This booth will make a comeback!
I love to make predictions about future, especially when being able to connect some wild thinking with ongoing technological improvements in the world. Here is one I have been thinking for a while now: I am certain that we shall see re-introduction of phone booths in coming years!
These iconic booths will be very much connected with their original purpose: telephone and people using it. Or a mobile phone/device/computer as we nowadays call them.
The case for phone booths requires quite a bit forward looking thinking. Main Use Case connects new business models and many technological advances:
- Globally distributed Edge Computing https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edge_computing
- Digital/virtual twin technology that uses distributed edge with AI https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_twin
- A sharing business model similar to any of the Scooter startups https://www.forbes.com/sites/greatspeculations/2018/05/01/what-drives-value-at-electric-scooter-sharing-startups-like-bird/
- A smart city and modern authorities that is able to make rules and provide electricity and physical location for the booths (and mobile devices). Like my home town, Helsinki.
- Gradual change in our culture: it is not cool to own mobile computers, but rather use them and share with others. Similar behavioural change is already seen to be happening with cars https://www.drive-now.com/fi/en/helsinki
- Ultrafast and reliable wireless network (for example the promise of 5G) https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/31/technology/personaltech/5g-what-you-need-to-know.html
What will these booths then be used for? My bet is that they shall be pitstops for mobile devices, when devices are not in use by consumers. Devices will be charged and maintained by service providers while ”in garage”. During charge times, these devices can be used as device edge and perform distributed Deep Learning and other compute heavy tasks. I see a big role for mobile operator providing this service, they are already doing it (but with a different business model). It probably requires couple of startups waving the path until this becomes accepted mode of making new business and revenues.
A key aspect in this prediction is the usage of digital twins: instead of downloading all your precious apps and games into your own device, they are available for direct consumption via fast radio network from nearby edge compute infrastructure. With reliable and trusted recognition technology (like fingerprint, facial recognition, connected with blockchain) you have your user experience and services available anywhere. There is a directly consumable entity of your own services existing 24/7 in close proximity and available for use anytime.
If we get some discussion on this topic, next phase could be to investigate with more detail obvious benefits and gains provided by this approach. There are pains for sure, but solving for example recycling problem of existing mobile phones (many Western families have 10 or so old phones waiting for recycling). What do you think, is this going to happen?
