Op-Ed: Microsoft video offers stunning vision for future of mobile

With smartphones becoming as commonplace as wrist watches, it's only a matter of time before they also start to take control of other gadgets in our lives. In this video, Microsoft offers a stunning view of what is possible.

Today when we talk about smartphones and the various things we wish they could do for us, the common response is "There's an app for that!" The mobile phone has long been viewed as one of the single most powerful gadgets we own not just because it functions as a computer and phone, but because of the potential to use it as a way to control other pieces of technology in our lives. A new video created by Microsoft (below) gives an updated view at what could be possible, and it's nothing short of remarkable. Interactive touch screens are gearing up to play a vital role in our lives and Microsoft's vision of the future puts that concept front and center. The 6-minute video titled “Productivity Future Vision (2011)" shows how technology, namely mobile devices, can be used to control other things in our lives in real-time. They let us communicate, do business, talk with family and play games, but they are also one day poised to be the central devices in our lives and critical to how we interact with other pieces of technology. The video also shows how other mobile devices such as touchscreens and tablets will play a role an interact with mobile devices. We're a long way off from the vision Microsoft has presented in this video, but based on how far we've come with smartphones and mobile devices, it doesn't seem as sci-fi as it once did. We're already starting to see the virtual assistant-type technology evolve with Apple's Siri, and the majority of kids under the age of 8 are using mobile devices regularly. Smartphones and mobile technology are everywhere. The future is not that far off anymore. Check out the video below: If you're on a mobile phone and have trouble viewing this video, bookmark this page to see the video on a desktop