Experts predict the computer of the future

• Hobbyists of the 1980s who became the early adopters of the bulky and underpowered boxes called personal computers had almost no clue how rapidly computer technology would develop.
• Given the rate of growth in computer power and miniaturization in the last quarter century, it is almost mind-boggling to think about what lies around the corner.
• It might be hard to imagine being tethered to computers any more closely than we are today with smartphones, wireless PDAs, and tablet PCs.
• But Flourney, along with other experts, sees the next major shift in computers as ushering in an era of even more portability and power.
• James Lansford, CTO of semiconductor maker Alereon, is gearing up for a new generation of computers that will use wireless Ultra Wideband (UWB) technology to replace all of the cables that connect computer peripherals to the main PC.
• He said the development will allow consumers to use computer peripherals the same way that Bluetooth technology operates with cell phones and laptop computers.
• With miniaturized PCs that piggyback as part of our clothing, traditional peripherals like keyboards and monitors will become input devices of the past.
• Howard Locker, chief architect for desktop and mobile development at Lenovo, agreed with Young about the demise of the desktop computer in the near future.
• Whatever direction the future of computing takes, consumers likely will continue to rely on networks and the Internet, which means the need for security and safety will remain critical.
• "Security will be in all of our devices and that will enable the PC of the future to share and replicate data to all of our devices on the network all of the time," he said.