Forbes’ Arik Hesseldahl has written an interesting article on the possibility of using higher capacity iPods as personal data storage devices in the future. “By some estimates, the average American consumer generates some 100GB worth of data in the form of financial, health, academic and other records over the course of a lifetime. How useful would it be for your new doctor if, on the first visit, you were able to furnish your complete personal and family medical history from an iPod-like device? Often half the battle against bureaucracy is having the sufficient information in hand to prove you are who you say you are. Having easy access to a digital birth certificate might save a lot of time in applying for a passport. Having an always-available copy of an academic transcript or a professional portfolio could come in handy at job interviews… When most people look at the iPod and devices like it, they see a shift in how music is being packaged and sold. But I’m starting to think we’re seeing the onset of a more profound change in the kind of information we track and how we use it. Music is just the beginning.”