It’s interesting to see the PC industry almost going full circle back to the mainframe business model of the 70′s, that the very PC stand alone hardware / software proposition helped revolutionize. Software is already on a path to eliminate shrinkwrap versions, thus making the latest version always the current version which reduces compatibility issues, and theoretically benefits the customer. It also boosts revenue streams and helps address counterfeiting threats. Some tenative forrays into “utility computing” drawing and paying only for the level of resource you need at a time have been made, as well as pay as you go models being tried out in emerging markets. So, what if the hardware & software players formed a consortium and really implemented ‘pervasive computing’ where virtually all public places would have pay per use computing devices. (many do today, just not like this) You could also lease different device configurations for home use the way you lease Tivo or satelite TV today. It would come along with the broadband as part of a monthly package. You’d pay for the feature level you wanted, along with a certain bandwidth potential. Initially, personal data could be stored on USB type memory and caried from home to virtually any location to be used – airport, office, coffee shop, etc. Public access would be managed much the same way that co-located ATMs are today. Further on this continum, one would just pay for online storage, accessible over the internet – no need to carry your data – go anywhere to get it. Think of it as a fusion of Web, OS and applications. I would see biometrics figuring heavily into this vision with fingerprint or retinal scans for access and billing.

I knew a security guru who put a light version of Linux and some TC/IP applications on a 64 MB USB key and could spoof your laptop with it to gain access to your company’s LAN.

Of course with that kind of capacity in such a small package data security could be a challenge, but security will ALWAYS be a challenge.

More function is being packed into cell phones so why not make them your data storage device and mini-PC.

You can get a 150 gig external drive for $80 bucks at BestBuy, less if you really want to shop it. Could the time be here for simple desktop devices with marginal internal drives?

Oh well, we’ll all be flying naked soon.