While the Apple iPhone is a revolutionary phone it's also something else: a revolutionary mobile computer. Six months after its release nearly everytime I use it I think to myself 'this is the future of computing'. Apple appears to think so as well according to AppleInsider, as they appear poised to become an industry leader in mobile computing devices via Intel's ultra-mobile PC platform.

With "several products" in the pipeline for 2008 this could be the biggest year in terms of Apple innovation yet (as Webomatica puts it: drool, drool). We all know a new iPhone is coming no doubt with some updated mobile technology beyond just a 3G chip, but rumors are also swirling about the thin MacBook (or MacBook Nano), a new version of the Newton, car-based Apple computer systems, new versions of the Apple TV and Mac Mini, the list goes on.

The report goes on to suggest that one of those Intel mobile chips, the Silverthorne, will be based in products that will have an average price of about $100. Currently no mobile computing device is that cheap suggesting we could be seeing a lot of new products not yet explored - an Apple Watch, Apple Keychain, an Apple Handheld Gaming Device?

When it was reported a few weeks ago that the iPhone had already captured the largest percentage of web browsing share for a mobile device - in less than 6 months - this was huge news. I'm sure Microsoft would like to downplay it, but this is likely the real battleground for those two going forward. Does anyone really think we're going to be mainly using desktop computers in 20 years? Microsoft might, but I don't. I think what we'll be using has yet to be invented, but with the iPhone we're getting closer...

[photo of an Intel prototype via AppleInsider]