Because I like speculating on future events with no hard facts or evidence behind it... How long until the keyboard as we know it is no longer the main and most common way we interface with a computer? (answer with your own educated/uneducated opinion or ask your own question, I'm bored)
Does virtual keyboard count as a keyboard? Or keyboard interface on touchscreen? These will still be used for a long while.
Virtual or touchscreen would count. Would just have to be the way let's say 75% of people interface with their computer
Do you think people will still be using napkins in the year 2000? Or is this mouth vacuum thing for real?
It's already gone... <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/t9ayYo3-33Y&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/t9ayYo3-33Y&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
I just did an assignment on this in my Project Based Systems course. The keyboard-mouse interface is known as WIMP- Window Icon Menu Pointing device. The problem with adoption of some kind of new interface is that WIMP is so good at what it does. Touchscreen is a viable interface, but it's a solution in search of a problem. However, the popularity of the iPhone and touchscreen in general is growing by leaps and bounds, and it's only a matter of time before people demand this as an interface in most computing. The other hurdle is price. Touchscreens are expensive. However, technology is fixing that, and even making old screens touch-enabled by using Displax film or IBM Everywhere Display technology. My personal opinion is that if people have to get up and move around to interface with the PC, ala Minority Report, the tech will fail to gain a major foothold. What do you want to do? Sit on your ass at a keyboard or stand up and work out to do your daily web surfing? It's the same reason why everyone buys a Wii and it gathers dust while the PS3 and 360 get more use. It's an awesome idea, but people are inherently lazy.
The technology is not as far away as people think. I'm fairly sure someone's already figured out the theory behind it. They need to debug, make a safe product and wait for a suitable time and price to introduce it to the public.
Let's just hope our scientists or smart people will figure this out quick before we go to WW3 and go back to the stone age.
I have an HP Touchsmart at work and I don't remember the last time I touched the screen for anything. IMO its cool to have, but not very practical at all.
