The Killer Computer

I've been using my netbook as a desktop computer, which required (at least for me to find it really usable) a large monitor and keyboard and a mouse.

I'd considered doing a similar thing with my cellphone/pda, which, even though it is several years old, has enough computing power to do most of what I do on a desktop computer (providing applications are written to be efficient). (In other words, there is very little I do on my desktop computer that could not be done under Windows for Workgroups 3.11... which could easily run on my cell phone.) However, when I was thinking of this (when I bought my netbook) I couldn't find a way to get video from the cell phone onto a large monitor.

So, what are your bets on when we will be using cell phones as our main day-to-day computing device? I have a cell-phone-sized video projector, and virtual keyboard projectors are available, so with just a little miniaturization and power supply sharing, you can easily envision a cell phone that you can set on a table near a wall, and have a full-size keyboard and a very large screen. Today, I could put a rubber band around three devices, and I'd have a proof of concept prototype...

At home (or in your office) you'd have a brick with a terabyte drive, and when your cell phone was within range, it would synch your files (which could also be done over the web, etc.) Perhaps the brick would have a really fast processor for times when you want to do CFD or for large CAD projects. It might have a real monitor, too.

All of this can be done today, to a limited extent -- the biggest drawback being current picoprojector screen resolution (mine is about the equivalent of a pre hdtv tv.) I'd really like the ability to have my computer with me all the time, without having to carry a computer bag.

In my vision, the cell phone/computer would usually remain in your pocket, and you 'd have a Bluetooth earphone. Thus, the phone would not need to be any smaller than an iPhone (and could even be a little thicker -- like the iPhone alternates with slide-out keyboards).

What are your guesses for a date when someone releases such a product? Who would be likely to bring it out?

On a related front, what are your guesses for how well the iPad does? We've had slate computers for a long time, and even (better for functionality) ones with both touch screen capability and real keyboards. In my view, my current netbook is more usable than an iPad, because they have the same screen size, but my whole screen is usable, and I have a pretty good keyboard (although not good enough, in my view, for all day use (thus my recent addition of a large monitor and keyboard/mouse). Also, when carrying my netbook, the screen is protected. The iPad is kinda kewl, but is that enough to make them wildly desirable? The iPhone can do all the same things, (and make calls besides) and can be slipped into your pocket -- a huge advantage, in my view.

If today, someone came out with this cellphone/computer/virtual keyboard/video projector device, I think it would trounce the iPad and the iPhone. I think that a fully-integrated system (in which you don't have to worry about hardware and software issues between the cell phone and the home brick, etc) would be a good selling point. Wuddya think?