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I agree that we're not moving to a world with only wearable/smartphone computers — why would we? Why would we not want tablets or laptops any more? And why woul

I agree that we're not moving to a world with only wearable/smartphone computers — why would we? Why would we not want tablets or laptops any more? And why would we want our devices to depend on each other (like a tablet or laptop that draws its processing power from one's wearable computer)? We'll continue to have devices in a variety of form factors (meeting a variety of human interface needs), but our data will be synced up via the cloud.

ianterrell 15y ago
The author, however clumsily, is noting that computing and interface are separate concerns. We don't want "laptops," we want a clamshell keyboard and display for ergonomic reasons. Similarly, we don't want desktops, we want a keyboard and a large monitor. We don't want tablets, we want a medium sized interactive touch screen. But I'd be no less happy if the actual computing was done in my pocket by my smartphone while I sat the dumb keyboard/display clamshell on my lap (it'd be lighter and cooler, too, I expect), or held the interactive screen in my hand, or typed on the keyboard resting on my desk. In fact, I'd be much happier, because all the data would stay with my physically 24/7, like my phone already does. All of my separate form-factor input/output peripherals would be working with the same versions of apps and code. On the other hand, if I lost it, I'd cry myself to sleep, so cloud backed up everything would be required. This makes it a not-ok choice for many people for many reasons (privacy, etc), but it's great for the average user doing average things. I see it as a very real possibility that the smartphone will be the CPU, and all the other devices we have will get dumber and dumber.
- mrsebastian 15y ago
  I'm the author -- and yes, you got it in one :)
- Hyena 15y ago
  I'd think that world would be a long ways off for a lot of people. I can't play large games from my phone. There's not even a port of Dwarf Fortress. Sad times.

ianterrell 15y ago

The author, however clumsily, is noting that computing and interface are separate concerns. We don't want "laptops," we want a clamshell keyboard and display for ergonomic reasons. Similarly, we don't want desktops, we want a keyboard and a large monitor. We don't want tablets, we want a medium sized interactive touch screen. But I'd be no less happy if the actual computing was done in my pocket by my smartphone while I sat the dumb keyboard/display clamshell on my lap (it'd be lighter and cooler, too, I expect), or held the interactive screen in my hand, or typed on the keyboard resting on my desk. In fact, I'd be much happier, because all the data would stay with my physically 24/7, like my phone already does. All of my separate form-factor input/output peripherals would be working with the same versions of apps and code. On the other hand, if I lost it, I'd cry myself to sleep, so cloud backed up everything would be required. This makes it a not-ok choice for many people for many reasons (privacy, etc), but it's great for the average user doing average things. I see it as a very real possibility that the smartphone will be the CPU, and all the other devices we have will get dumber and dumber.

mrsebastian 15y ago
I'm the author -- and yes, you got it in one :)
Hyena 15y ago
I'd think that world would be a long ways off for a lot of people. I can't play large games from my phone. There's not even a port of Dwarf Fortress. Sad times.