Ask HN: What Will Replace Smartphones?

#1

Post by anoopmunshi » Mon, Aug 17, 2020, 4:01 PM UTC

I have been wondering, since over a year and trying to ponder what is next big tech which will replace smartphones? and yet I am unable to land on a single big idea which has the potential or a idea of mine which could.

So, what would it be?

Re: Ask HN: What Will Replace Smartphones?

#2

Post by mgn01 » Mon, Aug 17, 2020, 4:05 PM UTC

A chip inside your brain if the transistor gets small enough.

Re: Ask HN: What Will Replace Smartphones?

#3

Post by ramsj » Mon, Aug 17, 2020, 4:07 PM UTC

AR glasses.

Re: Ask HN: What Will Replace Smartphones?

#4

Post by t0mmyb0y » Mon, Aug 17, 2020, 4:09 PM UTC

My take is that it will be an evolution of the smart device. Wearable in many ways, IOT to all your other stuff, etc.

Re: Ask HN: What Will Replace Smartphones?

#5

Post by cloudking » Mon, Aug 17, 2020, 6:03 PM UTC

AR contact lens

Re: Ask HN: What Will Replace Smartphones?

#6

Post by UncleOxidant » Mon, Aug 17, 2020, 6:08 PM UTC

mgn01 wrote: post #2

A chip inside your brain if the transistor gets small enough.

Transistors are likely already small enough, figuring out how to connect them to the right neurons safely and reliably is likely the gating tech at this point.

Re: Ask HN: What Will Replace Smartphones?

#7

Post by HelloFellowDevs » Mon, Aug 17, 2020, 6:48 PM UTC

ramsj wrote: post #3

AR glasses.

At the risk sounding like a broken record for when we talk about new platforms. What, could one imagine to be the 'Killer App' that drives most of the worlds population to AR Glasses?

Re: Ask HN: What Will Replace Smartphones?

#8

Post by pomatic » Mon, Aug 17, 2020, 6:52 PM UTC

A personal device providing internet connectivity (currently a hotspot, but further evolved) + multiple local devices using that connectivity. No need for SIM and data subscription for tablet, laptop, voice comms, video comms etc. Essentially, what was envisioned by the original bluetooth PAN concept (but not necessarily implemented as BT). The aggregrated uplink is much more scalable for cellular providers, low power budget for locally connected devices means they last longer/are cheaper to make. You are one SIM (or eSIM) - great for surveillance...

Re: Ask HN: What Will Replace Smartphones?

#9

Post by RunningDroid » Mon, Aug 17, 2020, 6:59 PM UTC

HelloFellowDevs wrote: post #7

ramsj wrote: post #3

AR glasses.

At the risk sounding like a broken record for when we talk about new platforms. What, could one imagine to be the 'Killer App' that drives most of the worlds population to AR Glasses?

IMO the QOL applications of the tech could be enough /if/ the software & hardware are FOSS, low price, and easily available. They probably won't be FOSS though because each of the megacorps wants total control over that market but it's nice to dream.

Re: Ask HN: What Will Replace Smartphones?

#10

Post by pomatic » Mon, Aug 17, 2020, 6:59 PM UTC

HelloFellowDevs wrote: post #7

ramsj wrote: post #3

AR glasses.

At the risk sounding like a broken record for when we talk about new platforms. What, could one imagine to be the 'Killer App' that drives most of the worlds population to AR Glasses?

Hobbies. You are knitting - you see AR overlay of next stitch(es). You are servicing you car - you see an overlay of the part you are dismantling. You and your mate are doing yoga - you see an overlay of how they are supposed to hold the pose. You are a watch collector, browsing potential purchases in a physical shop - you see an overlay of history and recent sale prices for the piece. You are into electronics - you can see the datasheet associated with the device you are looking at, at a glance. Or the instrument reading without looking away. And so on... Possibilities genuinely seem endless and relatively mass market.

Pre Coronovirus, a killer app might have been translation. (menus, street signs, etc). Hey ho.