How the Computer Disappears as a Computer

In the Verge’s column ‘The disappearing computer – Tech was once always in your way. Soon, it will be almost invisible‘, Walt Mossberg makes the point that with the advent of wearables and the pervasion of computing power in our lives, computers will become invisible.

Instead of the old fashioned desktop with its keyboard and screen, or tablet with its finger-touch interface; computers will be where we won’t see them anymore. And they will have even more influence in our lives.

“ I expect that one end result of all this work will be that the technology, the computer inside all these things, will fade into the background. In some cases, it may entirely disappear, waiting to be activated by a voice command, a person entering the room, a change in blood chemistry, a shift in temperature, a motion. Maybe even just a thought. Your whole home, office and car will be packed with these waiting computers and sensors. But they won’t be in your way, or perhaps even distinguishable as tech devices.

This is ambient computing, the transformation of the environment all around us with intelligence and capabilities that don’t seem to be there at all.”

This of course gives quite some food for thought. There will be advantages and drawbacks from this situation. And I guess more advantages than we can envisage today.