The computer of the future will be your mobile phone

By: Luigi Martin

These days, many devices are "converging". There is nothing new
about it. Everyone will tell you that in a few years time, you
will be able to buy a mobile phone that is also an FM radio,
digital camera, PDA, MP3 player, universal remote control, USB
drive, clock, have untold wireless connectivity protocols, and
computer (with web browser, email & other general computer
abilities).

Many experts would hesitate to include the "computer" in the
above list. They mention many technical difficulties, such as:
screen resolution, keyboard, pointing device (mouse), processor
speed, heat dissipation & battery life.

I argue that Similar arguments can be made about laptop/notebook
PCs. Take a look at many offices today, & you will see many
laptops being used as a normal desktop computer. People will
connect external mice, keyboards & monitors & then you hardly
notice you are using a laptop.

Now, you are also seeing many wireless keyboards & mice... All
that is missing are wireless monitors. The reason that there are
no wireless monitors is most likely because there are no
wireless protocols that can handle the sheer volume of
information that is sent to monitors.

Once wireless monitors become feasible, the paradigm shift to
using your mobile phone as you PC is very easy to make.

In fact, your mobile phone will truly embody the meaning of the
word "PERSONAL computer": you take it with you wherever you go.
While using the built-in screen will give you limited PC
functionality, as soon as you walk into your office or home,
place the phone near the wireless screen/keyboard/mouse, and
press the "synchronise" button on these devices, and they will
automatically become extensions of your phone.

You can surf the internet, read emails, & play games using your
phone as the computer, except a hi-resolution screen & a full
keyboard & mouse will make it much easier to do what you want.

As far as I can see, the major piece in the puzzle that is
missing, is the ability to connect a mobile to a monitor
(regardless of whether the monitor is "wireless")

All the building blocks for this scenario are almost in place,
so the next few years should be quite interesting.

If anyone in the Brisbane area needs assistance with their
computer, please take a look at: http://www.ComputerAid.net.au