Apple

Apple's Transition to Post-PC Devices

First there was the iPhone...

By Victor Mihailescu, Apple News Editor

27th of July 2007, 11:09 GMT

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Apple has recently hinted at a major transition that will be taking place soon and while the company has let any of the details slip, signs of such a transition are already around us. The iPhone may be a revolutionary phone, but it is also a huge step towards true portable computing and the future.

The iPhone brings several devices together in one,

but is still heavily tied to the phone part that largely dominates its future. Despite this, that little device is also a good preview of what is to come. It is easy to imagine what could be done with a better iPhone, one with more memory and unrestricted development, the possibilities are truly endless. However, the constant growth of WiFi coverage and the ability to tap into it with a handheld device will change more than just the portable computing.

Many potential buyers would be perfectly happy with an iPhone sans phone, and the truth of it is that in many cases, the loss of the phone would hardly matter. Instant messaging and voice over IP applications on the iPhone would mean no need for a phone. These technologies are all being rapidly embraced and for good reason. Undoubtedly, this is one of the main reasons why development for the device is limited to web applications, otherwise AT&T would be digging its own grave. But there is nothing to prevent Apple from releasing a similar device without the phone part.

While WiFi coverage and VOIP adoption is still not there yet, Apple is making sure that they will be ready when the time comes� no other company is preparing for this. Microsoft may have the software, but it is in no way ready for devices such as the iPhone, being bloated by legacy code and not optimized for small devices. Hardware manufacturers such as those in the cell phone industry are still stuck in the phone mindset and are not capable of making the transition from phone to computer. There is simply nothing that can compare to the iPhone and there likely won't be for at least a year. But even when such competing products do emerge, they will likely be made so that they match better the iPhone in terms of features and prices, with little regard to what lies ahead.

Apple is definitely preparing for the transition to post-PC devices, even though it may still be a few years until we get there.

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Apple | iPhone

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