4 ms·

I think what I'll be using in 5 years is a 4 ghz device the size of my phone, which can be connected to external displays and input devices. I can already use b

I think what I'll be using in 5 years is a 4 ghz device the size of my phone, which can be connected to external displays and input devices. I can already use bluetooth keyboards and mice with my phone. Once it can attach to a 1900x1200 monitor I won't need anything else.

sorbus 16y ago
I would think that a 2 or 3 Ghz device with between four and eight cores would be more likely. However, everything else you suggest seems spot on - or at least I would hope it to be spot on, not being a time traveler.
roadnottaken 16y ago
Very interesting prediction. That's the first serious alternative to traditional desktops that I've ever considered. Essentially you're using your phone/mobile-computer as a desktop when you need it... so you're not really moving away from Desktop computing. But I could see this taking hold.
- code_duck 16y ago
  Yeah, I don't see the need to use a desk going away any time soon after all. Laptop docks are already popular due to this, why not mobile device docks that work the same way?
bryanlarsen 16y ago
It might take less than 5 years. Both Motorola and Lenovo introduced an Android phone with a "laptop dock". Google for the "motorola atrix dock". It'll be a little while before it's useful, but it doesn't look like it'll take 5 years.
- code_duck 16y ago
  It might be that long before we get what I really want, a monitor that rolls up into a little scroll I can stick in my pocket!
DannoHung 16y ago
Hey, you're already a little bit of the way there with stuff like AirPlay. Please excuse my Mac Fanboyism, but it is really freakin' cool to just be sitting on the couch, pull out your phone and bam tune-age.
mortenjorck 16y ago
That's what I've thought for awhile, too. As far as enabling technology, we're pretty much already there, with phones such as HTC's EVO 4G that can output HDMI. Add some VRAM and you'll have desktop resolutions. There's probably already half a dozen devices at CES that do that right now. On the UI side, there's some more work to be done. I haven't yet seen anything that comes close to transitioning between the very different worlds of direct-touch smartphone interfaces and decoupled desktop interfaces. The broadening of handheld interfaces into tablet form factors as well as the gradual introduction of mobile UI elements and paradigms into desktop UIs, though, should ultimately bridge the gap.
- code_duck 16y ago
  Definitely, there are some really big opportunities regarding interfaces in that department. When someone plugs in an Android device into a normal monitor and uses a mouse, I guess a different launcher/home screen could come up?
Legion 16y ago
Except long-elusive battery breakthroughs.
ippisl 16y ago
Combining hd telepresence with such a phone , and a dock connected to a big screen tv could be a really nice feature.might even make hd telepresence more viral.
abuzzooz 16y ago
Why wait five years? You should be able to get a Motorola Atrix within a couple of months: http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/06/motorola-atrix-4g-hd-multimedia-dock-and-laptop-dock-hands-on/ http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/06/motorola-atrix-4g-hd-mult...

sorbus 16y ago

I would think that a 2 or 3 Ghz device with between four and eight cores would be more likely. However, everything else you suggest seems spot on - or at least I would hope it to be spot on, not being a time traveler.

roadnottaken 16y ago

Very interesting prediction. That's the first serious alternative to traditional desktops that I've ever considered. Essentially you're using your phone/mobile-computer as a desktop when you need it... so you're not really moving away from Desktop computing. But I could see this taking hold.

code_duck 16y ago
Yeah, I don't see the need to use a desk going away any time soon after all. Laptop docks are already popular due to this, why not mobile device docks that work the same way?

bryanlarsen 16y ago

It might take less than 5 years. Both Motorola and Lenovo introduced an Android phone with a "laptop dock". Google for the "motorola atrix dock". It'll be a little while before it's useful, but it doesn't look like it'll take 5 years.

code_duck 16y ago
It might be that long before we get what I really want, a monitor that rolls up into a little scroll I can stick in my pocket!

DannoHung 16y ago

Hey, you're already a little bit of the way there with stuff like AirPlay. Please excuse my Mac Fanboyism, but it is really freakin' cool to just be sitting on the couch, pull out your phone and bam tune-age.

mortenjorck 16y ago

That's what I've thought for awhile, too. As far as enabling technology, we're pretty much already there, with phones such as HTC's EVO 4G that can output HDMI. Add some VRAM and you'll have desktop resolutions. There's probably already half a dozen devices at CES that do that right now. On the UI side, there's some more work to be done. I haven't yet seen anything that comes close to transitioning between the very different worlds of direct-touch smartphone interfaces and decoupled desktop interfaces. The broadening of handheld interfaces into tablet form factors as well as the gradual introduction of mobile UI elements and paradigms into desktop UIs, though, should ultimately bridge the gap.

code_duck 16y ago
Definitely, there are some really big opportunities regarding interfaces in that department. When someone plugs in an Android device into a normal monitor and uses a mouse, I guess a different launcher/home screen could come up?

Legion 16y ago

Except long-elusive battery breakthroughs.

ippisl 16y ago

Combining hd telepresence with such a phone , and a dock connected to a big screen tv could be a really nice feature.might even make hd telepresence more viral.

abuzzooz 16y ago

Why wait five years? You should be able to get a Motorola Atrix within a couple of months: http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/06/motorola-atrix-4g-hd-multimedia-dock-and-laptop-dock-hands-on/ http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/06/motorola-atrix-4g-hd-mult...