How long before desktops are obsolete?

[Convergence]

Year's ago, back in the dark ages circa 2005, the domaining circles where all abuzz about the future of mobile marketing.

I have to admit, that back then, I was skeptical. I stated on more than one occasion, "who the hell would want to surf the internet or watch video on a screen not much larger than a book of matches?"... Weeeeeeeeeeeeell, let's just say I was mistaken on that one.

Fast forward to 2011 - cell phones have gotten larger, notepads are getting to be the norm, and laptops are shrinking to compete with cell phones and notepads.

So, the question is: "How long before desktops are obsolete?"

Does this mean toolbars will be replaced with "apps"?

Who will hang on to using desktops? Developers?

Will we just use our cell phones / notepads to connect wirelessly to our 50" LED televisions instead?

C'mon FedEx, deliver my new smartphone...

[~Ed~]

Good question. I think many people will replace their CPU with portables (phone, pad, tab...) and peripherals will be used on the desktop via docking. I don't think people will leave full size keyboards and mice (and desktop monitors) behind because it's just too hard to work in the form factor of the small devices. I don't think the desktop CPU will die though because not everyone would need mobile computing, particularly business types.

[Bob L.]

I second that emotion.
With my big hands, I don't like cell phones. And don't intend too.
I have a hard time hearing on them, and have never been able to dial one.
So the desktop will be around as long as I'm able to use it.

[Kathy]

ok guys lol a reality check for ya. Thinks anybody who is using their desktop for actually working that requires seein things very well lol will still use them.


Ummm, brace yourselves now but ........ I don't own a cell phone would love to but just can't afford to. Was thinking I might finally get one (for safety purposes actually cos had the phone go out on me and it took them if I remember correctly 4 or 5 days to fix it. (at that time we used that for the internet too so felt completely isolated) Changed to cable for online for that reason. Health care insurance is killin us so can't afford to have one.

Point tho is, I'm probably the exception but I know people who don't have cell phones or computers. Think all the computer smarties (that's a compliment to all of you who are real smart regarding techie matters) just kinda assume everybody is like them. There are a whole lotta people still out here that are waaaaaay behind you tech speaking so am sure they'll still be on desktops. Don't have any of these: cell phones, notepadsor 50" LED televisions

[Convergence]

Originally Posted by Kathy

Point tho is, I'm probably the exception but I know people who don't have cell phones or computers. ... Don't have any of these: cell phones, notepadsor 50" LED televisions

Ah, but in Affiliate Marketing you have to be able to target SOMEONE ONLINE

If they are not online, can't very well sell them anything.

Seeing more and more traffic from cell phones, not so much from other browsers, ie: Android 3.0 for notepads.

Years ago, just about everyone had party land lines, then their own land lines, now cell phones and other wireless devices. There are now more cell phone users who only have cell phones than land line users.

Think about that...

[Kathy]

"Ah, but in Affiliate Marketing you have to be able to target SOMEONE ONLINE"

yeap, certainly true Am not sure what the future holds cos I definitely can see a day when more and more business is conducted online (think it would be cheaper to do so )

Don't know where that leaves the poorer people tho if that happens. Definitely don't wanna go anywhere near towards a political discussion lol It just is a fact that not everybody does have access to a computer, etc. especially older folks in either some big cities or rural areas. If more and more shopping is done online opposed to stores then what do they do? I know if they're poor they're not doin a whole lotta shopping but as it is now the big city poorer areas don't have banks or supermarkets. Everybody does need the basics like umm underwear, socks, etc so if it got to the point where everything was online then what would they do?

I guess I will agree with ya that probably will become the future, just not sure what people like me will do. lol

Still can't comprehend myself tho for example buying clothing if I'm lookin at them on a teeny screen. I want details lol how on earth can ya really tell what you'd be gettin with a teeny screen.

Agree with ya and am also seein more cell phones, etc. usage in stats too.

"There are now more cell phone users who only have cell phones than land line users."

oh no.......I really do feel like a dinosaur now cos I don't even have a cell phone Pssst.... will confess to somethin. We don't use the phone nearly as often as before. Hubby actually corresponds with some people with email where he never woulda done that before.

From a discussion a while back tho there was one problem with just using the cell phone. Least this is what was said. In the case of 911, they can't trace the cell phone call to where you are the way they can the landline so in cases of emergency that can be a problem. Also, guess am just used to disaster phone calls in middle of the night. Am not sure the cell phone woulda rocked us outa bed the way regular phone has. Not as loud maybe?

[~Ed~]

It's definitely easier to target mobile devices than it used to be. You had to develop a WAP site that's geared to the format of the old cells that were short on graphic capability. Now even the most complicated graphic oriented website can be navigated on modern devices. So 'targeting' mobile devices is more of a strategic process than a design process.

[Convergence]

Originally Posted by Kathy

From a discussion a while back tho there was one problem with just using the cell phone. Least this is what was said. In the case of 911, they can't trace the cell phone call to where you are the way they can the landline so in cases of emergency that can be a problem. Also, guess am just used to disaster phone calls in middle of the night. Am not sure the cell phone woulda rocked us outa bed the way regular phone has. Not as loud maybe?

Google knows where you are - they could call for help...

[~Ed~]

Originally Posted by Convergence

Google knows where you are - they could call for help...

Ha! If there's a reason to resist buying an Android phone, that's it...

[Convergence]

Apple knows as well. Both were invited to Congress to ask why they know what they know without the users knowing it...

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2383984,00.asp

[~Ed~]

Well, I upgraded my phone last week. The contract on my Omnia (Windows Mobile phone) expired about a year ago. Since then I added a second line to the cell account for a netbook that I used when I was traveling earlier this year. Now I don't need cell service for the netbook as I use it exclusively on WiFi. So, I decided to transfer my available Omnia upgrade to the netbook line and upgrade the netbook to a new phone. I figured I could shut off the line my Omnia is on and buy a new Windows 7 phone. Everyone I talked to tried to talk me into buying a Android rather than the Windows phone. And Verizon offered just one Windows phone. That should tell me something. I finally relented and upgraded to an Android with the largest screen they had. Hate to admit it, but Android is a joy. What's more, I don't do much texting so I have never paid for texting service. The rest of my family texts and I have to pay for each one I receive [and send]. I decided to use a Google Voice number so all texting and SMS messages are free. I'm in fat city except for one thing... I was not able to cancel line one. Transferring the upgrade created a new contract on my original line and I now have two cell phones.

[Kathy]

Sounds really nice I'm still a dinosaur lol hubby has a cell phone he uses all the time for business (being a contractor he's always places with no phone since umm building a house doesn't have em yet lol ) Umm, but I'm probably one of the few people in the world tho who still doesn't have a cell phone. lol

[Convergence]

Yeah, hate to admit it but I like my Android. Once my neighbor saw my phone he dumped his iPhone and got an Android. Said it's better than both the iPhone and the Blackberry he had before, as well...

[~Ed~]

I had fretted about how to get wallpaper I created for my Omnia to the Android, and also a bunch of custom ringtones I made. Much ado about nothing! I plugged the Android into a computer, created some folders on it's SD card and copied the files in. Went to the sounds options on the phone and lo and behold, there they were without me doing ANYTHING to get them to show up. Same with the wallpaper. I dare Windows to do that! This phone has 32GB of memory too, so I won't be running short anytime soon.

And yes, not only are phones taking over the computer world, also the camera world and the video camera world. This thing shoots vids in HD! That would eat up 32 GB pretty quickly. Just have to offload them frequently.

The one complaint I have is about retrieving email. I still refuse to use Gmail for email, especially since I have my own mail server. I can't figure out how to get the email to retrieve more often than every 30 minutes using POP mail. Other mail is adjustable.

[Bob L.]

Does that mean I can't send you more than 2 emails an hour?

[Convergence]

Originally Posted by ~Ed~

The one complaint I have is about retrieving email. I still refuse to use Gmail for email, especially since I have my own mail server. I can't figure out how to get the email to retrieve more often than every 30 minutes using POP mail. Other mail is adjustable.

You try IMAP?

[~Ed~]

I have to open up a port through the router for IMAP. May be more trouble than it's worth, but I'll probably end up doing it anyway...

[~Ed~]

Originally Posted by ~Ed~

not only are phones taking over the computer world, also the camera world and the video camera world.

...and the GPS world.