Computers have come along way in terms of looks,storage capacity,applications and processes supported.Introduction of gadgets such as iPod,iPhones and the like have revolutionalized the way we have access to computer technology transformng the experience to a "Palm experience."As amazing as it,brace yourself for more advanced,portable and user friendly gadgets.Take a look at this five new looks of your future PC as predicted by Research firm Forrester:-
1. Wearables Forrester describes wearables as"Items worn on or near the body that sense and relay information."Fitness companies have been in the forefront in this field.Nike for one launched its debut wearable back in 2006:Nike.It's a sensor that slips into a sock or shoe and transmits data about the user's run to an iPod or iPhone.Another example is Bluetooth headset maker Jawbone with a product known as Up;a wristband that uses an accelerometer to track a user's exercise activity.A companion app plugs the data into pretty charts for users to analyze.The trend is however not limited to just sports nuts.A start up called BAM Labs focuses on healthy sleep patterns.Customers place a small "TLC" sensor under a regular mattress and the device tracks heart rate,breathing and movement all this touch free.
2. Mini Projectors This are handheld projector devices which let you show off PowerPoint slideshows or endless baby photos on a larger surface.The real power comes from combining them with other technology.A perefect example is Microsoft Kinetic, which uses a projector and camera to create gesture-controlled games.Just as the iPad created tablet mania,a wave of Apple's magic wand could propel projectors into every day use.A patent Apple was granted last year suggest that it has considered embedding projectors in its mobile devices and Macs.
3. Flexible Displays Imagine an electronic newspaper that can be folded up and put in a brief case or a tablet that can shrink down to the size of a cell phone and back up again with no glass at risk of shattering.Hewlett-Packard has such a device which it is hawking known as Flexible Mylar Screen Displays for a variety of uses which include but not limited to wallpaper that changes its design,price tags that update in real time and armbands for military communications.Forrester however predicts this flexible screens will probably hit the mainstream around 2015.
4. Surfaces Microsoft is the biggest proponent in this new frontier.It's surface product,which came out in 2007,lets you interact with both digital items and physical objects.Popular Mechanics described this new phenomenon as,"a coffee table that will change the world."In the U.S, Forrestor expect retailers and marketers will start using more surface displays this year.A recent test project sounds like something straight out of science fiction.A grocery store in South Korea, Tesco Homeplus built a virtual mall in a subway station.Customers simply scanned a QR code under the groceries they wanted and had the items automatically delivered to their homes!
5. Embedded Embedded devices make it possible to turn anything from a pen,washer/dryer into a computer.For instance,the Liverscribe Smartpen,which retails for about $100 to $200 is any college student's dream device.It digitizes handwritten and audio notes.Users can upload their notes to a PC or tap the notepaper to find out what was being said when they wrote a certain note.(How cool is that?!)Forrester expects sales of smart appliances to take off by 2014.
There you have it, five futuristic PC ideas that will become a part of your day to day life in the not too distant future.