[gbvb]

The way I read this article, It is less about building new smartphone but more about the next technology shift that is going to change the direction. Basically, as oft repeated Ford statement goes, 'if you asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horse'. So, at this point, smartphone business is settling into a faster horse business.

So, I would really expect the next big thing to be not a be an iPhone but something utterly different. Neural implants, anyone?

[hershel]

The biggest problem the smartphone solved was boredom. That's the reason for it's popularity.

At it's core ,boredom might be manipulated neurologically, so maybe you won't feel bored and just feel content with whatever. If we're going to aggressive means as neural implants ,this seems a more interesting option.

Another options(without opening skuls) is something that offers far better experiences.

Maybe more immersive (up to a point we can't differentiate from real life).maybe something that enriches our daily interactions without interfering with them. Maybe something that help us manage emotions and brain states optimally. Maybe something that augments fluidly our cognitive capabilities without interfering with what we do.

[kubiiii]

It solved boredom by enabling to play a game a megadrive would run.

[Kliment]

Yes but a megadrive did not fit in your pocket, and the game gear, while backpackable, had awful battery life. The smartphone is successful running game gear level games because it will do so all day, and has a setup time of four seconds from impulse to game.

[kubiiii]

Plus the game gear was more a master system than a megadrive even if both would run columns (I was wondering if ppl from the US understand what a megadrive is since I think they call it genesis). Talking about battery life, I had a lynx which was even worse I think.

[fembot__]

I think you've got the tone right. Also... I hope you're right about Neural implants! I've wanted one ever since I read that MT Anderson book in JR high school (minus the dystopian homogeneity and fields of filet mignon).

Maybe Amazon will debut them on 60 Minutes prior to cyber monday 2014!

[nekopa]

I'm sorry, but fields of filet mignon sounds great. Make it fields of bacon-wrapped filets and I would call it my own personal utopia (for as long as my heart held out)

[zokier]

> So, I would really expect the next big thing to be not a be an iPhone but something utterly different. Neural implants, anyone?

Google Glass seems like a good candidate.

[xerophtye]

Yep, augmented + wearable tech seems like the future