The all-in-one card computer... for 2006?

Bob Russell · 12-31-2005, 07:09 PM

There's an article about an "all-in-one card" that's been getting a lot of buzz recently. Unfortunately, it's just the article is getting the buzz, not the card. Supposedly that concept handheld computer will be able to replace pdas, cell phones and mp3 players. And next year, no less. Chandan's writeup is definitely an attention getter, even if the idea is not quite new.

Basically, he describes thin client computing with a small card whose front surface is completely an e-ink type of display. Sort of a Star Trek tablet taken to the extreme. We've talked about that before, and I'm sure that it will be discussed even more as the technology advances to make it feasible.

There's really not a lot to argue about except for the claim that it can be done in 2006. Such a small device, a dreamy display, no place for the battery or fuel cell, no place for the wireless transmitter and antenna, etc etc. Forget all-in-one cards... we would be delighted even to get a display like that in 2006 for an ebook reader!

But as a discussion piece to give a concept of what may be to come, I think he's done a very good job. And if he knows how to really make it feasible now, then he could turn the industry upside down in a year. Personally, I'm a skeptic, but you can read the entire writeup here.

Chaos · 01-01-2006, 07:45 AM

As noted in the update (on the same page linked to), it's just an idea (or theory), with all the images created in the GIMP.

That said, I wouldn't be surprised to see something like this in the next few years... The major restraining factor I see, is battery power.

Looking at current technology the size/weight of portable power sources seems to be the furthest lagging behind, compared to everything else. I haven't noticed a huge increase in how long the battery on any laptop is supposed to last in the past... five years. And most (all?) of the improvements in battery life seem to have been due to decreasing the power requirements of components, rather than increasing the battery power/life...

Looking at your average PDA, and I'd hazzard a guess that around 1/4th of the size (and particularly weight) is the battery...

Colin Dunstan · 01-01-2006, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobR

Sort of a Star Trek tablet taken to the extreme.

So I can finally say: "Scotty, beam me up" - and receive a response?

12-31-2005, 07:09 PM	#1
Bob Russell MobileRead Editor Posts: 4,923 Karma: 24061 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Device: Sony PRS500, Treo 700p, Dell x50v, Lenovo X61t	The all-in-one card computer... for 2006? There's an article about an "all-in-one card" that's been getting a lot of buzz recently. Unfortunately, it's just the article is getting the buzz, not the card. Supposedly that concept handheld computer will be able to replace pdas, cell phones and mp3 players. And next year, no less. Chandan's writeup is definitely an attention getter, even if the idea is not quite new. Basically, he describes thin client computing with a small card whose front surface is completely an e-ink type of display. Sort of a Star Trek tablet taken to the extreme. We've talked about that before, and I'm sure that it will be discussed even more as the technology advances to make it feasible. There's really not a lot to argue about except for the claim that it can be done in 2006. Such a small device, a dreamy display, no place for the battery or fuel cell, no place for the wireless transmitter and antenna, etc etc. Forget all-in-one cards... we would be delighted even to get a display like that in 2006 for an ebook reader! But as a discussion piece to give a concept of what may be to come, I think he's done a very good job. And if he knows how to really make it feasible now, then he could turn the industry upside down in a year. Personally, I'm a skeptic, but you can read the entire writeup here.

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01-01-2006, 07:45 AM	#2
Chaos Evangelist Posts: 418 Karma: 281 Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Canada Device: Assorted older devices	As noted in the update (on the same page linked to), it's just an idea (or theory), with all the images created in the GIMP. That said, I wouldn't be surprised to see something like this in the next few years... The major restraining factor I see, is battery power. Looking at current technology the size/weight of portable power sources seems to be the furthest lagging behind, compared to everything else. I haven't noticed a huge increase in how long the battery on any laptop is supposed to last in the past... five years. And most (all?) of the improvements in battery life seem to have been due to decreasing the power requirements of components, rather than increasing the battery power/life... Looking at your average PDA, and I'd hazzard a guess that around 1/4th of the size (and particularly weight) is the battery...