The pace at which everything is turning into a fully-fledged computer is frightening. For more than 30 years now electronic devices have been fitted with memory modules and microprocessors, but until now these chips were transparent for the consumer. This means he did not need to be aware of their presence and could operate the device "normally", understand simply, the chips would do their job unobtrusively in the background. Despite the inclusion of these chips a TV was still a TV, a camera a camera and a phone a phone.
Today the level of integrated computerisation of a large number of consumer electronics, and even automotive equipment, is turning the world upside down. Not only do we find memory and microprocessor chips in the very heart of a machine, but also in hard disks, LCD colour monitors and full operating systems, not to mention a plethora of features and menus so deeply rooted that only two kind of people can operate them efficiently: IT graduates and clever teenagers.
Take Nikon's latest digital SLR camera, the D80, announced for release next month. In addition to the usual functions, digital storage and colour screen, the D80 offers the possibility of post-processing photos without a computer, just like one would do with Adobe Photoshop on a Pentium or Macintosh desktop computer, albeit with less functionality perhaps. After taking a photo, and without the need to transfer it to a computer, the D80 lets you zoom, crop, adjust brightness, colour and contrast, enhance light in shadows and so forth. Nikon and Canon produce professional digital cameras that, in addition to expected USB connectivity, have built-in wi-fi (wireless Internet).
Instead of saying this is a camera with computerised functions and capability, perhaps it would be more accurate to say it is a computer, the main function of which is to work as a camera. Just like a smartphone is actually a pocket computer that "also" can be used as a mobile phone.
Digital pianos have also come of age and the sound of the latest professional models by Roland and Yamaha is one step closer to that of an authentic Steinway and other acoustic grand pianos. The front panel of these keyboards, however, with its colour LCD screen, countless buttons, hard disk storage and menus, resembles the onboard computer of a space ship much more than a traditional piano. One has the right to ask whether this is an advanced, complex computer that produces music or just a piano.
The Nikon D80 and the new digital pianos are just examples of extremely computerised electronic apparatus. Satellite receivers, TV sets with built-in hard disk based DVD recorders, digital cameras, camcorders, smartphones, wall clocks with laser projection, stereo systems, and even some types of high-end luxury cars -- the list of devices that are being deeply, extensively computerised is endless. In the future they may all be called computers and lose their original names.
By Jean-Claude Elias
© Jordan Times 2006
