In this last chapter, we will touch upon a few issues that are equally interesting and important to consider in the overall picture of compression, migration, technology advances, and competition, to name a few.

Throughout this book, we have been analyzing the technical ins and outs of MPEG-4 and have also discussed some of the business aspects surrounding this international standard. Most of our information has been based on past and present facts, observations, and yes, opinions; however, the more difficult task is to discuss or illustrate what may possibly happen in the future. The problem is that none of us has a crystal ball or other magic to foretell what s down the road. In technology, as in so many other industries, a vast amount of data is utilized to come up with certain views as to what the future may bring. All this information is based on statistical and empirical evidence. In our more limited context, the same situation applies. However, it is also possible to look at these things without having reams of figures as we try to determine the chances of success, the pros and cons, the timeframe of deployment, and so on. We can simply have a look at the implications of MPEG-2 to the multimedia world at the time and indeed over time as well as apply some of the knowledge gained out of this book plus common sense to the equation, and it is pretty evident that MPEG-4 can, should, and will play a...