The ‘OS’ is so last year

I have been travelling a lot these past weeks. I have even set a new record for myself: nine countries, in nine days! As I have been getting on and off ‘planes, I have had more of an opportunity to read a newspaper to help beat the boredom of travel. In one of the papers I was reading, what really caught my eye was an advert for a new ‘phone.  It looked great, nice screen and keyboard. My eyes meandered down the list of key features highlighted in the advert. It looked, just the job as I am starting to tire of my current smartphone.  However, I really wanted to know what operating system (OS) is used. What?? For reasons I will save you from, this is important to me for the moment. Now, the advert did not call out the OS, subsequently, I had to go and check the web site to find this out.

In travelling around and meeting with the Press, invariably the conversation gets round to a discussion about ‘what will be the threats in the future’? Now, predicting the future is a notorious game. However, I have long held the view that we are seeing the future being played out today. Our world is all about the internet and that is what will be attacked and wherein where the threats will come.  What is important, is having access to the ‘net at all times and in a flexible and adaptable way. Increasingly, we see the ‘net and our daily lives through a ‘browser’. We are seeing the browser being attacked and exploited. Whilst, at the same time, the browsers are becoming increasingly platform or OS, agnostic. You just expect your favourite browser experience to be available to you, never mind what device you are using, or where you are. Now, we are not quite there yet, but the direction is set. Which, gets me back to that advert for the new smartphone.

I really need to listen to myself a little more. The ‘OS’ really need not matter to me – I need to conquer that particular addiction. I need only concern myself with whether I can connect to the ‘net, surf and email, listen to music, use the GPS and watch movies. Importantly, that it should be safe at all times and in all situations.

October 19, 2008 | Filed Under Latest Gadget, Security, Technology | Leave a Comment