2011 Horizon Report - Mobiles

According to this report, mobiles and the technology that surrounds them are rapidly coming of age. I think it could be very understated and outdated to even say that the time to adoption horizon for these capabilities is within one year or less. Looks to me like the horizon has passed and mobiles are here in mass. Even the personal computer and original cell phones didn't catch on this quickly. The iPod, iPhone and iPad are quickly becoming passe, although their utility may continue, what will be the next Apple breakthrough? As new developments such as 4G then 5G and so on come on the market these devices and many others of the same genre are not able to take full advantage of the new capabilities offered. The smart phones and mobile tablets that are the latest rage cannot be easily upgraded beyond the hardware limitations. Another technology based on rapid planned obsolescence. Sure there is continuous advancement in the software and operating systems that push the hardware limits beyond what the original vision of the system, but how long can that last. The question is whether the capabilities of untethered access to an essentially infinite store of information, both useful and otherwise, are worth the risk of obtaining the material goods required if they are only going to be obsolete long before your next birthday? Since we are living in the 21st century, the answer of course is going to be a resounding YES. This is after all the age of excess of consumption and the Applephiles are leading the charge. Though the attempt at Abilene Christian University to go mobile throughout the campus is quite admirable. Basing a system on a single platform, albeit very proprietary at that, in this day and age when more adaptable, cross-platform and open source means are readily available seems short sighted.