Re: The real enemy: netbook manufacturers
 

What a relief! There is a huge world outside of the USA with sensible networks.

Re: The real enemy: netbook manufacturers
 

And how do I put that in my pocket?

Re: The real enemy: netbook manufacturers
 

In Soviet Russia netbook pockets you!

Re: The real enemy: netbook manufacturers
 

Bzzt. Wrong.

The obstacles are:

1) Battery lifetime/power source, as you said.
2) pocketable/phone devices with enough CPU power and CPU compatibility with desktop apps
3) pocketable/phone devices with KVM capability

If your phone had enough CPU power to run the same apps as your desktop, and still keep enough battery life (through battery capacity and/or CPU efficiency), and you could plug it into your KVM switch, and/or into a docking shells/companion-devices that had the shape options of (slate-tablet, netbook, laptop, full-desktop), then you don't need "shape shifting" technology. You pick the shells/companion-devices that suit your needs, and go from there. 1 CPU/storage device for all use cases.

And, there are actually 2 other limits that will keep us from fully replacing desktops and laptops with this "one device":

4) storage density -- you'll always be able to put more and faster storage into larger devices. The best you can count on here is: having storage density improve enough that you don't _care_ about being able to store more at home.

To some extent, 2-4 can be off-set, somewhat, by moving applications and storage into the cloud. Which brings us to the 5th hurdle:

5) network ubiquity -- you can't displace the other factors with cloud storage, cloud computing, remote access to your home storage, etc., without an ever-present, affordable, broadband network. Don't count on that happening any time soon.

Re: The real enemy: netbook manufacturers
 

The big problem for devices like these will be when we evolve to have functional telepathy. Then all communications devices will be rendered obsolete. Imagine a Beowolf cluster of Einstein clones :)

Re: The real enemy: netbook manufacturers
 

I expect we'll have direct neural interfaces (DNI) (and thus a telepathic-like ability to communicate with our gadgets, wired and/or wireless) before we have real telepathy. That will help these devices, more than hurt them. No more keyboards at all -- just dictate via thought. Then the only things you'll worry/care about in device formfactor are:

screen size/resolution (assuming it doesn't have the ability to display via DNI as well)
battery life
CPU power/application compatibilty
WAN (type, affect on battery, etc.)

oh, and, probably security ... if not security of the device then security of the DNI.

Imagine a set of (sun)glasses, where the frame, arms, and strap behind the arms function as a non-invasive DNI (ie. a sensor grid, not a plug), and the glasses function as an augmented reality/HUD display, and there are ear-buds or earphones that connect to the arms. There would also be microphones in the frames, both for conversations and recordings, as well as noise cancellation and augmented reality/enhanced-hearing. There may also be 360 motion/optical sensors to help with proximity sensors around your body. Then you connect it (via wire or wireless USB or bluetooth) to a WWAN/PDA/phone gadget that you keep in your pocket. You'd control it through a combination of head tilt/orientation, voice, and brain activity. And, with the MIT finger-tip sensor UI, you could possibly add that to the control mechanisms.

Re: The real enemy: netbook manufacturers
 

great thinking ! we will assemble an army to battle them at once !