Yes, that one is a great thing, too.

This is how it might go:
- First, they release it as memory modules / ultra-fast SSDs
- Then, someone tweaks Linux and Android to use this memory for the main persistent storage, as well
- Then, special APIs appear to treat more in-app memory operations as persistent (similar to PalmOS)
- In the meantime, the neuromorphic chips bring new low-power AI features to robots and mobile devices
- Then, neuromorphic co-processors are added to "normal" computers
- Then, memristor memory and neuromorphic logic units find their way into the CPUs, building powerful hybrid systems

And if you combine this with the potential performance gains from the other technology I mentioned, the "Moore's Law Ending" articles start looking really lame.

Storage / RAM is not the only application for memristors. As they can serve as single-element excitation counters, they enable extremely power-efficient neuromorphic chips, as described in this paper from Intel (PDF warning): Proposal For Neuromorphic Hardware Using Spin Devices

I see many emerging technologies that promise further great progress in computing. Here are some of them. I wish some industry people here could post some updates about their way to the market. They may not literally prolong the Moore's Law in regards to the number of transistors, but they promise great performance gains, which is what really matters.

3D chips. As materials science and manufacturing precision advances, we will soon have multi-layered (starting at a few layers that Samsung already has, but up to 1000s) or even fully 3D chips with efficient heat dissipation. This would put the components closer together and streamline the close-range interconnects. Also, this increases "computation per rack unit volume", simplifying some space-related aspects of scaling.

Memristors. HP is ready to produce the first memristor chips but delays that for business reasons (how sad is that!) Others are also preparing products. Memristor technology enables a new approach to computing, combining memory and computation in one place. They are also quite fast (competitive with the current RAM) and energy-efficient, which means easier cooling and possible 3D layout.

Photonics. Optical buses are finding their ways into computers, and network hardware manufacturers are looking for ways to perform some basic switching directly with light. Some day these two trends may converge to produce an optical computer chip that would be free from the limitations of electric resistance/heat, EM interference, and could thus operate at a higher clock speed. Would be more energy efficient, too.

Spintronics. Probably further in the future, but potentially very high-density and low-power technology actively developed by IBM, Hynix and a bunch of others. This one would push our computation density and power efficiency limits to another level, as it allows performing some computation using magnetic fields, without electrons actually moving in electrical current (excuse me for my layman understanding).

Quantum computing. This could qualitatively speed up whole classes of tasks, potentially bringing AI and simulation applications to new levels of performance. The only commercial offer so far is Dwave, and it's not a classical QC, but so many labs are working on that, the results are bound to come soon.

3D chips, memristors, spintronics. I am surprised these are not mentioned prominently in this thread. I was hoping to hear about the latest advances in these areas from people in the industry.

3D chips. As materials science and manufacturing precision advances, we will soon have multi-layered (starting at a few layers that Samsung already has, but up to 1000s) or even fully 3D chips with efficient heat dissipation. This would put the components closer together and streamline the close-range interconnects. Also, this increases "computation per rack unit volume", simplifying some space-related aspects of scaling.

Memristors. HP is ready to produce the first memristor chips but delays that for business reasons (how sad is that!) Others are also preparing products. Memristor technology enables a new approach to computing, combining memory and computation in one place. They are also quite fast (competitive with the current RAM) and energy-efficient, which means easier cooling and possible 3D layout.

Spintronics. Probably further in the future, but potentially very high-density and low-power technology actively developed by IBM, Hynix and a bunch of others. This one would push our computation density and power efficiency limits to another level, as it allows performing some computation using magnetic fields, without electrons actually moving in electrical current (excuse me for my layman understanding).

Photonics was already mentioned by others here.

I agree there is benefit in open solutions especially in open/standard file format support, but I don't think an OS choice makes sense as a #1 priority, which was GP's point.

For a nice quick overview of top 15 candidates for a good modern DAW see http://www.musicradar.com/tuition/tech/the-15-best-daw-software-apps-in-the-world-today-238905/1

Choosing Linux as OS does limit your options here severely.

Seconded. Compared to all the choices and expenses required for decent audio production, the OS choice is a non-issue. Use Linux for what you like; dual-boot, or even have a separate machine that runs a decent DAW for which you can find some help / training.

Cost of living is high in Moscow. Price of life, not so much.

Producing plastic things that you can do with 3D printers has been no problem for decades. The machinery is expensive for home use, but quite affordable even for relatively small business. So no, I don't think this will change that much at inter-state trade level. It may change something in shopping patterns, but again - paper printers have been around for ages, and still it's not like everyone prints every printed item on them. Industrial scaling effects still apply.

Good description of the different RoboCup leagues; too bad parent posted as AC.

1. Amplify Plutonium-Gamma Shield
2. Deharmonize Neptunium Impeller
3. Calibrate Uranium-Rod Driver
4. Set Voltage on Saturn-Class Capacitor
5. Test Jupiter Wave Complier

There can still be some value in this for advancement of AI and hybrid systems. They decompose the problem of keeping up a conversation into nice simple subtasks with clear interfaces. Some of these subtasks (suggesting replies, evaluating them, keeping notes) can then be further automated or assisted independently to a varying degree, gradually reducing the use of human brainpower. Also, there can be uses for adding such crowdsourced conversation support into otherwise automated systems. Perhaps entertainment robots or something like that.

You remember correctly, people have been doing this for years. I have no idea why TFA calls this "world first bionic eye", perhaps there is something new about their particular method, although it doesn't sound very impressive compared to other options.

Here is a list of some companies producing retinal implants (incl. Bionic Vision from TFA): http://www.upgradeyourbody.com/catalog/bionics/eyes/ At least some of those are already past clinical trials and available commercially.

The latest, greatest breakthrough:
Scientists reverse engineer eye-brain signaling, enabling next generation of implants

More links on retinal implants:
Wikipedia - Retinal implant
1000-electrode implant developed in Stanford
Long-term trials started in Oxford in 2010
Phase II trials of 1500-electrode implant by Retina Implant AG (2011)
Argus II implant goes to market
Bio-Retina 576-pixel implant to start trials in 2013

(the most abused word on Slashdot)

Not sure about NASA, but for Russians, a "road" is whatever place you plan to drive through.

I wonder if Higgs field could serve as something to push against, spending only energy, and not having to carry the propellant mass with you in space travel? Just a wild guess by a complete layman. This could make sending probes to nearby stars a bit more realistic.