A couple of weeks ago, ZDNet blogger Jason Perlow wrote about advances in TREKnology. (Note: ZDNet is a sister site of TechRepublic.) Here’s an excerpt:

The original series, based on a “Wagon train to the Stars” Western turned Sci-Fi adventure concept envisioned by Gene Roddenberry, Dorothy C. Fontana and Matt Jeffries which ran for a total of 3 seasons from 1966 to 1969 is the basis for the feature film prequel/remake which is being released this weekend, nearly 43 years later. In the span of those four decades, many of the gadgets and technologies showcased in STAR TREK and in the revival shows and feature films which followed it in the 1980s, 1990s and the 2000s did eventually come to fruition.

He then outlines some of the real-world Star Trek technology that came to fruition in the communications, IT, and medical industries. A few examples he provides are: the “Communicator” was the inspiration for the StarTAC, and the “Memory Talk” technology appears in iPods, DVRs, and other devices.

Read his entire post and then discuss: Are there any real-world devices inspired by Star Trek that should be included in his list?