"Radio was invented with the original idea that it would replace telephones and give us wireless communication. That implies two-way communication, yet how many

"Radio was invented with the original idea that it would replace telephones and give us wireless communication. That implies two-way communication, yet how many of us own radio transmitters?" Um... all of us? It has been at least five years since I last made a phone call with a landline phone. An invention over a hundred years old at the time that quote was written is now serving us in a way Cringley apparently couldn't envision twenty years ago. I think it's quite reasonable to expect the personal computer still has a trick or two up its sleeve. If the smart phone is going to replace the PC it will have to offer much of what the PC does now - to the point where the distinction becomes irrelevant. In fact I believe the distinction is already irrelevant and in fact downright stupid. It only serves those who for whatever reason want to limit what those pocket sized computers we all have can do. A smart phone can replace the traditional PC - but only when it starts to offer the functionality a PC has now. By which time it will seem funny to call it a phone.