Always connected environment by 2012

HP used the tour, which is running over 12 cities across Asia-Pacific, to portray its prediction of mobility in the future.

Concepts which HP predicted included a watch (pictured) which operates as a wireless gateway. The watch acts as the central hub containing the access technologies to enables an “always connected” experience.

Other concepts include a mat which works as a flexible, portable, personal size display; a tablet which acts as a thin client type of device; a pen which offers multiple options for input; ultra-thin and light notebooks, a digital wallet which can be used for up-to-the moment transactions; a smart shelf which can allow communal displays of information; and a coffee table which loads up displays.

Phil Devlin, product marketing manager for the mobile business unit of the systems group at HP Asia-Pacific, said the watch is a personal wireless gateway, but may take another form in the future, such as a device the size of a pack of cards.

“Anyone can make the simple complicated – true creativity lies in making the complicated simple. HP’s vision of the future of mobility is a world where insanely simple devices inter-operate to deliver a cohesive, always connect lifestyle,” he said.

Devlin added that HP’s goal is to design mobility products that deliver an intuitive, pleasant and safe experience for individuals and businesses.