The 2012 reboot of the sci-fi classic Total Recall illustrated an interesting concept for the future of communication technology. The envisioned future portrayed a time in which people could embed electronic circuitry directly into their hands and use their palms as smartphones.
Insert your joke here about where they embedded fax machines.
What’s truly remarkable, however, is the number of cutting-edge futuristic technologies in Total Recall that actually already exist or are poised to launch in the coming months.
For example, the film’s portrayal of external glass surfaces as remote screens engaged merely by touch was perhaps most interesting and relevant when considering today’s hottest emerging technologies.
Now, it certainly looked cool and I’m sure we can all agree that at some point transparent substrates and circuitry may permit for clear screens. But, to me, the immediate impact of this idea is more immediate.
I often write about disruption and evolution of technology. The iWatch is unquestionably one of the most eagerly anticipated new technologies on the horizon, but perhaps more so because of what it could be or become than what it is likely to initially arrive as. Pebble is a great idea, for instance, but much like the TI-99 in comparison to the iPad, there is certainly a long way for it to go.
Imagine an iWatch that through Bluetooth, NFC or another next gen communication protocol could actually take over any compatible screen around you. In the car, it could take over your ultra high-res nav screen. At home, it could take over your iTV. At the office, it could take over your computer monitor. And, unlike Total Recall, you don’t need to touch the screen to engage. And you definitely won’t need a bottle of Windex at hand. Without a screen nearby, it’s own screen and pared peripherals would suffice.
It’s been reported recently that Apple has applied for a wide array of innovative patents in the area of eye movement and detection. As I mentioned in a previous article, I see this as core to the evolution of a Google Glass evolutionary product. Imagine Apple’s application in this technology. With Apple having already demonstrated its prowess in hardware, it isn’t difficult at all to envision channel surfing through eye movement on your iTV.
I see the disruption in all screen technology with the integration of eye detection software and hardware and I see the iWatch as the wearable device that could allow for the mobile computational power driving the use. It would be a symbiotic relationship of technologies all built and powered by Apple to truly make for a portable and wearable computing platform.
What do you think?
