When personal computer (PC) was launched, it created a revolution. It was an instant hit with the large companies, especially with the clerical staff, who were involved in a lot of processing work and intra-office communication. This was in spite of the fact that PC had significantly lesser processing power than the existing computing machines i.e. mainframes. An important thing about PC was its form factor. It gained acceptance with individuals, largely because they could use it easily on their desks.
Other revolutions led by form factors:
Laptop
Walkman
Portable music players (iPod, etc)
Portable memory (Floppy, CD, etc)
Portable hard drive (USB drive)
What about phones?
A phone has retained its form factor almost completely during its entire history. Even today, it is a device that rings when a call arrives and the user pulls it out, presses a button or two to start the conversation. Though today, people do many more things on phones – browse internet, play games as well as use other applications. But still, all of it is over a single device which was designed to be a phone for voice calls. The form factor of this device has not changed.
Most probably it is because people are used to talking over phones in a certain way and no one wants to disrupt this human behaviour. But then, history has taught us, most of the development has happened due to disruptions only.
Why do people need to carry around a separate device called mobile phone?
Why cannot the mobile phone be part of the wrist-watch & connected to a bluetooth headset for calls?
Why cannot the display be a foldable screen or a projector that is used only when needed?
When it comes to creativity, sky is the limit.
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