fast and the Furious what now?
2. Hoverboards
The hoverboard is definitely one of the coolest things seen in Back to the Future 2 and sadly, it isn’t available on our streets yet. Whle some companies, such as Lexus and Hendo, have come close to making boards that can hover over special tracks, it might take a while before we can own one ourselves. That’s okay, though. We can stick to penny boards for now – or those hands-free two-wheeled electric scooters. They’re pretty cool.
1. Home Energy Reactors
Probably the most ingenious idea from the 1989 movie, Doc goes back to the past in a DeLorean that is powered by Mr. Fusion, a home energy reactor that can turn trash, including banana peels, empty soda bottles and beer, into the 1.21 gigawatts needed to get the time machine to work. Oh, if only we had something this efficient available nowadays. If only we had time machines, too.
Got any of your own ingenious future predictions for 26 years from now? Share them with us!
