Waiting for that One Device

Sometime in the near future I will have a fully converged
device. And it will be really special. It will be quite like that ad on TV-"I
have a thing in my pocket, but it's not one thing, it's many." This
"many" device will help me do my writing, spreadsheets and
presentations. It will have GPS, mobile TV, a camera, and play music too. And it'll
do all the tasks that most phones support these days-SMS, MMS, games, calendar
and organizer. It will be handy, and weigh under 100g, and slip easily into my
pocket.

But what would make the device really special is that it
would do it all simply. Without my having to go through the manual or searching
for instructions on the net. The phone would have an interface that is nothing
like we are used to currently. I won't have to scroll or jab at keys
endlessly. It would know my voice wherever I am, and even if I had a cold. It
would learn about my preferences quickly. It would have a screen that would
scale up the second I needed to look at it. It will be full-color and have a
high screen resolution, so I would not have to strain at all. And when I need to
type, it would be simple and not though a constricted keyboard. I would be able
to walk into a showroom, pick the device of my choice and start right off, the
minute I switch it on. It would not cost the earth-maybe $100 in developed
countries, and developing countries could have it for as low as $50.

Do I hear a no? There are those who believe that one
converged device is not a great tool. It just puts an excessive cost burden on
the buyer, it's next to impossible to arrive at the right design for such a
device. In trying to be all things to all people, simplicity is sacrificed and
usability is curtailed. Different people need different types of devices, they
say. If they like music, let them buy an MP3 phone. If they want a camera, let
them buy a phone with the best cam around. And so on.

I am sure there is a logic to that. But I cannot find it.

If the argument is that there exist converged devices but
they have severe quality or form factor limitations, I refuse to lose faith in
the capability of engineers, designers and marketers to produce my dream device.
If the argument is that users want the best of breed in whatever they are doing,
I say that there are many users who want to carry a single device. And why
should they not? Can you imagine carrying a phone, a camera, a palmtop, an MP3
player, a laptop and couple of more things through airport security? Or even on
your person as you drive to work?

It is possible that there could be highly specialized users
who will carry a converged device and a special device. A photographer will want
his favorite cam with him for his best shots. A PC power user will want to use
his PC, though his phone will keep him connected. The music buff may pack in a
portable high quality player. A movie buff may carry the DVD player. But all of
them would carry a single converged device also-for the sheer convenience.

And some IDC projections agree with this viewpoint. According
to IDC, worldwide, 1.02 bn mobile phones were shipped in 2006, of which 82.4 mn
were converged mobile devices. By 2010, these devices will make up about 25% of
the 1.25 bn phones expected to ship.

I for one am convinced that we are heading for days when
everyone will carry one converged device. A few will carry an additional one for
their special interests.

Shyam Malhotra

editor-in-chief VOICE&DATA

shyamm@cybermedia.co.in