Diaries of a Nokia Fan Boy

Ok, so these are my thoughts on the future of mobile computing, and the writing of the article was inspired by a specific device envisioned by Ericsson’s Life in 2020 (flash). The opinions I’m going to present here aren’t new; in fact, the original ideas are as much as 3-5 years old.

To begin with, let me touch on the device that inspired me to write on this: Ericsson’s Spider Computer. The device, if a little creepy looking, isn’t necessarily that ridiculous. Its basically a miniature computer (think: pocket PC), with alternate forms of Human Interface Devices. Instead of the standard bulky screen, the device uses a miniature projector to project images onto a wall or other flat surface; and the hardware (or on-screen) keyboard is replaced by a laser keyboard projected onto a desk or, again, other flat surface. Now the idea itself is great, however there are a couple limitations: you need two flat surfaces, at least one of which needs to be a uniform color, preferably white (I know, white isn’t a color, bite me). There is no privacy, in the sense that you can’t hide what you’re projecting from someone else, and in a dark room it will disturb others.

Projected Keyboard

Projected Keyboard

Spider Computer - Folded

Now, lets consider the technology behind this idea, and this is now my own ideas. There are basically a set number of aspects: hardware (processor, memory, hard drive, etc.), video output (projector), input (keyboard), power (battery, or other), connectivity (WiFi, 3G, etc.), miscellaneous.

Hardware:
The hardware is pretty simple. I mean look at your regular smartphone: 500+ MHz CPU, 128+ MB RAM, 8+ GB Hard drive (including memory card), plus other necessities like GPU, various chipsets. Now this phone is capable of rendering high quality images, the quality generally constrained by the display as opposed to the processing power. The phone is also capable of rendering websites, performing calculations, playing music/videos, etc. So the hardware already exists.

Video Output:
The video output is also out there – just look at all the pico projectors out there. Those are large, agreed, but that is because they include a battery, processor, etc. The projector itself is actually no bigger than the top part of your thumb (you know, the one after the knuckle). So the video output is out there.

My vision is that the video output will be handled either by holographic screen projected above the device, or will project directly into your eyes or onto a worn headset. Of course these particular technologies are still a little ways off.

Input:
The input is easy: just search for “Virtual Laser Keyboard”. And sure, it still costs a fortune, but that device is ages old (generations in computing terms). So clearly, this is covered

My vision is that this will end up using muscle readings, or input via directly manipulating the screen and voice control. Of course, these too, are a little ways off and aren’t quite ready.

Power:
This gets a little tricky. On the one hand, we have wireless power and this device could easily benefit from it. On the other, it would be nice to take the mobile computer with you wherever you go, and for that you will need either battery (far too large for the time being), or solar (not efficient enough yet). So the power aspect is a little lacking.

Connectivity:
This really falls under the hardware section, as its really just another chip, but this is out there too. Maybe the only part of this that’s a little difficult is the power consumption of current generation chipsets.

Miscellaneous:
Ok, this is the “nice-to-have’s”, the things we can live without but would be nice. For instance: audio output. I’m not going to write much in here, however you should understand that the device is never truly complete, and this section will be different for different people. So look at what you believe should fit in here and consider whether its realistic, and how far away the technology is from being available to the consumer, and how far away from being mainstream.

Putting it all together:

Well the sleek, spider-esque device that we see isn’t a reality at the moment, and at the moment we already see what we can have. I do believe, however, that the already built device could be reduced in size many times by simply designing the circuit boards and interconnections specifically for that device.

The only question that remains is the practicality of it all. I mean if its just for emergencies, we have our smartphones capable of doing the exact same thing.

And for prolonged use won’t make any sense since a physical keyboard will always be better than a virtual one. However the projector may be nice.

What would be nice to have, is a foldable display, which would unfold to 20″+, and have all the components built-in, while communicating with a Bluetooth keyboard such as the Nokia SU-8W.

Anyway, these are just my thoughts and opinions, maybe I’ll put it a little more concisely and create my own little page out of it.

-Nokia FanBoy

Ericsson Life in 2020
via: Engadget (read)