There is a certain quaintness to ten year old theories about the future of computing. If anything the capabilities of personal computers in 2012 were underestimated. People seemed to agree that Bluetooth was set for playing a huge role in handheld devices, even though it's become a bit of a non-event. Also voice activation was seen as the logical way to get rid of the need for texting and tiny keyboards on 'palm top' PCs. It is fair to say that other things, such as OLED screens, wireless internet, and texting growing from a teenage phenomenon, are a lot more accurate.
The hardware of computers has obviously improved significantly, with the constant race to make computers more powerful, meaning that processors have shrunk to handheld size which could have powered a PC back in the early 00s. This is perhaps the most noticeable difference between computing back then and now. Computers have become something that we hold in out palms, and rely on for communication. Smartphones offer a ridiculous array of apps that allow you to 'augment' your perceptions of your environment, such as live GPS maps or star charts. Touchscreen means the keyboard has taken a back seat. The computer has become truly mobile.
For the PCs still in our homes there have been a lot of changes too, namely in the way we use them. Video streaming has improved to the point where getting to watch when you want it is more possible than ever, and OLED screens mean that you're getting an amazing viewing experience too. Better bandwidth has also meant better communication, with live video chat becoming standard.
In the office PCs have changed too. Obviously there's a constant growth in the processing power of computers - so fast in fact that software can't keep up - but recently there's been a move away from workplaces needing to buy powerful PCs to keep up with the times. It's all about hosted virtual desktops, and the ability to let one large and powerful server do the legwork while computers become 'thin-clients.' It might not sound big, but it's a big deal for companies right now.
We've actually seen an enormous amount of progress in the last decade. It makes it exciting to think what the next decade of innovation and social shift will bring.
The hardware of computers has obviously improved significantly, with the constant race to make computers more powerful, meaning that processors have shrunk to handheld size which could have powered a PC back in the early 00s. This is perhaps the most noticeable difference between computing back then and now. Computers have become something that we hold in out palms, and rely on for communication. Smartphones offer a ridiculous array of apps that allow you to 'augment' your perceptions of your environment, such as live GPS maps or star charts. Touchscreen means the keyboard has taken a back seat. The computer has become truly mobile.
For the PCs still in our homes there have been a lot of changes too, namely in the way we use them. Video streaming has improved to the point where getting to watch when you want it is more possible than ever, and OLED screens mean that you're getting an amazing viewing experience too. Better bandwidth has also meant better communication, with live video chat becoming standard.
In the office PCs have changed too. Obviously there's a constant growth in the processing power of computers - so fast in fact that software can't keep up - but recently there's been a move away from workplaces needing to buy powerful PCs to keep up with the times. It's all about hosted virtual desktops, and the ability to let one large and powerful server do the legwork while computers become 'thin-clients.' It might not sound big, but it's a big deal for companies right now.
We've actually seen an enormous amount of progress in the last decade. It makes it exciting to think what the next decade of innovation and social shift will bring.
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