Wireless vs PCs

[Hoista!]

WHere is it going to head? Will Wireless devices take over PCs as the most used hardware? Particulalrly as wireless devices will have POP3 and IMAP mail, Video conferencing, and telephony?

[socalgal]

Have you seen the latest Features on SysOpt's home page? http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

Food for thought...

www.sysopt.com (http://www.sysopt.com)

[Joel Kleppinger]

What you've got to keep in mind is the usability of these devices. They can only have so much screen real estate and other features. While I really like the laptop I'm currently typing this on, there's no way on earth I would trade my main PC for it.

Yes, wireless devices will become more prevalent, but the PC will not be replaced, merely supplemented. As PC prices drop, people won't be migrating directly to wireless solutions, but they will instead add them onto and with their current desktop setups. That's why any great new wireless function or feature that will come out must accommodate the current and future installed base of non-portable desktop PCs

[wyvrn]

I agree. While most users are not gamers, when was the last time you saw a palm pilot that could play Quake III? And would you want to on such a small screen? If smaller appliances become powerful and hence more popular and console machines take up the slack for the gamers, then you may see the pc grab less market share. But right now I would not give my pc up for anything.

[Hoista!]

The interesting thing, is that Wireless devices are headed towards 3G, they are being used to replace phones, this could eventually lead to the death of laptops (not PCs)

as mobile phones on a worldwide basis sell 10 million units per week.

Thats half a billion mobile phones sold a year world wide.

Which is why Microsoft are trying to get into this market. however, they are a good couple of years behind, and are not supported by the Mobile Industry leaders.

[Hoista!]

Oh and Wyvern, I know they have sucessfully tested Unreal Tournament over GPRS (wireless network) sucessfully, so the possibilities are there.

And to be honest, for something like WAP (Im surprised no-one has done this yet) MUDs are perfect for it, as it is text based, and you can play it anywhere on a WAP device.