The Future of Computer Interfaces

#ai #showerthoughts

I am not sure what can be considered the first home computer that really took off. I remember playing with my Dad's ZX Spectrum (released 1982) as a kid and later with a Windows 3.1 PC (released 1992) that came in that delightful beige colour.

The computer I had was being thrown away at my Dad's work so he bought it home for me. I think it might have even been slightly smoke stained from when they used to smoke in the office.

I can't remember the exact spec of this computer, but it likely had less than 5 MB of RAM and a hard disk that measured in MB instead of TB.

Yes it was slow, bulky, ugly but even though 30 years have passed, if I showed my children a picture of it they would unmistakably recognise it as a computer.

It had a keyboard and a mouse (albeit a roller ball one) just like all the desktop computers we use today. The invention of the iPhone in 2007 revolutionised how we interact with handheld computers but the desktop computers where “actual” work is done hasn't really changed.

Even though AI is the hot thing right now, how we interact with them hasn't changed much. In some cases an admin panel has been replaced with a chat interface, but we are still using a keyboard and mouse to talk to them.

Companies are certainly investing into the future of computer interfaces:

OpenAI buys Jony Ives Io AI companion company for $6.5 billion
Meta have partnered with Ray-Ban to produce AI glasses — with adverts featuring Chris Hemsworth and Chris Pratt.
Meanwhile Apple is looking to release Apple Vision Pro 2 sometime next year.

I am not sure what the future of computers will look like, but I would hope in another 30 years we won't still be using a keyboard and mouse to interact with them.

My ideal would be a complete AR environment with virtual screens and holographic visuals that you can interact with. A voice assistant that actually understands what you are saying and can assist you with anything. I could then build applications by drawing on a virtual whiteboard and bounce ideas off of a virtual assistant.

Yes I basically just want this holographic computer from Iron Man, complete with a slightly sarcastic J.A.R.V.I.S.

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