Computers in 2012 . . .

[dimmreaper]

If you haven't yet, I suggest you read Ed Stroligo's piece on computers in the future here.

I pretty much agree with everything he is saying, except for:

"The typical computer of 2012 will be specialized. You'll have communications/entertainment/basic business computers. You'll have gaming/entertainment computers (some no doubt will be built into HDTVs). They'll be much simpler to use simply because they won't be designed to do everything; just a few things well."

I don't think they will be specialized. I think they will do everything, but do it cheaply and easily enough for the masses.

[Pinky]

I agree Jeff, they will be pretty much "do it all" machines... the market's already leaning that way today...

[mookydooky]

Everything will be wireless...which is good 'cos I'm getting pretty sick of wires. If they can only figure out a way to wirelessly power computers, that would be DA BOMB.

[Winkie]

Originally posted by mookydooky
Everything will be wireless...which is good 'cos I'm getting pretty sick of wires. If they can only figure out a way to wirelessly power computers, that would be DA BOMB.

There are ways, but they work on inducing current as far as I know, and that is dangerous

[mookydooky]

Originally posted by Winkie



There are ways, but they work on inducing current as far as I know, and that is dangerous

Current induction tech leaves a lot to be desires. I think the best they can do now is recharging electric toothbrushes. I'm not too hopeful for tech that requires lightyear advances. I read some stuff about microwave before. I think that may have more potential if it weren't for the possibility of betting baked. Regardless, hopefully they'll come up with something.

[dimmreaper]

Yes microwaves can be recieved and rectified in to DC electricity, it is known as "wireless power transmission". Japan, NASA, and the Departement Of Defense have been shelling out huge amounts of cash on R&D of this technology for the past decade. Supposedly the microwave beam is low enough in density to not cause any harm, you would just "feel warm" if you were exposed to it. In the near future the technology will be developed well enough for the US military to power remote or temporary facilities. In the more distant future it may be used to beam down energy to remote collector facilities from orbital photovoltaic cell arrays. The advantage to having the cells in orbit rather than on earth is that they would be exposed to approximately 8 times the light. I think more research needs to be done on the enviromental and biological effects of long term low density microwave exposure before such systems are allowed to go online, but the idea seems to be a good one.

[Winkie]

In a way jeff, but I'm worried about the "getting warm" part, as in what happens to a spoon in the way, does it get warm, or get painful?

[dimmreaper]

If you or a spoon are put in direct sun light you get warm too. There are lots of kinds of radiation. The question is not "Is radion harmful?" but "How much of this type of radiation does it take to cause irreversable harm?"

It'd be interesting to know if these large arrays of cells will block enough sun light to cause "global cooling" Oh what a tangled web we weave!

[Kris]

beyond 2012, we will become one with our computers...

they will be implants with direct nervous systems interfaces run on biochemical power (our bodies electrical charge)...

they will be the ultimate in "specialized," each will be as unique as a fingerprint...