TECH WATCH
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Comdex/Macworld Update
Vendors hope hot new mobile tech tools will spark demand in 2003.
REPORTED BY MICHAEL ANTONIAK
Despite lingering economic uncertainty, vendors of mobile technology recently demonstrated their optimism by introducing an array of new products at several computer trade shows. As a whole, these products and product concepts underscore a driving trend to cram more features and functions into the tools you already use in the field.
At its Macworld Expo in early January, Apple Computer brought notebook computing to a new plateau with the announcement of its latest Titanium PowerBook. The company’s new model boasts 17-inch LCD screen, the largest yet seen in a portable, making it a viable desktop replacement and a challenge to other notebook vendors. Even with that screen size, the unit is less than an inch thick. It’s a bit costly at $3,299, but comes with a 1GHz G4 processor, 512MB RAM, a 60GB hard drive, and DVD-R drive for recording on DVDs.
While Apple was holding its expo, the rest of the tech industry was headed to the Consumer Electronics Show to unveil their latest innovations.
The most interesting portable introduction was at the other extreme from Apple’s super-sized notebook--a “mini-PC” the size of a paperback book. Vulcan Ventures, a company headed by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, demonstrated a prototype of this compact option. The new product is a one-pound mini-computer for those who want all their computing resources in the most compact package. Despite its size, the mini is a full-powered PC, running Windows XP and full versions of all compatible applications. Preliminary specs include a 5.8-inch LCD screen, 20GB hard drive, support for wireless networking, and USB ports for connecting full-size keyboards or other peripherals. The company reportedly is in the process of licensing this design concept to vendors, which could have the first units in stores by the fourth quarter. Its estimated price would be under $1,500.
Variations on the PDA also grabbed a share of the spotlight at CES. Hitachi is the latest hardware maker to enter the handheld arena with a Pocket PC product. Its Multimedia Communicator Pocket PC runs the Pocket PC Phone Edition operating system and will be available through Sprint for wireless voice and data communications and Internet Access. Pricing has not yet been announced. This smart phone has a mini-typewriter-style keyboard and a color LCD screen and is one in a growing list of products to boast a built-in digital camera.
Sony’s new Palm-based Clie NZ90 also features a digital camera, perhaps the best yet seen in a multifunction handheld. It offers a built-in 2 megapixel camera with 2X digital zoom for close-ups and a three-mode flash. The Clie can record brief movies as well as capture still images. It supports Bluetooth wireless connections and carries a suggested retail price of $800.
Samsung has also combined digital image capture with other features in multifunction handhelds. Both the SPH-1500, a Palm-based PDA/communicator, and the i700, which runs on Pocket PC Phone Edition, can serve as cameras. In addition to running software for the Palm or Pocket PC respectively, the phones offer voice-activated dialing as well as wireless Web and e-mail access. The digital camera is a snap-on option on the SPH-i500, while it’s built into the headset of the i700.
If your photo needs are modest, Audiovox has added the CDM-9600. Its basic camera can capture a low-resolution image suitable for viewing on the phone or sharing by e-mail. Pricing and availability have not been announced on these products.
If you could use a little direction from your handheld, literally, then Garmin’s new iQue 3600 may be the PDA for you. In addition to all the functions of a full-featured Palm PDA, it works as a GPS (global positioning satellite) device. With its flip-up GPS antenna and mapping software, the unit can pinpoint where you are and provide step-by-step directions to any address on screen or by spoken voice. Nice if you have to rush from appointment to appointment in unfamiliar territory. Suggested retail is $549.
When you don’t want to carry anything more than is necessary away from the office, consider Timex’ s new IronMan Data Link USB. This wristwatch doubles as a personal information management system. It ships with software that lets users connect the watch to a Mac or PC via USB and download contact information, schedule, and calendar from Microsoft Outlook. You can even update or revise contact information as needed on the watch. It will be offered in several styles for around $90 and should be available this spring.
No matter what your style, or what you want from your tools, there’s something for everyone in this year’s line-up of mobile solutions.
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More Resources:
For more help in selecting computer devices, click Q&A, “ Hardware.”
Buyer’s Guide: Cool Tools , November 2002.
Buyer’s Guide: Laptop Computers , January 2003.
Tech Watch: Look before You Tech , September 2002
Previously by Antoniak:
Tech Watch: Tech Strategies for 2003
A Quick Fix for E-Mailing Photos
Improve Your Web Response
Redefining Portable Computing
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Do you have technology you’d like to learn more about or a new user twist that you’d like to share with your peers? Let me know about it by e-mailing antoniak@dtccom.net, and I’ll do my best to give it the coverage it deserves.
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