Ericsson have been demonstrating their new computer concept design for the year 2020 at the Taiwan Broadband show and it’s kind of, well, different.
It’s being called The Ericsson Spider PC concept for obvious reasons. The thing looks more like a spider on legs than anything you could call a computer.
Apparently the device, if it ever got off the ground, would have all the features of a modern day laptop including Wi-Fi. However, it looks nothing like anything you’ve seen before.
The computer on show made use of a pico-projected screen and a laser projected keyboard. So what we’d basically have is a virtual screen projected onto a wall and virtual keyboard projected on to a desk or table or any other hard surface.
I’ve got to say the idea of projecting a screen and a keyboard instead of having the hassle of solid items of equipment to carry around is an interesting and strangely appealing idea.
On saying that I can’t quite see how it would take off as a transportable computer device, I mean how are we going to project the screen onto a café wall and what would we do on the train or at the airport and portability is what it’s all about these days.
Apart from the lack of project-able walls when out on the move, even if you did find one in public, everyone else in the vicinity would be able to read your ramblings on screen.
That’s just one example, I’m sure we could all think of more. I suppose in the home it could be kinda cool though, certainly better than the bulky desktops.
The biggest problem I see is actually the timescale of 2020. We all know how quickly the world of technology can change. By the time 2012 comes along far less 2020, things are likely to be massively different than what they are now, with heaps of new technological inventions and gadgets on the go.
What Ericsson was demonstrating was a sort of working prototype but only to give you the general idea, the components required to fit into a fully functional working device are too big at the moment. It’s quite possible that the design will be obsolete before it even gets started.
Reminds me a bit of what futuristic predictions in the not so distant past were like. We would all be wearing metallic clothing by now if they had been right.
Still, the spider concept computer is a cool design.
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a laser projected keyboard would be sweet
bci is where it’s at, not all that bob’bil’ly gook about projectors and gosh! keyboards, projected or otherwise – - – 2020 there’s more efficiency. bci seems more natural progression than still using keyboards and projectors/displays, hehe..(brain computer interface, bci)
This is a brilliant concept! But it’s just too big! Shrink it down and put it in a pair of goggles or glasses and everyone would buy one!
put a laser projector and pico projector into a smartphone and then itll take off
Erm, projection keyboards already exist!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Projection_keyboard
Of course they do! I tried one more than two years ago, here are my impressions (in Spanish, sorry!)
http://www.enriquedans.com/2007/01/teclado-laser.html
You can try the translated version, but is pretty rough
http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.enriquedans.com%2F2007%2F01%2Fteclado-laser.html&sl=es&tl=en&hl=en&ie=UTF-8
Kind of weird to type on “nothing” but the surface of the table, but it definitely works.
I have been waiting for the projected keyboard as an answer to the pitiful type on the screen (iPhone) or mash at tiny keys (PC alternative phones) for several years. Thanks for discounting the innovation.
This article was terribly written. I would bet that the author writes guides for programming VCR clocks in their spare time.
I just want to see ericsson make some kind of comeback! I always loved their mobile phones but they have really shrunk on the scene for the past decade or so…
I have a laser projected infra red keyboard, its a novalty, not practical for everyday use. Its not comfortable banging your fingers on a desk all day. But very cool nun the less. The other issue with projection is light. screen will be hard to see in light places. Anyway by 2020 we will no longer be trying, voice recognition technology will be as good as Tony Starks PC in Ironman and for those of us in a public place your PC will b able to read your thought by then, th tech is already availabl in its infant form. We do live in exiting times. Cant wait to see whats gonna be around in 2020.