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Apple has always been the bellwether of the personal computer industry. Prior to the Apple II, a personal computer looked like a failed do-it-yourself project. Today the Mac interface remains the standard of elegance by which all others are measured. Steven Levy in his book "Insanely Great" made an excellent argument: if the Mac had never existed, todayís desktop computer -- regardless of who manufactured it -- would look very different. When users travel beyond the next level of personal computing, Apple will have to lead the way.
Remember the Looney Tunes cartoon that said in 2000 smellovision would replace television? No joke: there is a company named DigiScents working to whiff-enable our computers. I doubt life will be much improved if my Mac spews forth a barrage of olfactory stimulants, however, there are a few innovations I do fantasize about.
My first fantasy is write once/use anywhere data files. Right now my personal data is locked up in propriety file formats that will go out of date eventually. Already my computer is filled with ten year-old files that cannot be read, except by a legacy application that may or may not operate under the latest system software. Time only makes the problem worse.
Imagine data files that could explain to applications what they contained and how that information should be accessed. With standard, extendable formats, data files can become like an attic full of cardboard boxes with complete inventories scribbled on the outside. Instead of applications as data manipulators and as keys to unlock data filed away in unique formats, an application would focus on providing services. Companies would then compete by creating the most useful services, not by holding users hostage with their own data.
I also want voice recognition on my brave new Mac. It is probably safe to expect that as raw computing power increases, it'll only be a matter of time before I'm having a conversation with some future iMac2. Yet I don't want just a dictation and transcription machine, I want to be able to call my Mac on a cellphone and find out my boss's spouse's name and directions to their house.
My final fantasy is a computer that fixes itself. I never again want to install system files, or update hard disk drivers, or track down obscure software conflicts. If my computer has a problem, a net based doctor-server should wade step by step though my computer and fix whatever is broken. Simply, I don't want to debug my hammer, I just want to pound nails.
At their most fundamental level, personal computers are tools to help us turn goals into accomplishments. As networks become more ubiquitous, and the tools we have to access information multiply, I hope the personal computer becomes a personal information server that I can use whenever and however I need. And after these fantasies are a reality, I would not mind a computer that would let me sample cologne before I order a bottle over the
web.
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"Beyond
the Next Level"
