Any technology development from an idea takes a while to produce a prototype. There are many methods to reach an objective. It is like an automobile that can run on a diesel engine, gasoline engine, rotary engine, fuel cell/electric motor, sterling engine etc. The one that is economical to mass produce is the one that takes off.
There are discontinuities in the technological development too. We really do not know, what specific gadget will dominate next ten years anymore than what new toy will be hot next christmas season. So who knows: Optical computing, Quantum Computing, Protein Computing....
Whatever it is, it will be faster than what we have today. You can talk to it, access news, information, store and retrieve information and so on.
Here is my view of the future(because I am designing it today):
Everyone will have a PDA type gadget that will connect to your homebase computer via wireless network. The same gadget will also connect to your office base computer. You talk to your PDA for all your communication needs. You can access any information you subscribe to, order pizza, plane ticket, rental car so on. Every transaction you do on your daily routine will be via the PDA. When you show up at the hotel, you will be automatically checked in to your prefered room. Your PDA will act as the room key for the duration of your stay and so on.
The PDA will have your personality, your likes and dislikes and so on...You get the point...