I actually don't think that computers capable of doing stuff other than media consumption will get more expensive.
I actually think the opposite will happen and you can already see the start of this.
Look at things like Raspberry Pi , ODROID and arduino. Very hackable stuff at rock bottom prices.
With faster internet connectivity comes access to remote virtual machines which can be rented by the hour and make stuff like huge scale data processing accessible to the teenage hacker in his bedroom.
Ultimately the future will require more people to understand not just how to use the tech on a basic level but people who can innovate with it.
If the US doesn't do this , another nation will and be all the richer for it.
Of course there will always be a market for passive consumption type devices as well as specialised ones. It's just that these used to be radios , TVs , CD players , calculators and nintendo consoles now they are iPads.
"Ultimately the future will require more people to understand not just how to use the tech on a basic level but people who can innovate with it."
This. While in one sense it is profitable to rope off technology and control it - having the general population embrace the skill set of working with computers is far more profitable overall for everyone.
In 100 years, every single person will have grown up in a world dominated by electronics with the presence of the internet. Being a fact of life makes the barrier of entry a lot lower than it is today when there are more options.
Look at things like Raspberry Pi , ODROID and arduino. Very hackable stuff at rock bottom prices. With faster internet connectivity comes access to remote virtual machines which can be rented by the hour and make stuff like huge scale data processing accessible to the teenage hacker in his bedroom.
Ultimately the future will require more people to understand not just how to use the tech on a basic level but people who can innovate with it.
If the US doesn't do this , another nation will and be all the richer for it.
Of course there will always be a market for passive consumption type devices as well as specialised ones. It's just that these used to be radios , TVs , CD players , calculators and nintendo consoles now they are iPads.