In between movies, you can balance your checkbook or see how much your mutual funds have dropped in a bear market.
Sonic the Hedgehog will be sent directly to your screen by cable companies and perhaps even video stores like Blockbuster. Some systems are already up and running.
Should you kiss those frequent-flier miles goodbye? Only if businesses really flock to new video teleconferencing.
Like movies on demand, you would have access to thousands of compact discs. But record companies have to go along with the plan.
Reserve and buy tickets to live events. Or, if you’re watching from your living room, you can choose the camera angle and call up video replays as often as you like.
Like sports? Because you can choose the news, you’ll never have to read another story about Haiti or health care again. Some systems are being tested now, but it may be a while before you can customize the daily newspaper.
Watch any film you want when you want it. Tests are underway, but it may be at least 10 years before even 15 percent of all homes have access to what may become the most popular interactive service.
If you’re searching for a new home, you’ll be able to call up an advertisement and get a tour of the house before contacting the real-estate broker.
If real shopping malls give you the willes, the interactive world will let you “browse” the Macy’s cosmetics counter at home.
The interactive TV of the future will be part computer, part video monitor and will be much easier to operate than your present VCR. But will all the options be too much for couch potatoes to handle?
