Forget phone numbers and email addresses; the era of the Internet “handle” is emerging.Instead of having to remember someone’s phone number or email address, in just a few years we might be able to find an individual over the Internet via his or her handle, or nickname.This would be similar to the way handles are used in instant messaging or on Skype, except that the handle would apply to all modes of getting in touch. “People will no longer seek each other’s phone numbers or email address[es] when establishing personal or working relationships,” wrote Gartner analyst Adib Ghubril in a report on mobile predictions for 2012 and beyond. “Instead, they will ask each other, ‘What’s your handle?’ “ Handles could have a huge advantage, Ghubril said. They may remain unchanged for life, or at least for a long time.To use the handle format, an individual would need a personal Web page that could be accessed via his or her handle. On that Web page, the user would store phone numbers and email addresses, making sure to keep them up to date. Of course, such a system would require a new generation of contact-management applications designed to work in this way.This version of this story was originally published in Computerworld‘s print edition. It was adapted from an article that appeared earlier on Computerworld.com. Related content news analysis Apple earnings: About that iPhone 'slump' in China Based on information from Thursday's earnings report, it seems that data pointing to an iPhone slump in China were over-baked. By Jonny Evans May 03, 2024 9 mins iMac iPhone Apple news Microsoft begins to phase out ‘classic’ Teams Microsoft is encouraging Teams customers to move to the new, faster version of the collaboration app; the older version will be switched off next year. By Matthew Finnegan May 03, 2024 3 mins Microsoft Teams Collaboration Software Productivity Software news analysis Apple confirms it will open up the iPad in Europe this fall The latest efforts to comply with Europe’s Digital Markets Act mean developers can offer to side load apps to both iPhones and iPads in the EU. Apple has also taken steps to improve what it offers to smaller and non-commercial developers in the By Jonny Evans May 02, 2024 6 mins iPad Apple Mobile Apps news Udacity offers laid-off US workers free access to its courses for 30 days Sign-ups will be available over the next 30 days By Lucas Mearian May 02, 2024 4 mins Technology Industry IT Jobs IT Skills Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe