I think this is the future. Perhaps not quite exactly- and not quite in our life times. But- as the demand for smaller portable tech as well as more powerful portable tech increases- it would make sense to use some sort of flexible screen with a connection to a more powerful machine. A drone- a small- foldable unit (like already exists) that handles most of the processing and non local network communications. Not EVERYONE would have or need this- somewhat like not everyone has or needs a hotspot (or once upon a time a smart phone... cell phone... pager... etc.)
But such units could provide an advantage in perspective- which registers have the shortest lines? Best foot path through a crowd, how far away is the bus or train? Is there someone up ahead out of view? For civilian and law enforcement these units could serve as a second pair of eyes- noticing and highlighting things you miss, can’t see, or are distracted from. They could also act as a “buddy” so that when you go to meet someone for a blind date or off Craigslist to buy/sell etc- you aren’t alone. Smart algorithms combined with wearable tech like what we already have for g force, heart rate, etc- could enable your little buddy to automatically notify the requisite people in emergencies- even follow a perpetrator and gather/sent data like photos, license plates or vehicle transponder ID, current location etc.
They could also supplement smart tech by Gavin some capable to perform tasks in the real world for you- perhaps getting a drink from the fridge or something of this nature- and more powerfully or specially equipped units for military/LEO or people with disabilities could perhaps do even more. A drone could possibly save with or instead of a service animal- eliminating costly training, delays, complications and costs of a living creature, and being able to serve those with allergies or other animal related issues while also not requiring the special attention and consideration animals often do.
Combined with AR technology- and especially if networked together- these drones could present a whole new way to live life. Imagine all the power and waste we would save if instead of decorating for holidays (much of which often get thrown out like balloons etc...) we digitally decorated? Imagine how less wasteful we could make buildings if they were constructed with little attention to aesthetics because people would view them with virtual overlays that made them “pretty”?
With advancements in things like directional sound- your drone could communicate with you or others without the need of ear buds etc- and without others being disturbed. Using this directional sound counter to background frequencies- your drone could also act as a “noise canceler” for background noise around you- while allowing important or critical sounds to be heard.
a) lucid dream
b) die and become a ghost, controlling your corpse with telekinesis