Here we are closing out the year 2008 and the age of computers continues to expand at breakneck speed. Technological advances, new innovation, and a wider variety of applications fill the computer landscape. It’s no surprise then that the passing of time has also brought about dramatic development in the area of mobile computing.

Of course the laptop has revolutionized the concept of computers on the go to a large extent but there are more and more options becoming available. In 1996 it is estimated that only only 17% of the computers sold worldwide were laptops. This was largely due to the expense and relative availability of a laptop. However some computer retailers anticipate selling more laptops than desktops as soon as 2009. And the laptop is far from being the only mobile option around in this day and age.

In the past , however, there were some key obstacles to having mobile computing. This prevented having to many options other than the laptop. The main hurdles to overcome were:

• Insufficient bandwidth – many of the systems available were very slow
• Security issue – if you are on the move then you are in need of public networks
• Need of power – reliance on battery power creates difficulty. Expense concerns included
• Interference – much like the challenges of a cell phone moving, mobile means you confront various forms of physical transmission/reception obstructions
• Unhealthy use – again like cell phones the more options available the more people will use these options at inopportune times(ie;while driving)
• Small screens – how much smaller than a standard laptop can you get before you say “this is too small?”

While items like the laptop were becoming of age there were other forms of mobile computers being made available nonetheless. One such item was what is called the wearable computer. These types of machines are just that; computers that you wear on your person. The watch calculator for example. These types of computers also include devices geared for health related applications.

By 1994 a couple innovators at the University of Toronto, Edgar Matias and Mike Ruicci, debuted a “wrist” computer. It basically was a glorified palm style electric notebook that you strapped on your forearm. There have been head mounted and even virtual retinal displays developed as the new century opened its door.

Mobile computing continued growing beyond the wearable versions. Gradually the mobile concept really hit a stride with what is called a PDA. A personal digital assistant. We made a reference to it when we mentioned the palm style notebook. The PDA market has exploded in many ways. An early breakthrough style was what one company called the palm pilot. You had a notebook style palm computer that also featured touch screen technology. More recently many cell phone companies have integrated this concept and have built a PDA out of a phone. The smartphone is a name many people have come to know.

And as the above obstacles to mobile computing were slowly averted, these devices came to have so much more to offer. They often include audio capability such as a built in MP3 player. Along with the touch screen you can get a keyboard or a virtual keyboard. Email and web service is available as is GPS (Global Positioning System) due to the amazing technology of bluetooth or upgraded wi-fi and so on. Some PDA’s even have USB (universal serial bus) connections!

Almost everyone has heard of a Blackberry or an Iphone nowadays for example. They are truly a mobile computer. The capability is very cool. And we are just hitting the highlights. If you were to do a casual search of the various PDA style gadgets you would be amazed out just how mobile a computer has become.

Another area where the mobile computer has become more visable is in your car. The Car PC is cropping up all over. Probably the most practical car computer is the use GPS. More and more cars are making that available. There are also some models of vehicles that allow you to set your cell phone into a saddle and the phone will be integrated with your cars audio system. Voice activation will allow you to make and receive calls.

The days of having to get behind a desk or carefully situate your laptop are over. Now you can carry your computer in your pocket or wear it on your wrist. Yes there are still a few improvements needed for some applications and the small screen will turn off a percentage of potential users but the options are there. Perhaps you just want sports updates or email accessability. Maybe you just need directions or a weather report. Or maybe you need to do some business on the golf course or while your waiting at the dentist. You don’t need or may not need to carry a laptop anymore. Times really are a changin’.

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