The visual trend in interface design occasionally mimics interfaces out of past science fiction T.V. shows and movies.

Does it? That's the trend?

Maybe I'm out of the loop here, but the impression I've been getting downloading software for the past year is that UI design is trending in the exact opposite direction. Flat design, a retreat from skeuomorphism and the emergence of UI elements that are "digitally native" and don't reference real world analogs (that are arguably functional, let alone ones that mimic bad sic-fi interfaces from 90's television). That supporting screen cap from the Matrix...just...no. That isn't the trend. Even in 1999 that scene reminded me of the early 80's sitting in front of my primitive Apple IIc "green screen."

Again, my sample size could just be too small and I'm living in a bubble, but dammit if half the buttons on my smartphone UI haven't completely dropped shadows and borders because I'm now supposed to just know that the elements are buttons from experience while they "get out of the way" of the content.