Communication has advanced and we don’t recognise phones as just a mode of communication. They have become integral part of our life and an extension of our being. They way technology is advancing in terms of display, processors, quantum network, sensors and advancement in neural network experiments and touchless interaction of man with machine in executing command, it is not far stretched to imagine that gadgets of tomorrow will be different from one of todays. We are not far in terms of some of the element of future, reflected in the movie ‘Minority Report’ i.e. Tom Cruice Movie of 90’s.
Mark Zuckerberg has expressed a vision for the future of mobile phones where smart glasses will gradually take over as the primary computing platform. Zuckerberg has been vocal about his belief that smart glasses will eventually replace smartphones. He compares this potential shift to the historical transition from desktop computers to mobile phones, suggesting that smart glasses will become the new norm for personal computing. He envisions a future where smartphones will be used less frequently, staying in pockets more often while users prefer the convenience of glasses for most tasks. This transition, according to Zuckerberg, might occur sometime in the 2030s.
Zuckerberg has vision that these smart glasses would integrate artificial intelligence deeply, offering holographic interfaces and enhancing social interactions through more natural, hands-free computing experiences. This would not only change how we interact with technology but also how we connect with others in digital spaces.
Mobile phones are not just a communication device but extension of our being. In future it will be an integral part of a broader ecosystem of technology, enhancing our interaction with the world around us in a more intuitive, efficient, and sustainable ways. The future of mobile phones is anticipated to be marked by several groundbreaking advancements across various dimensions, including design, functionality, and integration with other technologies.
Both Meta and Apple are seen as key players in this shift to smart glasses and are among the most prominent in developing this technology.
Apple’s Vision Pro is a groundbreaking mixed-reality headset introduced by Apple, marking their entry into the realm of spatial computing. Unveiled at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June 2023, with pre-orders starting in January 2024 and sales beginning in February 2024 in the United States. It subsequently expanded to other countries like China, Japan, Singapore, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, UK, South Korea, and the UAE by November 2024. Vision Pro blends digital content with the physical world, allowing users to work, watch content, relive memories, and connect in new ways. It’s been described as a “spatial computer” due to its ability to create an infinite canvas for apps that can scale beyond traditional display boundaries. The headset features a curved laminated glass front, an aluminium frame, and includes two micro-OLED displays with a total of 23 million pixels. It’s powered by Apple’s M2 chip and a new R1 chip for handling real-time inputs. Interaction with Vision Pro is done through eye tracking, hand gestures, and voice commands, offering a seamless and intuitive interface. It supports a wide range of input methods, from traditional Bluetooth accessories like Magic Keyboard and Magic Trackpad to direct interaction via hand movements.
The trend towards foldable phones is expected to continue, with these devices becoming more durable, affordable, and mainstream. By 2030, foldable phones might constitute a significant portion of smartphone sales, offering the convenience of a phone with the screen real estate of a tablet. Future smartphones might eliminate physical ports entirely, relying on wireless charging, Bluetooth for audio, and other wireless data transfer methods like NFC or Wi-Fi.
Artificial intelligence is expected to play a central role in making smartphones more intuitive and capable of complex, human-like decision-making. AI is present in todays smart phones and manages smart home devices, health monitoring etc but in future it will be more complex and advanced, especially when connected with 5G, quantum network and quantum sensors. Intel is planning to have one Trillion transistors embedded in chips by 2030 and that will make smartphones capable of all those functions that we can imagine.
There’s interest in developing phones with holographic capabilities or 3D displays that do not require special glasses, enhancing the user interaction with content. Innovations like nanobatteries could lead to smartphones that charge in seconds or minutes, significantly enhancing battery life and user convenience. The evolution of camera technology might include under-display cameras, multiple lens systems for professional-grade photography, or even health diagnostic capabilities like scanning for diseases.
With the rollout of 6G, smartphones could experience unprecedented speed and low latency, facilitating applications like real-time augmented reality, high-definition video streaming, and more. There’s a growing focus on eco-friendly designs, including the use of biodegradable materials, solar charging capabilities, and the promotion of refurbished devices to reduce electronic waste.
Interaction with devices might evolve beyond touch screens to include gestures, voice commands, or even direct thought control through brain-computer interfaces.
Breakthrough in future devices are inevitable and part of a broader trend where technology aims to be more integrated into everyday life in less intrusive ways, moving away from the traditional handheld devices to more immersive and ubiquitous forms of computing. However, this is speculative based on his statements and the current direction of tech development. The actual adoption and success of smart glasses as a smartphone replacement would depend on numerous factors including technological advancements, consumer acceptance, and the evolution of the digital ecosystem.
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