We’ve seen how the portable computer market has changed tremendously throughout the recent years. Laptops became increasingly popular as affordability increases. Then, the rise of extremely affordable netbook machines priced as cheap as $200SGD allowed everyone to own a personal computer. At the same time, the rise of smartphones also kept us pondering upon the future of computing. Now, tablet computers and slates are the here to stay. Where exactly are we heading next?
There is a recent trend that we are moving towards, that is a creation of a more humanized way of interaction with computers. It’s human nature to touch. Unlike the computer mouse, a user will learn how to operate a computer in the matter of seconds with touch interfaces. In my opinion, laptops/notebooks, netbooks and tablet PCs will all be touch enabled. Touch interfaces are going to revolutionize the way we interact with computers in the near future. Forget about your mouse as it may soon be a thing of the past.
With the launch of Windows 8 on the 25th this month, a whole new lineup of touch enabled devices will be added to the market. As many already know, Windows 8 is a new Operating System that is so touch friendly that it does not really make it interacting it with a computer mouse. Windows 8 IS made for the touch interaction. There will be a significant decrease in conventional non-touch screen laptops with the influx of these new systems and conventional laptops will be pushed out of the market. I strongly recommend everyone to not buy any “new” conventional laptops as it is not where the future of mobile computing is at. The industry is heading towards creation of more touch enabled devices, and there is no doubt about that.
cnet’s recent interview with an Intel’s executive revealed the direction where the company is going. Moving on with the industry trend, they say that : “Ultrabooks, ‘every screen’ eventually touch”. (http://news.cnet.com/8301-1001_3-57510103-92/ultrabooks-every-screen-eventually-touch-says-intel/) It seems that both Intel and Microsoft are working hand in hand to ensure that the industry is moving towards the direction. Microsoft too today announced their touch friendly websites, Bing and MSN. (http://msnblog.msn.com/blogpost.aspx?post=64eb3e22-271b-4424-a5ce-475435a93d56) Long ago, Microsoft Outlook.com was already reinvented to be touch based too. The next thing that we will see with the touch craze and revolution? Websites that are made for touch interfaces. IT/ Web designers HAVE to start thinking about creating applications and websites for a touch future. There is no way you can run away. There will be a rise in creating touch enabled websites soon. Will it be a new area where entrepreneurs and seasoned service providers can start tackling, forming a new IT market?
With more funds put into researching on machine/computers interaction, what could be the next breakthrough? Keyboard typing is the next target. Will a new way of putting characters into computers be developed? What about natural input by speech? There’s just so many possibilities that interaction with machines can move forward to, making machine-human communication so much more humanized and easy to learn. You may not even have to learn!
Laptops? They may be eliminated, but not so soon. Probably it will take 20 years ( one generation?) more before it becomes a Nokia 3310 in the Apple iPhone/ Android Smartphone era.
Now with all these touch talk, I wonder what the next generation of MacBook will be like. Are you thinking what I’m thinking? Now who is copying?
Recommendations to stay in trend :
1) Don’t buy conventional laptops now unless you need it. Invest in a better touch enabled laptop/ device in the near future with Windows 8’s launch
2) Ultrabooks may look sexy and thin, but if it’s not touch enabled, it’s not what you want. You can’t have a full Windows 8 Experience without a touchscreen!
