As they once did with automatic door technology now found in supermarkets around the world, the science fiction visionaries of the Star Trek universe have enhanced our quality of life yet again by presenting the public with the concept of a PADD.
After countless advances in computer miniaturization, software and hardware engineers around the globe become enamoured with the notion of a handheld companion to provide it's owner with access to vast quantities of information in a portable, wireless form-factor.
Now, devices with more power than a five-year-old desktop computer can fit easily into a shirt pocket, connect to the Internet, and be afforded by more people than ever before. To be sure, this technology is in it's infancy - but given another 5 years, PDA's may be as affordable and rugged as the designs presented as part of the Star Trek universe. See how today's PDA's compare to the PADD of the future.
Author: Mark Noble