Big Seven Mobile Broadband Developments in the Next Five Years

Some of these already exist in some fashion or other; but usually not in a wider sense whereby there's a critical mass or a price point that makes this feasible. Here are my top picks for broadband mobile possibilities in the next five years:

1. Bluetooth 'smart' keyboard for an iPhone-like device. 'Smart' here means that the keyboard is big enough for clunky hands like mine, but maps back to a screen shot that highlights the relevant activity -- such as typing letters and words, or browsing with a mouse, etc.

2. Wimax or LTE and/or 700 MHz and/or broadcasters 'digital spectrum' networks that build on the existing Wifi infrastructure such that 'campus' environments are broadband wireless areas outside and indoors; and connected to larger urban and regional 'meshes.' Key interoperability agreements amongst the big telecom wireless providers (Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile) and wireline broadband providers - Time Warner, TCI, Comcast, Cox, Verizon (wireline), AT&T Cable, and others; leads to an acceleration of device innovation coupled with software apps on standard and stable mobile platforms. (I know, dream on).

3. Rapid advancements in security and identity management for major efficiency applications for mobile-based transactions. For example, 'shopping' in advance using a browser; and then picking up the groceries or other items in a drive through that avoids long lines and the items are pre-packaged for pick up.

4. Again, security and identity management advancements enable secure medical records for patient access and increasingly self management of these records for greater efficiency, reliability, and opening up new choices for patients who can seek feedback based on 'digital examinations' of records. In the longer run, mobile devices may be able to offer greater patient monitoring and sometimes diagnosis. But for immediate economic gains for all, the key is to tie identity management with standardized patient records. This creates new efficiencies for the industry and new opportunities for patients.

5. Municipal and informal transportation ride services. From GPS and real-time updates of a specific bus, train, plane, or related car for reliable and efficient travel that avoids driving; to mobile networks that are based and trusted verification processes and that allow travelers to 'hitch' a ride to virtually anywhere at nearly anytime with someone in the network based on some type of 'credits' or even monetary transfers. Additionally, it would be wonderful to see mobile communications provide daily biking commutes across cities whereby GPS and real-time prompts create efficient 'mass' rides -- efficient in that vehicular traffic is minimally disrupted and bikers are much safer riding as a 'mass.'

6. Reliable and standardized institutional and inter-institutional calendaring from mobile to Web to print.

7. Advanced voice recognition for voice and video, Web transactions, and for retrieving data.

I'm sure there's more ... but I guess those are my big seven broadband mobile wishes in the next five years.