Can smart phones drum computers out of our lives?
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Browsing on phone (left) vs PC (right) |
Well, what´s the better option?
The underlying trend is quite clear cut and easy to see – cell phones are becoming smarter and more functional, while computers are getting smaller and thinner. There´s also another factor playing a major part on the market – affordability, i.e. price. A top of the range smart phone costs about just as much as a mainstream notebook. The thing is you can easily get a decent smart phone at a far lower price than a laptop. As of today, PCs offer more power and bang for your buck in terms of processor frequency and RAM, but… Is the difference that huge really? Contemporary computer CPUs run at speeds between 2 and 3 GHz, but 1 GHz processors are about to overtake cell phones as well, the upcoming Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset comes to mind here. While computer processors have remained where they are for quite some time, smart phones got halfway there at a fell swoop in less than year and a half. It seems new cell phone generations are coming out much faster now. Smart phones may well get where computers are really soon. As for RAM itself, computers still hold the lead with one, two and above-gigabyte capacity, while the current smart phone standard is meager 256 MB. Doubtlessly, this can change in a snap if necessary, just the way we saw it happen with personal computers. In this line of though, it won´t come as a surprise if we see some decently performing, affordable cell phones really soon, carrying the advantages of pocket portability.
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Gaming on phone (left) vs PC (right)" |
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We just have to mention that cell phones are being designed with their pocket-assistant function in mind and are hardly meant to play games on. That is why they are so competitive when it comes to accessing and surfing the Internet. Not last, QWERTY keyboards are getting all the rage on mobiles. Manufacturers have grabbed the opportunity to captivate more customers and portable keyboards can now be seen even on feature phones. The underlying reason? A growing number of people eager to chat on popular social networks.
Well, computers still have an ace up the sleeve though - the mouse. Saying that the mouse has brought about a new era of interaction between people and computers is by no means a farfetched conclusion. But cell phones have also found their way to counterattack and it´s called a touch screen. It allows you to do the same thing you use your cursor for - indicate and confirm your choice. Touch screens have been picking up momentum and we are dead sure more is in store, even if for no other reason than merely… fashion. They have a major advantage over the mouse though, the multi-touch technology, i.e. the ability to recognize two or more simultaneous touch points. Imagine how much more work you´d be able to complete if you could use two mice at the same time!
Is the good old PC doomed to oblivion?
Let´s have a look ahead at what future may look like when it comes to smart phones and computers… This shouldn´t be an uphill battle, since we already know much about the plans of many leading companies, including Microsoft (for good or bad, the Redmond Giant has already managed to secure its leading role in the mobile industry), to converge and even blend cell phones and computers together into a single device. Our thoughs on the matter? Let´s just follow the reigning trend. We do expect to see devices offering both pocket portability and mainstream computer productivity soon enough. Pocket size technological marvels that will allow us to talk to other people, surf the Internet, go through documents and play present-day games anywhere we go, anytime we want, without the need to carry about several different devices. Are computers doomed to extinction when ultra fast smart phones begin to take over? Hardly. We believe computers will be around for a long time. Cell phones are bound to get better performing devices as time goes on by and ultimately make our work equally comfy no matter if we are idling away on the sofa or working at our PCs.
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26 Comments
1. att_agent posted on 20 Oct 2010, 01:43 0 0
hmmmmm they will naver "replace" computer duh!!!!! this is the stupidest thing i have ever heard / phones have the possibility of being dropped or liquid damage there too much of a risk of data loss /people loose there phones every day sry but the most stupid thing i have ever heard in my life. well that comes after saying the pre will save palm
3. jskrenes posted on 23 Apr 2009, 07:53 0 0
The two biggest obstacles cell phones face in replacing computers are interface and battery life. Processing capabilities notwithstanding, there are things that are just a lot easier to do with a (comparatively) big screen and a keyboard. With the advent of infrared keyboards, built-in projectors, and the like, that will become less of an issue. Battery life is another problem. There are some interesting battery technologies on the horizon, but as it stands now, batteries aren't keeping up with current usage. Add in faster processors, projectors, more wireless connectivity (bluetooth, wifi), and battery life is a major issue.
4. iammclovin804 posted on 23 Apr 2009, 08:30 0 0
i hate how they are comparing a phone to an alienware pc.
5. nel21 posted on 23 Apr 2009, 09:00 0 0
Can you play FSX or any high end hardware required games on a phone? Run Visual Studio? or make advanced macros on a WM6.1 Pro using Excel?? I am a Software developer and I have made apps for several platforms and owned Symbian, Palm, Win Mobile and Blackberry OS and will never replace my Viao Laptop and XPS Desktop it is the most stupid add I have ever read. Get a life who ever wrote this.
6. drewsky posted on 23 Apr 2009, 09:19 0 0
I think the only thing cellphones can replace are Digital cameras. I know they can't right now, but if the quality of cellphone cameras improve, what would be the point of buying a digital camera if you had an high-end cellphone with 8mp, Xenon Flash and all the features ( or close enough) of a digital camera. You'd have two devices in one. That's just my opinion. I really dont think a cellphone could replace a PC either.
21. kaneroxs posted on 03 May 2009, 03:33 0 0
to true but then you think about the optical zoom people will want that and it will make the phones bulkier
25. drewsky posted on 13 May 2009, 20:35 0 0
Yea thats true, but just maybe "they" can make the optical zoom on a cellphone without making the phone too thick. Me personally I could do without the Opticall zoom but it would be nice to have it.
8. Howtoodo? posted on 23 Apr 2009, 10:17 0 0
The idea of a cell phone replacing a pc isnt to farfetched at all, nor is a a stupid thought. i remember when phones juts got color screens lol now they do alot of stuff. just loook at the sixth sense video on the projector phone. that once projected on to a surface, u can mainipulate the info, browse read over docs send emails like this story stated they r becoming more portable right? portability is awsome hence why we all have a frigggin cell phone. i think at some point they will either merge together and ull just have cell phones or more so the home pc will become a run up to the cell phone.
10. Legion posted on 23 Apr 2009, 10:53 0 0
No, it is stupid. Maybe you think its possible becuase you barely use your electronics but there is an abundance of reasons why that is a foolish statement
17. Howtoodo? posted on 24 Apr 2009, 11:08 0 0
yoo its not stupid sooner or later its gonna happen, what happens to every gadget as time prorgresses?? they perform better and get smaller. maybe not 2mrow this will happen but 10 years from now hell maybe even 5 years we will seee some powerrr house cell phone as oppose to a power house mac or pc. either way our generation is screwed bc we have becoem so dependent on technology we cant think past not haven it.
9. att_agent posted on 23 Apr 2009, 10:20 0 0
cmon people have more pictures on theyr phone then theyr camera becuse you always carry you phone which has a DUM DUM DUM a *camera* its a no brainer why carry two cameras........
13. shimmyx20 posted on 23 Apr 2009, 12:27 0 0
My phone has certainly made me use my computer less, because I don't have to go to it to look up random stuff on the internet or on youtube, but I agree with most of the people here, a phone will never completely replace my computer.
14. bartoolz posted on 23 Apr 2009, 12:35 0 0
Ok, I think everyone needs to calm down and take a step back for a minute. This article is directed more at the average computer/internet user who uses their computer for reading emails, creating documents and surfing the web. "...We often need to read emails, go through documents and do our job on the run..." No self respecting gamer would buy a phone to play their games on, or to do any serious programming. Now granted I have a game or two on my phone, but they are cheesy and just used to tide me over until I can get home and get my fix for hardcore mass destruction.
15. vzw fanman posted on 23 Apr 2009, 14:17 0 0
if all you do is check your emails now and browse the web, there is no reason you should have a computer in the first place
16. Kiltlifter posted on 23 Apr 2009, 21:11 0 0
You are all stupid. IMB's president and CEO in the 80s said that no one would ever nned a computer that had more than 20mb of ram and 200mHZ processor. Eventually your notebook will be your cell phone. Over the air internet servers will supply your "precious" data as your device will wirelessly sync directly with it. This sort of thing is already available. By 2040 the desktop computer will not exist for personal use. go towww.oqo.com. If they made that with cell phone capability you could just carry taht with you and use a bluetooth headset, and that is here and now. BTW that device was made early 2007. I bet in 5 years, apple and microsoft phones will have nearly the exact same interface their computer counterparts do and support approximately 50% functionality. My computer in 1998 had less hard drvie space, less ram, and less processing power than my cell phone does now... So you really think that your Vaio or MacbookPro won't be able to fit in the palm of your hand in 10 years? If you don't think so, you are a fool. Granted there will be better computers available then... BUT what you do "now" on your best desktop will be in your hand by 2025. For an example fo where cell technology is headed, you can also look for the Nokia Morph article somehwere here in phonearena. That is the future, and if not it is pretty damned close.
18. crd22 posted on 24 Apr 2009, 20:40 0 0
Phones will NOT replace computers. Thats like saying phones will replace televisions. I have a touchscreen phone, but it is NOTHING compared to a mouse or even a mousepad. PCs will always be superior to cell phones in every performance and graphical issue. (yes... macs are also pcs) I'm just saying the truth, and I want to see somebody live a week with only their smartphone and not pc. Ain't happenin.
