Survival of the Fittest - Future of Computers

If I had contemplated the future of Apple a couple of years ago, I would have guessed that the company would eventually fizzle. Yeah, I once used a Mac and know how great it is, but it seemed that everyone wanted PCs and anyone who had a Mac was frustrated at its inability to convert files and access programs. Wow, how things can change in such a short time. It's amazing how the technology pendulum swings constantly. Who would have thought that a little music player would be the breakthrough that Apple needed to put themselves on top again? And who also would have thought that that little contraption would set the pace for everything else now? At least that's my impression. Just a year or two ago, everyone was looking for bigger computers with bigger monitors. Now, we're moving in the other direction with smaller, laptop computers, and I think much of this has to do with devices such as the IPod. I really think the whole technology-on-the-go is where we are headed, and those companies that can give us anything mobile are the ones that will thrive. A couple of years ago, I was struggling with buying a new computer, debating whether or not to go with a desktop or laptop. Each had its benefits, but in the end, my gut told me that I was going to want something that I could take with me, something that wouldn't dictate where and when I could do my work. Thus, I went with the laptop and am grateful I did. Shortly after, it seemed there was a sudden boom in wireless technology, and now I can access the Internet almost anywhere. The same can now be said for my phone which has Wi-fi and Internet.

So, what kinds of companies will survive in the future? I really think the desktop may disappear eventually if more companies continue creating affordable laptops. I also think with more and more applications becoming web-based, traditional software may become obsolete. I know in my school district alone, we are looking more toward web-based applications for several reasons, mainly cost and ease of use. We have had a number of problems trying to run various programs on our server and moving to web-based applications eliminates those issues. So do I think there's a future for companies, such as Microsoft and Apple? You bet! As the "Triumph of the Nerds" so adaquately demonstrated, people like Bill Gates surround themselves with young, smart visionaries who look for what's on the cutting edge. I'm assuming that tradition will continue long after Gates is gone. I think more and more companies will rival them, but as long as they evolve and stay grounded in what the public demands, they will do well.

As the mother of three kids, including a 16 year-old, I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings for them in terms of technology. For my teenage daughter, she spends all her time texting and does so quickly. Rarely is she on the phone, and unlike me at her age, keeps her phone conversations to a minimum. She also spends a ton of time with ITunes and MySpace and her Nintendo DS, so I predict that these modes of communication and entertainment will continue to be important for her generation. As a teacher, I'm already reconsidering my curriculum based on what they do. In particular with the rapid rise in texting, I'm beginning to question how we teach traditional keyboarding. Is it necessary to teach homerow and posture to a generation who primarily uses their thumbs to type while sitting in the car? Not sure, but it's these kinds of questions that have me looking for companies who are also rethinking how we do and teach things. In the end, those will be the companies I look to and will support.