The title of this post caught my eye right away. Jeff Hawkins (Palm, Inc.) has said for many years, “The future of personal computing is mobile computing.” And what a mobile future we have in store for us!

it will be nice to be able to have mobile devices that can be set with text or audio-based “away” messages. automatic answering with audio based away message allows caller to hear why you’re “away” send txt, proceed to VM, etc. integrate it with the phone’s calendar and have automated silencing and notification of callers of users’ preoccupation. ive been waiting for this for years!

Quikie comment: I had a zaurus for a while with a keyboard placement similar to the entry image. It’s hard having to hold a device while using your thumbs so close to the bottom of it.

I keep waiting for someone to release a device with the keypad above the screen to take advantage fo the fact one’s thumbtips are above one’s palms.

Bill Gates has described the allure of the Internet as “information at your fingertips,” or something to that effect. With mobiles, that concept is fully realized. But, how long will it take to develop content that is fully optimized for the smart phone browser? What’s taking so long?

I don’t care about the future–tends to be bubblespeak–I want the capabilities now.

To be honest, if HTC had put a lot of RAM and a faster processor in the Wizard, it would have been perfect. I am not sure whether they are trying save batteries or limit part costs (or both), but building a phone sub-spec is a major mistake.

Oh dear Lord that’s a hideous device.

Speaking particularly to the issue of keyboards, I’m using the Nokia E61 and it’s much more usable than anything I’ve had previously in that configuration (the keyboard at the bottom of the device). All in all it’s a pretty good combination of phone and mobile device, though there’s definitely room for improvement. An E61 with a touch screen would be pretty delicious.

I had a Zaurus too, and its keyboard was only marginally usable. One trick that has worked for me with the E61 is to use one thumb (left, I’m a rightie) and one index finger, instead of two thumbs.

salivating… droooool … now if only it didn’t weigh a ton and umm.. find a perfect 10 girlfriend with it… then it would be so great… oh well back to deal or no deal…

Om,
I have been very optimistic about Mobile and its applications. I hold a entirely different view - East will have a larger say, unlike the internet. I thought so in April and once again now after Google Mobile Labs have been aggressive about India and China. Now the thing is should we call thie Mobile 1.0, Sr Wrirer like you and your colleagues in the FM are probably the best people to do it ;)

you guys in silicon valley keep doing what you are doing. it’ll come eventually. keep the flame going … but not like the Nero kind … cause he got a little too crazy with the whole flame thing. Now about that NERO CD thing…

smiles

p.s. still waiting for my integrated gallium arsendie/silicon carbide nanotubular tricorder

Jeff, I would say the primary reason for the small RAM and processor is battery life. A mobile computer is pretty useless if it needs to be recharged every 3 hours. The RAM and processor would be plenty, if Windows Mobile weren’t so faithful in imitating all of the other Windows variants’ bad habits.

Mobile is going to be huge - we even heard Larry and Eric talking about this at the Google Zeitgeist in the UK - there is a good Q&A video of the session.
(link) picture/2006/05/thereisamust.html

Sorry this link should work;
(link) picture/2006/05/thereisamust.html