Faith Valencia

Not long ago, a tech savvy reader noted an essay I'd written on mobile smart phone technology and how far we'd come since the first cell phones had been introduced. Specifically they'd asked why I didn't mention "Maxwell Smart and his battles with Chaos" and how his shoe phone got him out of quite a few difficult situations. After all, most of our technology in the mobile smart phone space really was just science fiction back in the 60s and 70s. Okay so, let's talk.

Now then, I'd say that imagination in future concepts is the key. Science Fiction today is tomorrow's reality, right? One thing I've always noted is the difference between the pre-Internet, fax machine, and cell phone days and today, especially when it comes to business applications. You see, I believe that there is a fundamental understanding that comes from doing without those technologies, and that wisdom helps one better leverage the newest technology as they come forth.

For instance, I skipped the PDA and held onto my day planner (old tech) during that time since I already had a very expensive $5000 laptop when those PDA technologies were coming forth, it seemed to me to be a duplication, one I really didn't need, as I was very efficient with my day planner, "To Do" lists, and relied on my memory to get me through the day for the rest.

There was an interesting article recently in the Wall Street Journal on April 16, 2012 titled; "Google, Oracle Head to Showdown," by John Letzing and Steven D. Jones which discussed all the court battles for patents going on in the mobile smart phone space.

Now then, forget about the on-going legal battles in this space for a moment, because I'd like to make a comment about how these patent wars are actually hurting consumers, and not assisting companies bring forth the technology, rather slowing it into the market place.

You see, I'd submit to you that the future changes in the advancement of mobile technology is actually being slowed down by these patent wars, by the patent process, and by the cost incurred for the legal staff and billion dollar court awards from these lawsuits. Perhaps, by now we'd have holographic video phones with hologram performers by now, if the tech companies could get on with the business of delivering the future today.

Speaking of the future, the kids going to school may get onto a self-driving school bus and in the future we may have flying school buses or no school at all, rather a holographic immersion system, learning by Avatar in your living room. The future of thought-swapping Buffstream social networks is coming, along with PhD brain chips, no college needed, but this will mean folks must better understand the fundamentals to do something great with it.

Your smart phone would be a brain chip, connected to your Google Goggles and you'll be living your life in augmented reality, straddling two worlds, and enjoying both as one - your new reality. Now then, think back a couple of decades - look how far we've come so far? Yes, see what I mean, we've come a long way, but as Ray Kurweil and the Singularitists have advised we may be in for a hyperspace in technology and nothing today will be similar to that of tomorrow.

It's going to be quite exciting and a little scary, but totally cool I bet - so why slow it down with Tech Company in-fighting, as there are lots of consumer dollars for the next generation of technology and the next two after that - bring it on I say. Please consider all this and think on it.