2005: The year in technology

New Scientist has just released a decent, albeit brief, summary of some of the interesting emergent innovations in technology over the last 12 months: see their article '2005: The year in technology'

One of the points worth a mention is that a patent filed by Sony, revealed in April, 'provided a disturbing glimpse of the possible future for virtual entertainment. Describing a device that would transmit sensory data directly into the brain, the invention hints at a Matrix-like experience for gamers in decades to come.'

Another - of the devices developed by US military. These included an 'electromagnetic pulse gun, a microwave weapon, and a rifle capable of firing electric bullets at aggressors. Details of a laser rifle and a helicopter laser weapon, designed to dazzle targets without permanently blinding them, were also uncovered'

I'm sure there is much, much more to come...and some of it in 2006