In the Future Their Will Be No Browsers

I have been thinking( dangerous in itself) lately about a number of things.

• The idea of the singularity.
• The internet as a database.
• How will we access that data
• all objects being connected with the internet
• the iPhone (of course)
• web apps
• LAMP html xml mysql ruby on rails etc.
• Adobe AIR
• Microsoft silverlight
• mozila PRISM
• ubiqitous broadband ( wireless especially)

I had all those things floating around in my head and realized that the way we interact with the internet, including reading it might be very different from how we view it now ( static pages access through a browser). we now have memory cards that you can put into your digital camera, and they will upload your photos to flickr( or what ever site you wish to host them). you cant browse the internet on the camera. you can’t email the image to a friend or family member from the camera. Just a dumb device that interacts with the camera and the internet.

The browser is a great way to display text and graphics from the internet on a laptop and or a desktop. But inclreasingly we will access the internet from small screens like our cell phones. On the iPhone you can build web apps that can be saved as icons onto the iPhone screen. When the 2.0 software upgrade comes out those apps will do away with the browser bar and go full screen. To normal users the difference between that web app and an installed app on the iPhone will not be obvious.

So when the internet become apart of everything, with two way streets of information flowing, will we still days things like, ” I need to get on the internet”.  Or will we be able to recall just the information we need using one of many devices to connect us to the vast sea of information out there.

Subbie 2.0

I own a Subaru Forester. It is the best car I have ever owned. Its small and fast. Yet it can swallow up anything I try to put in it. Great for a weekend getaway with my wife or a trip to the beach or camping. Like most Subaru owners I love this car. I proselytize this car to other people thinking of buying a new car.
That being said, Subaru needs to change a few things when the sad day comes and i need to let go of Subie.
1.Interior
The interior seats need an upgrade for longer rides. My wife and I are tall and we cant find a comfortable position in the front seats. Keep the heated seats. I love me some heated seats.
The cup-holders need to be moved to the floor. I have spilled too much coffee on my center console on these pull out cup holders than I have drank. Thankfully this is already done in newer models. Move the radio up on the Center console. Make the A/C heating controls auto and dual climate. Like my mom says, “Nothing saves a marriage like dual climate control”.
Make the radio an HD radio and one CD input. include an ipod audio. power/controls jack and a place to stash the ipod.
I have an auto dimming rearview mirror with a compass in it. Ditch the compass because it doesn’t work and I’ll have a GPS receiver by then anyway. Include a place to plug in the GPS receiver.
Heads up display of speed and fuel and RPM would be perfect.
The engine needs to be hybrid. I know Subaru talk a big game about Subaru loving the environment and your low impact factory, but $50 dollars to fill up my 4 cylinder car is hurting big time and Toyota and Honda have options for small box wagons too. Its a 2001 car, I should not be getting 20mpg. I suggest you go all electronic on the “Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive System”. If you put 4 electric motors at the wheels you save space in the center drive train as well as weight for two differentials. Plus the weight is moved out to the wheels which make this car even more balanced. Some guys in England did this to a Mini, you can do it to Subie.
Exterior. I own a Subaru. I don’t care about the exterior. But please use a wind tunnel to reduce drag. Sometimes I feel like most of the gas goes to fighting the drag my brick on wheels creates.
If you could put two more seats in the trunk without increasing the length of the car then go for it.
The back door needs a redo. When I have my surfboard on the rack. I cannot open the trunk.
This needs to change. I suggest that you make the rear window a retractable one into the rear door like Toyota does with the Land Cruiser

Computer will become Apliances, and some other random thoughts

The other day I made frozen waffles for my wife. On one side they were crispy and almost burnt and on the other side they were still a little soggy. It is not my toaster, its all toasters. They suck. Thats when I thought to my self, “I wish Apple made a toaster”. Not because I am such a big Apple fan, but because Apple makes products that work. Apple cares about the user experience.
Its been a bumpy and long rode for a company that brought us the personal computer. but Apple is slowly show other companies what the future might be. Recently Apple introduced itunes on the iphone and ipod touch. This is the first time you do not have to us a PC or Mac to get songs on your ipod. Like my Nokia e70. I do not have to tether it to get a new program on it. i can download and install over the air. The internet will find a way into every device we own. this two way conversation between people and people, between people and devices, and between devices and devices is the future.
maybe in the future i can get a toaster that works perfectly every time.