Remember the days before Windows, cheap desktops and increasingly fast microprocessors? Back then, we had an Amstrad CPC 6128k, complete with a green screen and a floppy disk drive.

I loved it. The graphics were basic,it took ages to load games and you’d spend  hours typing lines and lines of code into it to get it a small graphic to bounce across the screen. They weren’t exactly crammed with memory and processing power, but we were amazed by them all the same.

Fast forward to today, and Intel has just announced a new 48-core chip. To put it in perspective, we’re just up to chips with six to eight cores.

It’s being referred to as a ‘single-chip cloud computer’, and according to Intel, it could change the way we interact with computers. Intel’s take on it:

“Imagine, for example, someday interacting with a computer for a virtual dance lesson or on-line shopping that uses a future laptop’s 3-D camera and display to show you a “mirror” of yourself wearing the clothes you are interested in. Twirl and turn and watch how the fabric drapes and how the color complements your skin tone.

“This kind of interaction could eliminate the need of keyboards, remote controls or joysticks for gaming. Some researchers believe computers may even be able to read brain waves, so simply thinking about a command, such as dictating words, would happen without speaking.”

Not sure I’m too keen on the brainwave tapping…