Not that many years ago, I described my tech vision of the future as a device that would fit into a cradle and serve as the basis for all computing. You could carry it in your pocket, and it would serve as your mobile phone, TV set, MP3 player, and handy GPS device. I would often discuss this imaginary device in public speeches. During my PowerPoint presentation, the last feature I'd list for the device was a LoJack capability, since people would want to steal these things. That was for laughs.

Now it seems that Apple is going in this direction, to some extent, with the iPhone. So, I have to wonder why I've soured on my own vision of the future. Is my skepticism regarding Apple clouding my logic? Or is it something else? Something perhaps like, uh, reality?

First, the iPhone is not intended to be a computer replacement, but an iPod replacement and a phone—for now. Maybe it will have GPS built in at some point. Maybe it will actually run OS X and be a pocketable computer. Let's assume it's exactly what I was predicting: the be-all and end-all killer device of all time.

So, why am I souring on the device? And why am I demonstrating the same characteristics I criticize others for exhibiting—namely, judging a product one way or another without ever having seen or used it?

Why? Why? Why?

It's probably for the same reason that I stopped giving that speech over two years ago. I have not been talking about this futuristic pocket-sized computer because I no longer believe in the concept, after being slapped by reality once too often. When the iPhone came along, I was already sour on the entire idea of any sort of device consolidation, whether it be from Apple or anyone else. And, in fact, as one of the few people in North America with a Swedish touch-screen NeoNode phone, which is similar to the iPhone, I've already been playing with essentially the same thing for nearly two years. (Actually, I may have the only one in North America, since it had to be custom-made to work here. It's a great conversation piece.)—next: Disgusting Phone Fashion >