We have cellphones, miniature computers, and cellphones that are miniature computers, but there is still more technology out there. If we look to science fiction, there are plenty of concepts that we can use to improve our everyday lives and help to insure total world domination (insert evil laughter).
With computers came viruses, and with cars came drunk driving. Just like it has in the past, with new technology comes fears of backlash and consequences, but the benefits can often outweigh the consequences. And really, these ideas are borrowed from science fiction. I think that says something about how far away they truly are for us...
Flying (Electric) Cars
Ok. It's time. Really, I'm ready. Flying cars, and electric cars, should be regular features on the motorway (and the sky). But they're not. I'm pretty sure flying cars that take us across the ocean are even further away, but the world would be a much happier place without international airports.
Voice Commands (that actually work)
Remember back when cellphones started with voice technology? You
were supposed to be able to program the phone, press the button, and
say "call mom" and your phone would, well, call mom. But it didn't
always work out that way. Sometimes it called Tom instead of mom, and
sometimes it didn't call anyone at all. A feature that was supposed to
make your life easier only made it more complicated. The same thing
happens when I call the cable company: sometimes I get Spanish instead
of English. We need to get voice commands under control before we even
attempt to build robots.
Robots
Lots of things fall into the category of "robots". From laundry that
does itself (color sorted, folded, and put away properly, of course) to
an actual Rosie who can do everything for you, robots are awesome. Ok,
sure, there's the whole fear that artificial intelligence will develop
actual intelligence and take over the world (Cylons, anyone?) but it
doesn't have to be that way! They can be our friends, and they can be
quite helpful. Sure, the might end up cutting out our labor force and
taking away jobs, but just think how much more efficient we'll be.
Time Travel
This is a big old can of worms, but it's always worth mentioning. How amazing would it be to be able to travel back in time and spend a few extra moments with your friend/family before they died? Or, even something as trivial as remember to inflate your tires at the gas station so you don't get a flat tire. Yeah, yeah, we can't change the future, and I'd probably be the first person who screw up and tell Anne Boleyn that she was about to lose her head and to knock it off.
Meals in Pill Form
I like eating, but it just takes so much time. Not to mention skill - not everyone can cook a souffle or other fancy delicious dishes. Maybe Willy Wonky had the idea with the gum that took us through a three or four course meal? The concept of eating a pill, or chewing a stick of gum, and enjoying an entire meal without that unpleasant overly full sensation seems pretty awesome to me. Not to mention it would be a lot easier to sneak broccoli in with that pizza for the kid who refuses to touch anything green.
Intergalactic Space Travel
I am not a big fan of flying, so the idea of going into space doesn't appeal to me all that much. But! Offer me the promise of living in space and settling on other planets, and my eyes light up. WALL-E wasn't just a cartoon: at the rate we're going, Earth is going to run out of resources pretty soon. Firefly wasn't just a great TV show for me, it was a portrayal of what could happen to us if we keep neglecting Earth. But space travel isn't all about doom and gloom, let's not forget the potential discoveries we could make.
Cloning
I know, we cloned Dolly. This probably one of the most controversial topics on the list - and for good reason. I don't want to grow human beings, but the technology can be extremely useful if used ethically. Imagine the number of lives that could be saved by if it was possible to clone human organs for transplanting? The wait list for transplants can be devastatingly long, and many people die before it is even their turn. Cloned human organs could save a lot of lives.
Mind Altering Technology
I guess this technically exists in the form of some medications used for psychological illnesses, but it's not quite fully developed yet. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and Dollhouse recently mainstreamed the concept of mind altering technology, and it's all abuzz with controversy. Are these people really volunteers? Can they consent if they are unaware? Of course, there is the concern that our core personalities will be altered or that the technology will be used for devious purposes. But look on the positive side of mind altering technology for a minute. Say goodbye to pedophiles, serial killers, and rapists: with enough psychological research and advances in technology, they could be a thing of the past.
This isn't even close to a comprehensive list. Shoes that repair themselves, robot pets, and shrink rays probably could have made the list as well. What scifi tech do you wish for the most?
Image from Mositronic.