Would You Give Up Your Laptop/Desktop for a Mobile Device?

Here's something to chew on. At what point would you give up your laptop or desktop computer for a mobile device? What capabilities and performance would you require?

That's a recent question I posed to the MobilOpen group on LinkedIn.

Since the release of the iPhone and similar mobile devices, many visionaries have proposed a day when personal computers, as we know them, will be replaced by mobile handsets. What features and performance would it take for you to take the leap into mobile space?

Here are three answers from MobilOpen group members:

Shaun said:

"Personally I don't think that would happen unless we could type on a virtual keyboard and have a hologram screen.. and that sounds like a bit of SciFi.. so I would say for the moment at least.. I don't want my PC replaced. But I love the mobility of a mobile device. I always found PDAs like what Palm and Windows based devices to clunky and not sexy.. What is coming out now be it from Apple or other mobile makers like LG is the perfect complement to my PC life. I really don't use in the same way so that is why there is two devices. But I do watch movies on my iPhone, listen to music, etc..."

Brent responded:

Shaun touched on it - screen size is the limit for me. I have an HTC Mogul and I use it for a ton of stuff, but I can't mothball the laptop until I can have a screen big enough that I don't have to scroll all over the place to see what I am doing.

There are already DVD systems that have glasses that simulate a 60" screen. When they can couple that to a mobile device they will be well on their way. As it is a 19" widescreen some times runs out of real estate, fix that problem and the rest of the problems are minor in comparison."

And Nicola commented:

"Hi, I've been thinking about trying to do that this year. I am playing around with a project to see if I can create my own notes editor for the phone. However I would need a keyboard if I was typing lines of code all day. I'm using tv-out on my phone so that I can view the code on my tv, whilst the mobile projectors are still being developed (and hopefully retailed at under $600). However another example of where mobile isn't working quite so well for me is the mobile-only social networks, they are not easy to search for people, browse photos on a regular smartphone if you don't have a tv-out or projector option. Would I go mobile-only then ? I don't know but it would be more likely."

My response to the three comments:

"Very interesting responses. While I tried to focus my question on functionality (ex. 5 hour battery life, Word-like word processor, 3Mbps Internet download speed, BlackBerry-enabled email,etc.), the responses relate more to handset screen size, input/output devices and so forth.

I think Shaun best points out the main quandary ditching PC's for mobile devices ("I don't want my PC replaced. But I love the mobility of a mobile device."). Brent sounds like he might jump ship if his mobile device screen was larger and offered the functions of his Mogul, while Nicola needs keyboards and visual displays that moves her from mobile space to home turf.

Maybe it's like Star Trek. If you're a fan like me, you've noticed that some devices on the ships are "mobile," like the communicators, including voice interaction with a computer, while touch screen panels are used for navigation, security and zapping the enemy with photons.Shaun gets more than his hologram screen; in fact, he gets an entire world of holographic people and objects that appear real.

I wrote a blog post on eBay in 2006 dealing with multiple devices for different functions. I've also written a lot of posts about the effects of mobile technology on people in my MarketingBeyond TypePad blog. I find the convergence of computer/communications technologies with mobile fascinating and continue blogging and podcasting on the subject.

So how about you? When would you throw away your laptop or desktop for a mobile device? What would you absolutely have to have to take the plunge?

Touch Me, Talk to Me: Mobile Device Convergence

A recent BusinessWeek article about Google in Japan, describing the Japanese preference for Web browsing on their mobile devices, reminded me again how the world is heading inevitably from the PC to mobile handsets. The Japanese best demonstrate this trend as mobile users surf the Web, view maps, download music, text and email from their homes, businesses, parks, street corners and subways. To the Japanese, mobile is where you are--not necessarily when you leave home.

Voice and data integration still remains a mystery to me. While many handsets throughout the world offer voice dialing, controlling your mobile device's functions by voice alone is growing more slowly than touch screens. This is especially peculiar since speaking is easier and faster than operating keypads or using touch screens.

In my ideal Android mobile device PDF, which is available on MarketingBeyond, I summarize my four requirements--including voice control:

• Global Mobility--handsets running on 4G networks with download speeds exceeding 100mbps accessing the Web from anywhere on Earth. A "global hotspot" connecting all mobile device users.
• Multi-Dimensional. VOIP connectivity for all phone calls and multi-media messaging.
• Voice Control. Operating all device functions and enabling speech-to-text input in any language.
• Solar Powered. A solar panel underlies the mobile device's large touch screen, powering devices, similar to hybrid cars running on both fuel and electricity.

A fantasy dream of mine? Not really. The PDF contains links explaining existing and new technologies for such devices in the next few years. As 3G and 4G networks emerge across the globe, the greatest challenge is market acceptance. Mobile users in Asia, the U.K. and Europe already embrace more powerful wireless devices and applications. The majority of people in the U.S. and third-world countries, except early adopters, will take time to realize the benefits of advanced wireless technologies.

As mobile devices take over many functions handled by personal computers, however, the mental chasm between voice and data will disappear. In the next five-to-ten years, mobile users will communicate with their devices as they do with people. "Touch me, talk to me" will not be an advertising slogan. It will be a mobile reality.

Googling and Knolling on Your Mobile Device

Current blog and media reactions to Google's announced Wikipedia-like encyclopedia (Knols) is causing great concern about Google's motives. In an age of global information, commercial enterprises that control access to human knowledge can dominate the Web and other communication channels.


Mobile telephony is one of Google's main targets as mobile users become more reliant on information content--text, audio, video or multi-media. Using the web on your mobile device will increase as global carriers deploy 3G and 4G mobile broadband services and devices, based on Open Handset Alliance standards.



Take a peak at my vision of Google Enterprises in 2012 and the ideal Android-enabled mobile device.