Back in the days of glam metal and the Berlin Wall (the
eighties, people), a company called Motorola was testing a brand new piece of
tech. In theory, it was a device that enabled you to communicate with anyone on
the planet, anywhere, at any time. This technology (codenamed "Cell
Phone") was an instant hit, garnering critical and consumer acclaim. It
sounds a bit odd when you consider that the first few models were about the
size of a brick, but that just goes to show how far we've come.
In the years since then, we've made huge advancements in
both the technology and aesthetics of cell phones. Today, you can buy a phone
that folds up in your pocket for convenience, that will show you exactly how to
get from where you are to anywhere on the earth, and that can even respond to
verbal commands. Basically, everyone now carries a small computer with them at
all times.
Among numerous other advancements, the interface for cell
phones has changed drastically. We've gone from numerical keypads to phones
with a screen that you can touch to command (à la Star Trek). These screens
have been increasing in quality since their invention, cumulating with Apple's
"Retina Display", a screen with such a high resolution that it is
said that the human eye cannot distinguish any further increase in quality.
Since we've pushed the two dimensional screen to it's
highest possible variety, we have to ask, what's next for cell phones? 3D
displays? HOLOGRAPHIC displays? Microsoft is already working on a pair of
glasses that work as a mobile computer, calling, texting, and connecting to the
internet, but what if we lose the physical apparatus altogether? Personally,
the whole "Pinky & Thumb" approach works well for me.
Wave at the future, folks.
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