Intel CEO Paul Otellini outlined his company's vision for future of computing at tonight's CES keynote. That vision basically entails a proactive internet that stalks you on small handheld devices called MIDs (mobile internet devices). Scared? Don't be. These devices only want to translate Mandarin and help you find Intel headquarters in Beijing.
Things kicked off with, um, a special animated version of the Buggles "Video Killed the Radio Star." In Intel's version, the internet actually does all the killing: [Singing] "Internet killed the compact disc star"…yeah, I'll spare you the rest. Basically, Otellini's point seemed to be that we're at another inflection point, one where the internet (like the PC) is poised to become completely personal.
"The internet isn't really new news anymore," Otellini admitted. "But this year is different. You're seeing TVs, stereos, set top boxes that all connect to internet with or with out a pc. A transformation is underway here."
And that transformation is just getting starting. Otellini argued that instead of having to "search" for information by going to you PC or laptop, getting on the internet and then calling up your favorite search engine, in the near future the internet will actually "reach out to you" in anticipation of all your wants and needs.
This concept was demonstrated with a MID -- or the new user-friendly acronym for UMPC. During a brief demonstration in which a picture of Beijing was superimposed on the stage, this MID (which came equipped with GPS and mobile broadband) did things like translate Chinese street signs, interpret spoken Mandarin, read and translate storefront menus and other admittedly cool things.
"What we just saw was the internet seamlessly bringing us the information we needed," Otellini said, before admitting that this context aware device had borrowed a couple of cycles from an hidden Intel Core 2 duo somewhere offstage.
On that note, Otellini said that for devices such capabilities to become a reality, there are still a few obstacles to overcome. For one, it's going to require more powerful processors that use less and less power. And it just so happens that Intel is planning on delivering those processors over the next 3-5 years. But wait, Intel can't do it alone, and there's still more obstacles. We also need:
Ubiquitous wireless broadband infrastructure - Otellini says eventually we humans will blanket the globe with this technology. And that while each broadband technology tends to have its own advantages and business models, Intel, of course, is hoping it'll be a WiMax blanket. He cites WiMax's flexibility of coverage and the ongoing trials in 70 countries as evidence that WiMax is poised for world domination, but if we get the silicon and the ubiquitous internet access, there are still a few more pieces to the puzzle.
More context on internet - Otellini says we currently have "hit or miss search" on internet. This is no good. Essentially, we need to move from searching for information on the internet to a model where information finds us. Admittedly, that's kind of creepy, and Otellini said the impetus is on us (the CE industry, chipmakers, lowly bloggers?) to provide the security and privacy that consumers will need.
Better natural user interfaces - Like everyone else in the CE industry, Otellini cited the success of Nintendo's Wii during his keynote. "The popularity of Wii is about the interface and not graphics," he said. Yup. He continued by explaining how the Wii's unique user interface allows to us to use natural motions and how that experience brings people together in new ways. But why limit that to games?
The evolution of natural interfaces (motion, facial expression mapping, etc.) will also be about social networking. In Otellini's estimation, we need a better sense of the people we're interacting with, a better sense of presence. A Third life, if you will.
Unfortunately, this social experience/experiment took the form of photorealistic 3-D avatars of the Smash Mouth band jamming in a virtual garage. Don't get me wrong: Cool technologies behind this demonstration, but virtual musicians jamming over a wireless peer-to-peer network? I'm hoping we can come up with better applications...
