In the last few months there has been a lot of debate about the optimal size of a mobile device. Every week, you can read some new forecast or analysis of how different sizes are doing in the market. My opinion is that this all will be forgotten and all devices will find their place in the lives of consumers, just like "oldschool" filofaxes.
Most of us have two hands, five fingers on each, two ears and two eyes. And this will not change very soon in evolution, so all new interface designs have to take this as a starting point. There is a reason why books and booklets look like they do today, and this is the way hands and eyes are placed on us.
As of why we need these objects, sometimes we want to use smaller things to read and write shorter content but carry them around all day, and sometimes we enjoy reading an A4 sized magazine, or let's say go to the movies to watch some 3D action on the giant screen and leave that screen after 2 hours. The smartphone is most importantly an object that fits your pocket, the mini tablet is an object that fits a lady's handbag and so on.
There is no "ideal size" for a device. They will all co-exist and be used at occasions that best fit their size. It doesn't matter how much technology you squeeze into a piece of plastic or metal, if it fits your pocket, it will not be optimal for some usage situations. In other words, technology can rush ahead but our hands, eyes and pocket sizes will not change.
I would even risk an assumption like: The closer these devices will come to the physical format of the oldest books and booklets, the better user experience they will offer.
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