-- Conversations, reminders, lists -- what to pick up at the grocery store, for instance -- will be recorded, stored, analyzed and kept for retrieval at a later date using portable as well as stationary devices, including mobile phones that have built-in microphones and video cameras. "Think of it as having your own personal search engine," Nunes said.

For instance, the sort of hallway conversation you might have with a colleague about a work project could be recorded so that details you discussed on the fly can be recalled. Software would permit you to provide the colleague's name or the date of the conversation or general topic to retrieve it, so you wouldn't have to remember much in the way of detail to receive a memory prod.