The future of computers, is always under threat and up until recently that future has been rather safe. The expectation that computers will be in their current form with (almost) monthly incremental changes and yearly leaps and bounds in technology updates is no longer holding ground.
The threat now comes in many forms and on many fronts. Laptops, once the darling of the mobile form of computing are now under threat from tablets and smart phones. Cloud computing is encroaching on the domain of internal and external hard drive storage. And consoles are gaining ground on the once found savior of PC computing - massive multi player games.
The world of electronic entertainment and windows/Apple based computing is changing so rapidly so are finding it hard to keep up with all the changes. Yet why is this happening and why so rapidly?
One answer which may help is other technologies are providing the same or similar functions with lower entry barriers.
Smart phones like the Samsung Galaxy, HTC Desire and Apple's iPhones have introduced to us the power of mobile on the go computing, resulting in lower weight and ease of use through a go anywhere device.
Tablets also have a light weight and are easy to use through apps, small software programs that run similar to installed software programs on a computer. A smaller footprint than laptops and easy to use apps gives it a slight advantage.
Software apps are self contained software programs and almost every single app benefits from running in its own memory sector, hence a difficulty for the environment of the app to run or operate virus or trojans.
These hardware and software technologies allow for a lower entry of use by the generations as well. Benefited by a lower cost and a remarkably high uptake by Gen Y's and Gen Z.
How can computers compete? There are many functions and uses for computers yet, especially in the corporate and business world and will be for many years to come. Yet for personal computing, this is definitely one area they are and will continue to lose ground.
Lower entry requirements for personal computing
Lower power consumption
Lower costs
Lower requirements to program apps
Broader impact on a global use scale
All these will impact on the future of computers, as we know them.
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