Photos: How the table turned techie

HP is also putting some of its engineering resources into flexible displays. Here's one vision of how the form factor will develop.

This wireless mat can be stored in its rolled-up state, or unfurled to act as a TV screen or games board.

HP isn't the only one working on roll-up displays, however - University of Cambridge academics are also looking into using curly technology for laptops.

Photo credit: Jo Best

Here's a more traditional version of a laptop that will connect to the personal gateway. However, like the roll-up version, this laptop is a thin client model - a trend HP believes will be de rigueur in the coming years. Opting for a thin client will affect laptop design, the company believes - leading them to follow mobiles into the Razr-thin territory.

Photo credit: Jo Best

Here's the wallet of the future, shown in its open and closed states, which displays all your financial transactions and information.

Photo credit: Jo Best

The HP team has also considered turning shelves into a part of a user's personal network. When the user gets into bed, they can put their watch-come-personal hub on the shelf. Not only will the shelf charge up the watch, it can display information on screen - such as appointments for the next day.

Photo credit: Jo Best