An earlier article, I mentioned how the smaller device (i.e.
Smartphone) would become the centre of personal technology. It certainly has gone that way over the past
few years, with most consumers now carrying a Smartphone. Cellular devices that are NOT at least first
generation smart devices with screens are becoming more and more rare. Even my parents are now iPhone users!
We still see the need, however for the tablet and the laptop
(for a keyboard if nothing else). There are
still needs for larger screens and more human sized interfaces. Many human interface devices interconnect via
Bluetooth wireless protocol, which has recently become much more advanced and
efficient.
We will see a shift in the next three stages of personal
computing technology that will hinge on the advancement of wireless technology
as a whole; all protocols, from Bluetooth to wifi to Cellular.
First stage – A shift in the center
As many of you know from some of the past articles, we love
technology that is built into a watch.
It could be either a Dick Tracy or Knight Rider worship thing, but
mostly because it’s really cool and convenient.
Even Steve Wozniak called out for Apple to look
toward more wearable technology.
The first stage will see the center of the technology shift
to the wearable device itself. The
wearable device will be the heart/brains.
The larger interfaces, handsets, tablets, keyboards, screens etc will be
linked to this piece of wearable tech.
The wearable tech could either be a watch, glasses (Like
Google Glass), pendant or something new.
This device will be the local memory, and network/internet connection. Tablet and laptop-like interfaces will become
as generic and interchangeable as Bluetooth earpieces are to our Smartphones.
Second Stage- Access from Anywhere!
The next stage will be more subtle, and it’s happening
now. Most of our files and information
will be accessible from anywhere. Cloud
(such a trendy word) based information or internet accessible servers will be a
local source for data and applications, and it won’t matter on what device you
are on.
The wearable tech may shift to become the internet or
network interface and the secure personal gateway to private information.
Third Stage- It’s all in your head
Several teams at Princeton and Berkley are making real
advances in mapping out brain electrical configurations and mapping them to
specific thoughts. It’s a reasonable
assumption that a mental interface bay be developed. It may not completely replace hand gestures,
voice, touch-screens or keyboards for quite a while (at least for business),
but it may appear in the next 5-10 years for personal or consumer interaction.
Just don’t leave it on in your sleep!
This NEEDS to happen
As nice as all of our mobile technology is, all of our
devices suffer from the need to be constantly recharged. There is a huge market for portable batteries,
solar panels and anything to compensate for the ever growing demand for
portable power.
Until a miniature, practical, generator, fuel cell or REALLY
extended battery technology is developed, we will be constantly tethered.
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