We all love our computer, it is powerful, gives access to internet, it entertains us, even some of us see in their computer the best friend they ever had (no, not me!). But since mobile devices are gaining in power and features from day to day, and mobile broadband getting more accessible, I feel like this could be the beginning of the end for the common home computer.

I have been regularly using PC's since 1992, and I have seen many new technologies changing my approach of this common device. But now, there are so many things I am able to do with my smartphone that sometimes, I could spend entire week without opening my laptop at home.

Nowadays, smart phones are gaining more and more capacities, they are full of features and embeds more powerful hardware, these enhancements are pushing home computer more and more to the cave. Let's face it, our androids, nokias and iPhones replaced our PC's in so many casual uses (I am talking average uses, not developing, calculating ...etc).

With the constant need for instant connection, and unstoppable technology innovations, I feel like we are probably going to see the end of the home computer, with its enormous keyboard, big and noisy central unit, the –it’s so not matching our Ikea design- monitor, and the maelstrom of cables, all that stuff is slowly but surely joining the old large TVs, the turntable, and the fax in the pit of forgetting. 

First came the smartphone...

My first smart phone allowed me to get rid of my CD, MD or MP3 players, I was able use emails and chat interfaces anywhere, I was able to save time by doing my daily emailing on my way home, so I could use my PC for more dedicated tasks (Surfing, videos, gaming, developing...whatever else my smartphone couldn't do). Few years later, I exchanged my device for a newer one, supporting wifi, embedding a nice 1.3 mp camera, and able to read some video formats (with low quality), again less use of PC, and more on mobile.

Today, my middle range smartphone can do so much more, I can surf, enjoy video, streams and podcasts, socialize, edit pictures I took with my 8.1 mb camera, even sample some breaks from my local 16Gb mp3 collection.

Off course, I still use my computer for some advanced uses; more of them are related to document writing, development, web design, sites administration…, but not often anymore. These tasks can’t be conducted without a large screen, a keyboard, and a good powerful hardware such as mine (for those interested, I have 5.9 on Seven evaluation, beat me!).

...Then the slate

With the raise of multimedia slates (iPad...etc), I feel like this is going to be a new tough era for the home computers, as these new devices gives more possibilities that classic computers are capable of, with a better size and less weight, allowing more casual and comfortable use. 

Just as computers, slates offers a large screen, a comfortable Keyboard, a good level of hardware and a touch screen....whatever you need to do more on your slate and even less on your computer. 

And due to it design, the slate allows users to discover a better way to enjoy their multimedia at anytime, with more comfort.

With the amount of companies announcing their own version of this new device, it looks like it is going to have success and create new uses, especially in private entertainment domain.

So , what's next?

In few years, all our common computer uses will migrate to a single device that will feet on our pockets, something that would be like your personal digital device.

In addition to all what smartphones and slates offers, it should be able to replace every task you still use a PC for:

Loose your mouse and your keyboard:

The mouse can be easily replaced by touch screen technology, also motion recognition works very fine (whatever it is linked to your finger or your eye).

Keyboard is obviously the only part that cannot be thrown away, but instead of shrinking, it could be replaced by a virtual keyboard projected into any surface you could type on, not to mention some actual smartphones are offering very comfortable mini or touch keyboards.

Everywhere display:

No more VGA monitor at home, today almost flat TV screens are VGA capable, newest are equipped with wifi, in the near future , it is easy to imagine your device being able to connect to any display extension available (TV, digital frames...). And in case you can't find any screen to display your desktop then what about projecting your display right to a wall? with embedded mini projector, it is totally possible.

Unlimited data storage:

I am not sure I need to mention this point as we are already over-drowned by gigabytes on phones and memory cards, and free offers for online storage are cheaper every day. I would believe that local storage might also disappear in few years.

Quick, easy and everywhere charge:

 

One of the incoming technological revolutions is the wireless power charging, it has been already used for over a decade in some domains that require cutting edge technology, and now you can easily find lights that uses this technology for charging. 

And because future devices are meant for nomad usage, what about your battery being charged on a vending machine when you are away from home, you insert a coin, you put your battery into it, 10 seconds after, you are done.

I wouldn't go further mentioning the private cloud concept, SaaS, online desktops...etc, these also are future revolutions that will change the common conception of computer uses.

Feel free to share your opinion about this topic, and further on, you can also participate to this discussion that is linked to current subject.

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