Technology Quickly Changing Says Pew Survey

A Pew Internet and American Life Project survey of more than 1,000 journalists, technology experts, and Internet activists showed that many believe items like keyboards and laptops will be obsolete by 2012.

Lee Rainie and other Pew researchers asked survey respondents to answer questions about future scenarios in the year 2020. 

The results showed that many believe the mobile phone will be the primary Internet connection and that copy protection will decline.

One consensus among respondents was that "few lines divide professional time from personal time,” making work and play integrated.

Another consensus is that keyboards will soon be replaced with touch and talk interfaces, replacing today’s keyboard.

"The big problem with the cell phone is the (user interface), particularly on the data side. We are waiting for a breakthrough," said Hal Varian, Google’s chief economist and survey respondent.

The full report can be read on the Pew Internet website (www.pewinternet.org).