Generation Z is the buzzword of the moment. Those now-16-year-olds born with iPhones in their mouths and social networked from the womb.

But, with all this excitement around a new generation to categorise and stereotype, I couldn’t help but wonder: who comes after Generation Z? What defines them, the kids being born now, and what can we call them?

There are no more letters left, so I went for the Post-Alphabet Generation.

And based on the Apple Watch keynote that just took place – post-alphabet is exactly where mobile technology is taking us.

Doodles and personalisable emoji are going to be the most frequently used form of communication. If you want to send a reply, the language in the messages you receive is scanned to automate responses. Alerts and notifications are a series of vibrations, like a tap or a nudge. Motion sensors know when you’ve lifted your wrist to even engage with your Apple Watch. There’s no keyboard, so the written alphabet is already gone in favour of dictation.

To the Post-Alphabet Generation, this first Apple Watch will be like a Nokia 3310. These, and Google Glass, won’t be fads tech giants are trying to make work. (The Apple Watch is the first sign that we’re on the way there.) In 16+ years time, they’ll have struck gold and converted us all.

Here are my initial thoughts from last month when I started thinking about the Post-Alphabet Generation and their relationship with tech. I’m publishing now after the official Apple Watch announcement because I’m interested to hear everyone else’s thoughts!

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