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Well, at least in the traditional sense. In the very near future, I believe computers are soon going to be multi-touch environments and your keyboard will be a touch screen, similar to the iPad and other on-screen devices.

In 2007, microsoft released a new product the most of us never noticed - the Microsoft Surface. Originally intended for high-end commercial ventures, I believe computers like the Surface have a future in your house. The Surface is a multi-touch computer very similar in function to the iPad. The device is all about "hands on" interaction and intuitive controls. This year at CES (the Consumer Electronics Show 2010) Microsoft showcased the new flatscreen model of the Surface (now available as a desk surface or a vertical wall map).

Companies like Amnesia Connect are already capitalizing on the Surface technology writing apps that alow your iPhone, iPad or Windows 7 phone to integrate easily. Check out the video below:

Amnesia Connect from Amnesia Razorfish on Vimeo.

The iPad was the first widely accepted tablet computer and everyone else is following quickly. Perhaps sooner than you may think, our phones, tablets and computers are all going to be multi-touch devices. We already see it in our mobile devices, but the full integration is inevitable.

We have a very exciting future in store for us - in the way we manage our content, explore the virtual world, communicate with people and present our ideas. Finally art and function are joining. The days of clunkiness are slowly becoming a part of computer history.

What does this mean for content creators?

I believe this is not only good news for the consumer, but good news for the developer and content creators as well. More and more the goal is to push content to digital devices. The challenge is finding devices that people will actually use. Case in point - digital magazines are a great idea. The challenge is finding devices that people will actually use. The delivery method of digital magazines is cumbersome at best. Most people, when polled, admit that they don't read digital magazines. Why? Because the digital devices lack the ability to make it an enjoyable experience. PDF magazines? Old school. Flash Based Magazines? Difficult to navigate, difficult to read, and few people want to sit in front of their computer and read a magazine.

Devices like the iPad are showing us a good future for digital books and magazines. At least the multi-touch environment makes it more realistic and the screen size makes it possible. It's a huge step in the right direction, but it still has flaws. The ePub format doesn't allow for text flowing and graphic control due to the very nature of how it works. Some publishers are realizing this and are making apps that you download to read their magazine. There is no standard. Everyone is doing it their own way which is not helping the end goal.

However, technology is starting to catch up to consumer demands. As content creators keep pushing for solutions, hardware manufacturers will come through with products. As we continue to push, standards will emerge.

Taking advantage of the technology

As a content developer, there is a whole new world opening. No longer do we make one version of something (like a print layout) and call it done. Now there is a layout for the print version, a layout for the website, and a totally different layout for mobile devices. You have to build not only for the audience, but also for device that audience will be viewing the content on.

It's a lot of work, and a lot of time. But the end result gives us more opportunity to share our message with a global scale audience than ever before. Embrace the change - it's going to be a good thing.

Spread the Word.