The first notion of a hand held computers appeared on our screens during episodes of Star Trek. Mr Spock holds his Tricorder, which is essentially a lap top computer with a built in scanner. You can see from the image the basic design incorporates a screen, possibly a fraction smaller than the modern Mobile Phone Screens which often have a size range from 2 inch to 3.5 inch in size.

Little did the creators of such sci-fi movies realise that they would have inspired a myriad of technological advances and indeed items that are now in every day use.

One other feature of Spock’s Tricorder was that he used to play it like a Harp, which is amusing when you consider that modern mobile phones include entertainment features such as games like Guitar Hero, audio and video players.
Clearly scientists identified that there would be a need for an analytical device that could also have a multiple purpose, including communication and entertainment.

Current Mobile Computing

The notebook computer, is extremely popular, small and more portable in comparison to a standard size Laptop and easily fit into bags etc, but a computer is all that it is. "Yes I agree with what you are thinking" with a voip phone attached you can make calls. Attaching a bluetooth dongle allows you to share files, you can play games and send email. But all this adds weight and size to the note book and makes it  less practical as a portable computing device. 

So what is the future of mobile computing?

Mobile Phone technology has advanced so much that phones have become thinner, smaller; and at the same time processing power & storage capacity have increased to make the modern mobile a multi media device. This has also led to some mobile phones being designed with built in Qwerty keyboards.  Therefore, does this mean that the age of the Notebook Computer will be short lived, as it is much easier for us to carry around the Qwerty Keyboard Mobile Phone

Example Handsets

The LG KS360 has a slide out Qwerty Keyboard so that the user can easily type away while browsing the Internet or sending an e-mail.

The Nokia N97, this phone comes with a 5-megapixel camera, has a touch sensitive screen, and a Qwerty Keyboard, as well as a plethora of usefull office and entertainment features/software all wrapped up into an ergonomically pleasing mobile.

As more applications are added and the consumer gets used to working on a smaller screen, the notepad computer may in the near future only appeal to business users who are travelling long distances via public transport. For the average person on the street, the mobile with a Qwerty keyboard I beleive will be the better option as it can be used anywhere, is small and compact, a telephone as well as being a means of surfing the Net, e-mailing, entertainment and visiting Social Websites.

Do you have an opinion on any of the points made above, or do you simply agree or disagree with the thoughts of the author?

Author: Phill Chesters