Corporate Vision Videos,
A Guilty Pleasure

For an optimist, there are no warmer waters to paddle in than videos of the future where technology has indeed brought about happiness and prosperity, even if the Seer has corporate intentions.

Corporate vision videos are videos put together by large coporations that normally want to promote a certain direction. They aim to show a future, normally one which increase their revenues, but also which tries to see technologies put to good use in a variety of contexts. It's this demonstration of uses that I love, seeing someone's excited feverdream of a technology being used. To see the glossy imaginations brought to life feels somewhat inspiring.

In this article I want to share some vision videos I've loved in the past, predominantly by Microsoft and NTT Docomo in Japan.

Before we start, as a disclaimer, these videos were published at a time when the global geopolitical situation was less turbulent than it is now (in 2024), so they all come off as a little naïve through modern eyes. We'll start with the oldest and come back to the newest. A trip down memory lane can sometimes be a pleasant introduction.

Microsoft "Meet the Family" 1999 Concept Video

The first vision came out in the late 90s. Windows 95 was the main choice of OS and compared to its predecesor (Windows 3.11) it was an ambitious revisioning of how PCs fit into every day life. Windows XP was not yet out (2001) but mobile computers and small touch flat screens were on the market. Windows CE 1.0 came out in 1996 and the UK company PSION brought out the Series 5mx (I had one).

In short, touchscreens were around, but their graphics weren't powerful and to use the internet on these devices you had to make an infrared connection to a phone just to get GPRS at a speed of 85kbit/s which was fast compared to home modems (56kbit/s), if it worked.

This vision showed a world of big flat touchscreen PCs, with high-gloss interfaces, video calling, and an internet which was everywhere, even on a small mobile PC. It shows an internet of inter-connected services for licenced video download, ticket buying, and agents collecting news reports for the user. Inspirational.

Microsoft Future Vision in HD - Windows Home Concept

This next vision came out around 2003–2004. By then Windows XP was the dominant OS, with the Media Center Edition (2002–2005) pushing home entertainment as a central feature of the PC. The Xbox had been out since 2001, and Microsoft was betting on a future where the home computer was the hub for everything from TV, music, communication, to even smart home control.

At the time, Microsoft was promoting the Athens PC, a concept device built with HP, shown at WinHEC 2003. It was a sleek all-in-one machine with VoIP calling, a flat-panel display, and wireless peripherals, essentially an early take on what modern iMacs would later become.

Meanwhile, Windows Longhorn was being developed, with promises of a completely new graphics system, a relational file system, and a future where files were no longer just documents, but seamlessly integrated media like photos, music, and videos, something that would become reality with smartphones years later.

This vision, showcased in promotional material, imagined a world where the a new Windows Home Center PC was at the heart of the digital home. Telephony and video calls were still uncommon, but the Athens concept hinted at a future where they would be standard. It was part of Microsoft's early 2000s push towards a connected digital lifestyle before the cloud, before streaming, before smartphones took over.

Microsoft: Productivity Future Vision

This vision came out post-2016, at a time when Microsoft was shifting away from a Windows-first approach towards cloud, AI, and mixed reality. HoloLens had launched (2015–2016), pushing augmented reality (AR) into enterprise applications, while AI-driven collaboration tools were becoming central to Microsoft 365.

This was the era of foldable devices, pen interfaces, and digital workspaces. Concepts that would later evolve into Microsoft Loop and Sway promoted fluid, collaborative work. The vision showcased a world where massive wall screens, wearable tech such as Microsoft Band, and natural interfaces made computing more seamless. It hinted at AI-assisted work, with real-time overlays and holograms. Bill Buxton’s influence on interaction design was clear.

The scuba diver’s AR display showed Microsoft’s ambition. A future where computing was everywhere, responding to context, enhancing reality, and transforming industries. Less about traditional devices, more about how information could exist naturally in the world around us.

Microsoft Office Labs Vision 2019 - Healthcare, Retail and Banking

This vision was created in 2008 as part of a series of three videos. It introduced concepts such as using a TV as a primary computer, mobile devices interacting seamlessly with larger screens, and data flowing effortlessly between authorised devices. This was before cloud computing became widespread and before seamless data sharing across the cloud was common. The video also showcased ideas such as health tracking, chrome-less user interfaces, built-in GPS location services, interactive surface displays, NFC tags on medicine bottles, digital wallets, and biometric authentication through thumbprint recognition.

Set in 2019, it promoted a future centred around mobile-first productivity, digital retail, and IoT-powered services. At the time, iPhones and Android devices were rapidly gaining popularity, and Microsoft was envisioning a future where mobile technology would drive everyday tasks such as healthcare, shopping, and banking. Windows Mobile was still in the picture, but Microsoft was already struggling to compete with Apple and Google.

The healthcare segment imagined wearables and mobile health tracking, foreshadowing devices like the Apple Watch and Fitbit. The retail section showcased AI-driven shopping assistants, smart signage, and mobile payments, similar to what Apple Pay and Google Wallet later brought to life. The banking concepts introduced early ideas of mobile banking, biometrics, and digital assistants. While this vision aligned with Microsoft’s push for Windows Mobile, Surface, and cloud-based services, the company ultimately failed in mobile but later found success in enterprise cloud computing through Azure.

Microsoft Productivity Future Vision

Set in 2025, this vision was posted in 2014 and promoted AI-driven digital assistants, the Internet of Things, and smart collaboration.

By this time, Microsoft had already missed the mobile revolution and was pivoting towards cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and enterprise collaboration. Satya Nadella had just taken over as CEO, and the company was redefining itself around AI, Office 365, and Surface devices.

The video featured smart glasses with real-time translation, foreshadowing both HoloLens and AI-powered tools. Gesture-based interfaces and floating screens pointed towards the evolution of Surface Hub, Office AI features, and collaborative platforms such as Microsoft Whiteboard. The smart concierge and seamless IoT integration reflected Microsoft’s early vision for Azure IoT services, which later developed into workplace automation and smart environment solutions.

This was Microsoft showcasing its AI-first strategy, shifting its focus from hardware to a broader ecosystem of services and intelligent computing.

NTT DoCoMo - Vision 2010 - Old School Friends

Set in 2010, this vision was likely released around 2000 or 2001, promoting early mobile internet, location-based services, and video calling.

At the time, NTT DoCoMo was at the forefront of mobile innovation. Its i-mode service, launched in 1999, had already brought mobile internet, email, and mobile commerce to millions in Japan, years ahead of the West, where mobile data was still in its infancy.

The vision highlighted several key ideas. Location-based services allowed users to reconnect with old school friends through mobile tracking, an early concept of social networking combined with geolocation. Mobile video calls were showcased at a time when NTT DoCoMo was actively developing 3G, which launched in Japan in 2001, enabling real-time video communication. The expansion of i-mode reinforced Japan’s position as a leader in mobile internet, imagining a future where connectivity was seamless and deeply integrated into daily life.

By 2010, the landscape had changed dramatically. The iPhone, launched in 2007, and Android, introduced in 2008, had surpassed DoCoMo’s original vision. While Japan had pioneered mobile internet in the early 2000s, Western smartphone platforms ultimately redefined the global standard, shifting the industry’s focus from carrier-controlled ecosystems to app-driven mobile computing.

NTT DoCoMo - Vision 2010

This vision was again set in 2010, and released between 2002 and 2003. It promoted mobile wallets, smart cities, and seamless communication.

By this time, NTT DoCoMo was already pushing the boundaries of mobile technology. It had begun rolling out FeliCa, an early mobile payment system that later evolved into Suica, Pasmo, and Osaifu-Keitai, Japan’s first-generation wallet phones. While much of the world was still reliant on cash and physical credit cards, Japan was pioneering contactless payments, NFC technology, and an interconnected urban experience.

The vision focused on a future where mobile payments were used everywhere, from convenience stores to public transport. It imagined seamless smart city experiences where daily life, shopping, and travel were interconnected through mobile technology. Augmented digital interactions were also a key theme, with early versions of what would later become QR codes, NFC payments, and AR-based services.

By 2010, Japan had already made this vision a reality within its borders. Mobile payments were widespread, and smart city infrastructure was well established. However, the rest of the world lagged behind. Technologies like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and mainstream NFC adoption outside Japan didn’t take off until 2015–2020, proving that Japan’s early vision of mobile-first living was way ahead of its time.

NTT DoCoMo - Vision 2020

Set in 2020, this vision was released around 2010, promoting AI assistants, predictive technology, and augmented reality.

At the time, Japan was still a leader in mobile innovation, but its global influence was beginning to wane with the rise of the iPhone, Android, and cloud computing. NTT DoCoMo was actively researching 5G, developing AI-driven smart assistants, and exploring augmented reality for mobile interfaces. The company was envisioning a future where mobile technology would anticipate user needs, creating a seamless digital experience.

The vision imagined AI-powered predictive services, where phones would suggest transport options, schedule meetings, or recommend purchases based on user habits. It portrayed an advanced smart city where people navigated urban life effortlessly through AI and IoT integration. Wearable technology and digital overlays were a key focus, foreshadowing products like Google Glass in 2013 and Microsoft HoloLens in 2016.

By 2020, Japan had successfully deployed 5G, but the broader AI and AR vision had not fully materialised. Instead of context-aware AI shaping daily life as imagined, voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant became the dominant form of AI interaction. Augmented reality remained a niche technology, with limited adoption outside of specialised applications.

Microsoft Vision for Hybrid working

Lastly, to bring us back to today (or at least post-Covid) if you've ever wanted to see an idealised version of hybrid working, with holographic screens floating in the air and a company that actually has a well organised onboarding process and online resources, you'll want to see this. The video is a promo for the Microsoft Viva suite of tools for hybrid working in Teams, but it serves as a good vision of how things might be.