So... size matters

For something like this to work, it can't be too big, nor too small. Obviously we can't have a device that fits in your pocket, because that would limit what it could do. So let's say it should have the surface area size of an A5 piece of paper and be no more than say 7mm thick ? and can fit into your handbag or man-bag.

Think about how awesome a device will be that you can turn lengthwise, put down on a table and type with all ten fingers on a full-on QWERTY touch-screen keyboard. Or slap it down on your car's dashboard and use as a GPS navigation device with nice large maps.

Furthermore, your finger becomes the mouse (or a stylus for better accuracy) ? click and drag images and files from one folder to the other, quickly punch in a number to dial, browse through a full page calendar to check your appointments, etc.

But wait, that's not all!

As mentioned before, I'd like to be able to use The Device as a phone. It'll have to be hands-free of course, which means it'll have to have a built-in, very sensitive microphone. Add a high-quality webcam and some solid built-in speakers and you have yourself the video-call device of the future.

Seriously, I'm getting very excited just thinking about all of this!

In fact, imagine incorporating a service like Google Wave into it: in one screen you and a friend can talk while exchanging pictures, scribble diagrams to each other, look up something on the internet and copy and paste it to each other ? all in real-time!

Are we there yet?

Probably not ? at least not in South Africa, because for something like this to be feasible you'll need some solid infrastructure, e.g. no more slow connections and no download caps. In fact, it'll have to be completely portable, so you'll need to invest in wireless coverage.

And I'm not even talking about battery-life ? 2.5 hours standard operating life will just not cut it anymore.

But maybe by the time the third-generation of devices roll out, you'll be able to finally throw away all your other stuff and just take The Device with you wherever you go.

Hopefully Steve Jobs and his Apple cohorts will elevate us in the right direction tonight when they unveil their new toy. I'm certainly holding my breath.

Or what say ye? Leave a comment below!