Smartphones,
like today’s iPhone, are as much a computer as they are a communication
device. Besides having a great multi-touch interface and fast CPU, they
contain sensors like cameras, gyros, accelerometers, GPS and compasses.
They allow us to calculate and communicate anytime, anywhere.
In the future, they’ll evolve into personal mobile computers (PMC). Assuming that Moore’s law
holds true, mobile CPUs with near super-computing speeds will be
entirely possible. The number, accuracy and performance of sensors will
grow, the combination of which will give the user a very powerful sense
of her surroundings.
Your PMC will move to your wrist and take the place of your watch. (Microsoft had this vision with SPOT,
but the technology came too early and was too limited.) The device’s
display will not need to be your primary user interface (UI), so the PMC
can be a small, diverse fashion statement like today’s watches. The
primary UI will become personal peripherals, like information glasses
and headsets. You’ll be able to interact naturally in a visual and
audible way.
Your PMC and personal peripherals will become your interface to every
other computer, device and machine you interact with. The only UI you
will ever need to know is that of your PMC.
Not only will your personal peripherals allow you to explicitly
interact with the digital (and physical) worlds, but they’ll also
provide subtle cues to your subconscious. While looking through your information glasses, a restaurant might emit a subtle, warm blue tint because it was reviewed positively by patrons. It will feel like a good place to eat. Are your spidey senses tingling?