iPod Computing
Abstract:
The future of computers according to
me.
Body:
The current iPod rumor is that the next
generation will features a touch screen the size of the device, with all the
controls on screen. Also in the rumor mill is word that Apple will soon release
an iPod SDK to allow third-party developers to write software for the iPod.
This leads me to wonder if the iPod might fit into what I've been thinking of
lately as a future for personal
computers.
Image a device the size of an iPod. This device has a touch screen, a speaker, a microphone, and a camera for both stills and video. It contains fast, random access memory (some nonvolatile, solid-state, RAM like that found in SD cards, flash RAM, etc.), enough to store about 60 gigabytes (with time you'll be able to get bigger memories), and it has a wireless receiver (either for something like CDMA or GSM or 802.11 or something else). People will carry this device with them all of the time, and it will replace their cell phone, digital camera, and personal computer.
But this isn't really a PDA. Rather, although fully operational as is, it has the ability to plugin to other devices to get better performance. Laptops will come with keyboards, monitors, batteries, and processors, with all other tasks handled by the device. When you plug your device into the laptop, it can use the laptop's input and output devices to deliver you more data and can use the laptop's processor to perform more instructions so when plugged into the laptop you can do more. This alleviates the problem of PDAs today, where they are underpowered and lack the input/output devices to do serious work. Similarly, the device can be plugged into a desktop terminal, offering even more power than when plugged into a laptop.
Desktops and laptops will be device independent. That is, anyone can make your desktop and laptop and it will work with your device. That's because all personal computers will, in the very near future, run on i386 processors, so binaries will be compatible with any desktop or laptop. But your device could also be from one of many different manufactures, so when you plugin you always get to have your operating system and your user experience. All this will be possible thanks to miniaturization, decreasing costs, and customer demand for devices that will operate together.
To get the ball rolling, I think Apple should follow this approach. Once they establish some momentum, they open up the platform to other developers, allowing alternative iPod-like devices to plugin and other desktops and laptops to plugin to. Apple, holding the patents, can make money through licensing while continuing to push personal computers in new directions. By the time the patents expire I'm sure some much better idea will come around that they can capitalize on.
But I'm not giving this idea to just Apple. Anyone who wants to do it, and do it right, I think stands a chance to change the personal computing experience and make a lot of money doing it. I think Apple is the best positioned to make this kind of move, but even one guy in a garage might be able to do it with enough luck, charisma, and know-how.
Steal this idea: I'm begging you!
Image a device the size of an iPod. This device has a touch screen, a speaker, a microphone, and a camera for both stills and video. It contains fast, random access memory (some nonvolatile, solid-state, RAM like that found in SD cards, flash RAM, etc.), enough to store about 60 gigabytes (with time you'll be able to get bigger memories), and it has a wireless receiver (either for something like CDMA or GSM or 802.11 or something else). People will carry this device with them all of the time, and it will replace their cell phone, digital camera, and personal computer.
But this isn't really a PDA. Rather, although fully operational as is, it has the ability to plugin to other devices to get better performance. Laptops will come with keyboards, monitors, batteries, and processors, with all other tasks handled by the device. When you plug your device into the laptop, it can use the laptop's input and output devices to deliver you more data and can use the laptop's processor to perform more instructions so when plugged into the laptop you can do more. This alleviates the problem of PDAs today, where they are underpowered and lack the input/output devices to do serious work. Similarly, the device can be plugged into a desktop terminal, offering even more power than when plugged into a laptop.
Desktops and laptops will be device independent. That is, anyone can make your desktop and laptop and it will work with your device. That's because all personal computers will, in the very near future, run on i386 processors, so binaries will be compatible with any desktop or laptop. But your device could also be from one of many different manufactures, so when you plugin you always get to have your operating system and your user experience. All this will be possible thanks to miniaturization, decreasing costs, and customer demand for devices that will operate together.
To get the ball rolling, I think Apple should follow this approach. Once they establish some momentum, they open up the platform to other developers, allowing alternative iPod-like devices to plugin and other desktops and laptops to plugin to. Apple, holding the patents, can make money through licensing while continuing to push personal computers in new directions. By the time the patents expire I'm sure some much better idea will come around that they can capitalize on.
But I'm not giving this idea to just Apple. Anyone who wants to do it, and do it right, I think stands a chance to change the personal computing experience and make a lot of money doing it. I think Apple is the best positioned to make this kind of move, but even one guy in a garage might be able to do it with enough luck, charisma, and know-how.
Steal this idea: I'm begging you!
Posted: Thu - March 2, 2006 at 06:29 PM |
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Total entries in this blog:
Total entries in this category: 177
Published On: Mar 28, 2007 07:09 PM
Total entries in this category: 177
Published On: Mar 28, 2007 07:09 PM