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"QUANTUM SHOT" #19 (rev)
Link - by Avi Abrams

      Future of Personal Computing: From Post-iPad Concepts to
        Pen-and-Paper-Based Anachronisms

      Note, we did not say that iPad is the future of personal computing
      - it is too early to say, for example, how well it performs with various
      professional applications - but iPad is certainly a step toward more
      popular use of computing (even your grandma might get enticed to touch its
      screen and shiny silver back). 
      
      However, the question remains, what's beyond iPad, and is there anything 
      our there beyond the simple touchscreen/keyboard configuration?

      
      (image
        via, original unknown)

      
      (HP concept at the National Gallery in London, 2004 -
        via)

      Holo-Projection Computers

      B-Membrane, designed by Won-Seok Lee in 2008: no monitor needed,
      everything is holographically projected, the keyboard only appears for
      convenience when the base is touched - more
      info:

      
      (image
        via)

      Another easy-to-carry concept is the HOLO computer, by Elodie
      Delassus - more
      info:

      
      (image
        via)

      Back in 2002, NEC Design, Ltd. in Tokyo offered the whole range of new
      ideas, some of which were pretty radical at the time. Many thought that
      these concept have the potential to change the face of personal computing
      in the foreseeable future. Now, eight years later, they still remain as
      concepts - is this a comment on their usability, or just lack of interest?

      Pen-style Personal Computers

      Look closely and guess what they could be... Are they pens with cameras?
      No, much better than that:

      
      
      (images credit:
        NEC)

      This experimental product called the P-ISM, described by NEC
      designers as a "Pen-style Personal Networking Gadget Package." A prototype
      of the system, which cost a reported $30,000 to build, was unveiled at ITU
      Telecom World in 2003 (that's long, long time ago).
      
"P-ISM is a "pen-computer" package including five functions: a pen-style cellular phone with a handwriting data input, virtual keyboard, a very small projector, camera scanner, and personal ID key with cashless pass function. P-ISMs are connected with one another through short-range wireless technology. This personal gadget in a minimalist pen style enables the ultimate ubiquitous computing." Such a pen can easily complement an iPad... but I rather think that the old "(touch)screen, or keyboard" technology may persist for a while yet (the way books keep their staying power over computer monitors). Admittedly, the pen-and-paper combination is the ultimate writing/reading setup that we naturally accept. So it may be only a matter of time until someone develops a marketable and useful product... masquerading as the "smart" paper and the "smart" pen.
Let's see some other cool ideas from "NEC Design": "Tag" - flexible wrist-band communicator It has a soft and flexible shell - so it can be hung from a belt, for example, or wrapped around the user’s arm. Shape-memorizing material and multiple pressure sensors allow the phone to change its shape according to the mode. The user can also alternate the mode by changing the shape: "Flacon" - a virtual storage bottle. We already have the means to store massive amount of information on our various devices - for example, so many images that we cannot possibly see in a lifetime. "Flacon" offers the ways to casually enjoy such huge numbers of visuals. The images emerge on an inorganic electroluminescent display. Appropriate photos are selected according to birthdays, anniversaries, and even matching the mood of a user: "Gummi" - Ubiquitous (and eatable!) candy / media chip The RFID chips are covered in a gummy capsule, and are edible after use. When the play unit is connected to the container (the basic unit), it can be used as an audio player. By setting it in the cradle connected to the display through the wireless, users can also enjoy visual content. The chips are sold in packages just like candies. Blank chips on which users can allocate data will also be available. Left: RFID (Radio Frequency Identity) Chips disguised as candy; the right image shows another disguise - as a colored cute little snails (more info): (images via) Speaking of eatable, drinkable, flexible and completely ephemeral computers... are we going to wake up one day wondering if our dreams during the night were "natural" (i.e. non-digital), or were they pre-packaged and uploaded into our "mood environment" by a pillow-like Walmart-sold device? Here is another eatable (literally) computer. All it needs is the embedded eatable chip: (original unknown) Ephemeral & Wild Computer Accesorries There is a Gun-shaped Mouse, of course - more info (images via) When it comes to keyboards - here is the Bendi Light-Up Keyboard: flexible, shiny thing you wrap around your lap? Is it really as convenient as it looks? (image via) Another "Magical Keyboard" - more info: (image via) Positively glowing with some highly-optimistic "reception bars" is the Wi-Fi Detector T-Shirt (buy it here): (image via) Finishing up this overview of extreme and futuristic computer set-ups, here is an ultimate gaming POD, spotted in Germany: "Emperor", by NovelQuest - buy them here: (images via) ...and probably the most practical for those of us who get continuoulsy rooted to their chair: "WalkStation"... Welcome to your very own web-enhanced hamster wheel! (image via; bottom right is the "TrekDesk", info) Retro-style might get popular again in post-iPad computer design: (image credit: Photoshop manipulation by Dark Roasted Blend, Avi Abrams) CONTINUE TO "WOODEN STEAMPUNK LAPTOPS"! ->



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YOUR COMMENTS::

6 Comments:

Anonymous linton said...

"The chips are covered in a gummy capsule, and are edible after use."

"The chips are sold in packages just like candies."

Like gum with baseball cards. Could be done today... I smell lawsuit :) Nice idea though. RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive) would love them and it would be the first Epeat (Environmentally Preferable) gold if you could eat the entire thing.

___  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

A computer you can eat :) I want one!!!

___  
Blogger Sigivald said...

Nitpick: That's not "holographically projected". It's just a projector. Flat image on flat surface. Nothing "holographic" involved.

(Then again, like most "design" projects, I'm dubious that it was ever functional at all, or that it would be useful in practice.

A curved virtual keyboard with no tactile feedback?

Yeah, that will completely suck.)

___  
Blogger mithril said...

that ultimate gamer POD looks alot like the helmsman chairs from seaQuest DSV.

___  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Given how often I lose pens, I'd be terrified of owning one of those pen computers.

Then again, I think once again design aesthetics is outstripping practicality. How many of these models give the tactile feedback of a regular keyboard?

___  
Blogger Matthew said...

Wow these are GREAT! I love most of those cause I don't know what some are...

___  

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