Mobile Computing Outlook for 2007
Mobile computing with smart technology. That's what it's all about. It's more than faster processors and increasing RAM requirements. It means creating hardware and software that resolves the things people want and need: ease of use, convenience, functional utility, and entertainment. That's why many of the mobile computing innovations for 2007 are so exciting. They let you do things you could never do before, do them faster, and keep you productive.
Mobile computing technology is advancing so quickly that we now have a notebook that locates wireless networks and connects automatically, a cell phone that provides detailed directions while traveling, and a digital camera that frames your subject for you.
Mobile Computing Connections
PDA's continue to develop with new features like video-playback, higher resolution screens, and available support for several wireless options. With superfast processors, the latest mobile computing handhelds could replace your current laptop.
In addition to getting larger, digital camera displays are getting better, so images on the back of cameras more closely resemble the true capture quality. The way people are taking pictures is changing. Many digital camera buffs are using the LCD on the back of their cameras to frame, compose, and share pictures. Because of this trend, the manufacturers are responding.
The current crop of mobile camera phones and smart phones are taking on many of the features that are prevalent in PDA's. Camera phones are already outselling standalone digital cameras, and towards the end of this year we'll start to see camera enhanced cellular phones with multiple pixels. They'll also support video calling anywhere in the country, as the wireless carriers develop higher speed networks incorporating Wi-Fi and nationwide coverage.
Smart phones are developing laptop-like features including keyboards, lots of memory, BlueTooth and Wi-Fi, and high-resolution color screens. Smart phones are exploding because an increasing number of these are tapping into high speed wireless networks. They'll never catch up to notebooks in terms of processing power and a smart phone will never replace a laptop for multimedia performance, text work, or screen size, but they do make a good pinch-hitter.
Mobile Computing Entertainment
Portable media options are skyrocketing. Why carry just a standalone MP3 player? Or just a straight portable DVD player? The new portable media players allow you to store thousands of songs, hundreds of photos, and depending on the size of the hard drive, up to 320 hours of pre-recorded video to watch.... anywhere, anytime, and at your leisure. All this mobile computing technology is now available in a 6.9 ounce package. Portable video, when you have the chance to use it is truly awesome.
Mobile Computing Laptops for 2007
What about laptops? Two mobile computing extremes are happening now: There's a move towards large-screen systems with built-in TV tuners like the Toshiba Qosmio series and other entertainment options on the one hand, and on the other are super-tiny ultraportables designed for true mobile professionals that are always on the move; whether it's over the road or in the air.
Intel has an upcoming Centrino upgrade that will enable faster performance and the first integrated graphics solution that will go head-to-head with video cards, and yet enable longer battery life.
Regardless of the device you plan to carry for your mobile computing needs in 2007, I'd say it's going to be a very exciting year.