3 Prototypes From HP, In Outline

tekgoblin writes "Since the recent HP buyout of PALM we have been waiting for what HP may have in store for us. Well HP's CTO Phil McKinney has tweeted some pictures of 3 new devices that could be released in the near future." Note: the pictures' most relevant bits are blacked out with the subtlety of an expurgated FBI document, but they have me curious, especially about the wrist-worn device.

Comments

MS Paint Prototypes?

[0100010001010011]

Here's some photos of my hand with black bocks over everything. But they're prototypes. I swear. Please don't buy something from Apple.

I have been expecting this for a while now

[erroneus]

Computers and personal storage can get as small as imaginable. It takes decreasing amounts of power to process and store data. The more power is being used for wireless I/O and display devices.

What I am guessing we are seeing here is that the data processor and storage device is on his wrist. Using a low power, high speed data link, the hand-held devices are little more than a display with input functionality. So, he picks one up, and the wrist device connects to it and that becomes his hand-held device. He picks up another, and THAT becomes the hand-held device. For an even more enhanced experience, a wireless I/O device and client software can be connected to your desktop PC, and you can sync and exchange data with your wrist device and also use the PC for its console.

And since the wrist device needs little to no controls, it is pretty trivial to make it rugged and durable. And since it's attached to your wrist, it isn't getting lost or misplaced quite so easily.

Re:I have been expecting this for a while now

[dakohli]

So, this is HP's plan:

Put out a few pictures of nothing, and let the geeks speculate on what it is. Then mine the responses for the best ideas. Voila, a plan for the future!

Re:I have been expecting this for a while now

[evilWurst]

IMO, it would be a better idea for it to be the other way around; have a microsd and low power bluetooth inside the watch casing with the battery. Store things like program personalization profiles, bookmarks, ebooks, and maybe some mp3s in there, and authorize other devices to access them. This works out nicely because the watch can probably do all this and still be the same (small) size and have the same long battery life that we expect out of watches, still be waterproof, and since it's strapped to your wrist you're unlikely to lose it or run it through the washer/dryer or have it stolen.

With a decent display, it should also be able to show info from other devices. Specifically, maybe caller ID/text message/email alerts from the cellphone that's sitting in your pocket in silent mode. Since the display is very tiny, this shouldn't make it all that much more expensive, judging by what some mp3 players in the $50 range have today. Nor should it make the watch ungainly large; watches with these features can still be traditional fashion accessories for those that want them to be.

It'd be nice if it all integrated well with the blacked out... smartphone-pda and tablet/bookreader?... in the pic, as well as your laptop/desktop. Since microsd cards already come in 4/8/16 GB capacities, then in addition to automagical profile synching, you could actually store a decently useful amount of additional data in a watch and have it more easily accessible than the USB flash drive on your keychain.

Remember the pocket-watch?

[howzit]

Look at old photographs in the 1800's. How long did people carry pocket-watches on chains before some-one thought--'why not wear the watch on your wrist?' Same with mobiles and I/O devices. It HAS to come. 'Do you remember Dick Tracy, do you remember Shane ?'

Re:Why would anyone

[mjwx]

Until Apple does something monumentally stupid.

That has already happened. We are just waiting for the other shoe to drop now. Lets compare some history shall we.

Apple Computers: Released an overpriced PC that was eaten alive by cheaper more functional competitors.
Apple Inc: Releases an overpriced tablet that will be eaten alive by cheaper and more functional competitors.

Apple Computers: Sues Microsoft over allegedly infringing the "look and feel" of their OS claiming ownership to basic elements. Apple Computers lose.
Apple Inc: Sues HTC over allegedly infringing software patents which are spurious and overreaching at best. Apple Inc will lose here.

Apple Computers: Nearing bankruptcy due to poor products and losing expensive law suits accepts a cash injection from Microsoft in order to get the DOJ of Microsoft's back claiming Apple as a competitor.
Apple Inc: Nearing bankruptcy due to poor products and losing expensive law suits finds themselves acquired by a larger, more successful entity (my money's on Microsoft).

History has a habit of repeating itself. Apple began to fail when they determined that money was better spent suing HTC over spurious software patents (most, if not all have prior art and SW patents are only recognised in the US, HTC is a Taiwanese company with global reach). We've seen this happen countless times before, including to the now defunct Apple Computers of the 70's and 80's. When a business model turns from innovation to litigation then failure is inevitable. Yes Apple will lose a lot of money as they depend on their stock price too much, that 50B in the bank wont even pay for 1 quarter if their stock drops. I'm tipping it to be a .bomb 2.0 or iCrash if you will.