As soon as we hear the word “computer”, we immediately think of our laptops or our desktops and even our smartphones. A decade or two ago, we would have thought of big beige boxes and keyboards to match.
Ever since their invention, computers have been an integral part of human life and have changed the world for the better. It’s no doubt that computers are one of our biggest achievements. An achievement that helps us achieve other things.
Computers have gone through a lot of changes since their inception. A lot of different computers with different forms and functions have been introduced over the years all achieving the same basic function: to compute data.
But over the last 20 years or so, our computing needs have evolved and have become more diversified leading to some really amazing emerging technologies that will change our perception of what a computer is and what it can be. Let’s take a look at some of these.
1. Virtual Reality (VR)
Virtual reality, as the name suggests, is a technology, which gives people the illusion of being in a digital world. Sometimes the illusion seems so real that they forget the real world and act as if they are really in the digital one.
The way virtual reality is ‘accessed’, is through virtual reality headsets that a person wears like sunglasses, only they are much bigger and opaque.
The technology is really promising and is very different to our computers. You don’t need a mouse or a keyboard to use a VR headset. You can use gestures or even your voice to get things done.
Right now, VR technology is mainly being used for gaming applications and remote viewing of different locations giving you the feel that you are present at said locations, but in the future, it will have widespread uses especially as communication platforms.
2. Augmented Reality (AR)
Augmented Reality is a close cousin of virtual reality. In augmented reality, the virtual elements of computing are overlaid on top of the real world. So instead of virtually transporting you to a virtual world, it brings the virtual world to the real one.
It is a much better experience for ‘norma computing’ than virtual reality because you are able to work on something while being aware of your surrounding.
Microsoft with its HoloLens has just given the world a glimpse of what the technology can used for. Gone will be the days when you would require keyboards, mouse, big screens or a CPU box. These will seamlessly be packed into a headset for you to wear.
Using an AR headset, we will be able to do anything that we do on a computer today. And since it imposes 3D objects in our environment, it will revolutionise medicine, engineering, education, movies and much more.
3. Quantum Computers
One of the most exciting inventions in computers that everyone is awaiting very impatiently, is the quantum computer and when it becomes a reality, everything is going to change…again. This will be the biggest thing to happen to computing since its inception.
A quantum computer is a computer that makes use of the quantum states of subatomic particles to perform operations on data. Basically it can solve multiple problems at the same time, unlike the computers we use today which solve one problem at a time which makes them hundreds of millions of times faster than a normal computer.
Also, quantum computers can take on really complex problems that today’s computers just can’t solve. It’s not about the computing power but the way any problems are solved. Quantum computers have a more human approach at solving certain problems.
So, how will quantum computing change the world? When quantum computers become a reality, there will be really accurate weather forecasting, it will revolutionise medicine (by finding cures faster), it will make computing systems really, really secure and will boost space exploration with its unique computing method. And this is just the tip of the iceberg.
10 years from now is going to be one scary place... things are about to change so much!
Yeah. The world will be so much "futuristic" and "sci-fi".
Interesting blog. Thanks for sharing. Upvoted and tweeted. Thanks again for sharing. Stephen
Thank you :)
I believe it will be a gradual transition for two main reasons; first it the expendable income for people to just jump on board. They will be massively expensive at first pairing down gradually prior to mass adoption.
Secondly will be the slower transitions of support programs and uses.
It will be faster than what we experienced so far, but far from an overnight shift that would cause disruption.
Yes, it will be a gradual process for sure. That's how the general public assimilates technology, if we look at the history.
Right now these technologies do not have a widespread use but in the future, as they start becoming more useful, people will gradually adopt them.
Working my business transition to Blockchain and 360 visuals now.
Great! Blockchain will be another technology that will change the world.
I love your writing
Thank you so much :)
I've tried the HoloLens a couple of months ago, but it was quite heavy on my nose. I'm sure there must be some accessories that take some weight off...
It was a fun experience, though watching others wearing it and wandering around the house, checking up on invisible things and shooting invisible aliens was even better.
haha yes, I haven't used them myself but I can imagine that the experience would be fun. The HoloLens is only among the first generation of AR devices. Imagine what 2-3 generations down the could achieve.
In the future, we may have AR devices that weigh no more than a regular sunglass. In fact, they make incorporate the technology in a regular sunglass!
That would be so awesome :D