Next Generation Wireless Applications: Creating Mobile Applications in a Web 2.0 and Mobile 2.0 World, 2nd Edition

1.4 OUR MULTITASKING MOBILE FUTURE

The point of the story is not to invent a new buzzword – commie. I admit, it does sound a rather unlikely name. I think the word ‘mobile’ will pervade, although the name isn't particularly important. The point is that new devices will continue to emerge that don't fit the traditional mobile phone form or function. Moreover, as the story tells, devices will be used for an increasing number of tasks besides talking, so the name ‘phone’ will become outdated.

The key message from the story is that the mobile experience will grow to include a number of tasks that can be easily carried out using a handheld device, or devices, and fully integrated into our daily routines. Perhaps your reaction to some of the mobile tasks in the story is a mixture of agreement and scepticism. You will see yourself doing some of those things and not others. Some you might think of as being just plain nuts. I agree with you. This is the normal reaction. However, there is one important consideration to keep in mind. It can best be summed up by McLuhan's famous aphorism – ‘A fish doesn't know of the existence of water until beached.’ In other words, we get used to services that we once didn't think we needed and only realise their value after they're removed, like losing a mobile phone. Remember life without the Web? When I worked on the very first GSM systems, nearly all my friends and associates clearly told me that they couldn't see themselves using a mobile phone. Here ...