Hewlett Packard invented memristor technology in 2008 and then (in 2010) announced plans to manufacture ReRAM based on memristors together with Hynix Semiconductor in 2013. What was unclear is when the ReRAM replaces NAND flash in actual devices. At a recent event HP outlined its vision for ultra-portables in 2014-2015, which includes memristors-based storage as well as new types of displays and other technologies.

Speaking at an HP Labs event in New Zealand, John Apostolopoulos, the director of the mobile and immersive experience lab at HP Labs, shared his vision about devices like smartphones and tablets that will be available sometimes in 2014 - 2015 timeframe, reports PC World New Zealand. One of the key features of next-generation portable products will be ability to sense environments and therefore "work in context" and offer services and capabilities that are needed at a current time, in present location and/or environment. This alone will require numerous innovations in such areas as sensors, software and processing power.

When it comes to hardware, the future generations of smartphones and tablets in 2014 - 2015 will use display technology, HP's SAIL (self-aligned imprint lithography) display technology that enables thin film displays which are lighter, thinner, and most importantly, bendable. HP also proposes to use ReRAM, memristor-based storage technology that has potential to reduce power consumption of NAND flash memory, in a bid to enable higher energy efficiency and, perhaps, higher performance and reliability.

While hardware and software capabilities of next-gen portable devices do impress, a crucial thing about those smartphones and tablets will be their interactive, augmented reality and cloud-based capabilities.

Tags: HP, Memristor, ReRAM, Hewlett Packard, Hynix, SK Hynix, NAND, Flash