Systems in development

One of the possible means of data storage in the future is Holographic storage.

'Holographic storage works by storing a sequence of discrete data snapshots within the thickness of the media. The storage process starts when a laser beam is split into two signals. One beam is used as a reference signal. Another beam, called the data-carrying beam, is passed through a device called a spatial light modulator (SLM) which acts as a fine shutter system, passing and blocking light at points corresponding to ones and zeroes. The reference beam is then reflected to impinge on the data-carrying beam within the media. This creates a three-dimensional refraction pattern (the "hologram") that is captured in the media.' Computerweekly (2011) Holographic data storage , Available at: http://www.computerweekly.com/feature/Holographic-data-storage-the-next-big-thing (Accessed: 18 of May 2015).

While the system is still in development, advantages and disadvantages have been weighed up by people already. Some suggest the reliability of this method of data storage will be the most realiable on the market and replace the need for clumbersome or fiddly portable devices. However some of the disadvantages include the cost which will be incredibly high in the early stages and the storage which will be no higher than what some USB and most HDD are capable of. Another negative is the possiblity that the drive used will not be compatible with the drives we use today meaning data one has saved might not be accessible in the future