Comdex Preview: Can You Say Internet?

LAS VEGAS -- If it ain't connected, don't bother. That seems to be the unofficial pregame mantra for the yearly Comdex computer show here this week, where vendors are showing off the latest Internet appliances, Web pads, handhelds, Net-enabled cell phones, and wireless technologies.

And what about the PC, once the mainstay of this mega trade show? It's here--and doing a few new tricks to prove it's not dead.

The big focus this year, as with the past few, is less on PCs and more on Internet-specific devices, says Rob Enderle, vice president and research leader at Giga Information Group. Chief among these products is a new crop of Internet appliances from top-shelf vendors.

Creative Strategies analyst Tim Bajarin agrees. "For the last two years we've talked about Internet appliances," Bajarin says. "This year we'll actually see some."

Internet Appliance Avalanche

Show-goers can see the recently announced Gateway Connected Touch Pad. The Internet appliance runs a brand new version of America Online's proprietary Internet service called Instant AOL. Transmeta's low-power Crusoe processor and Netscape's Gecko browsing engine power the Touch Pad. (See "Gateway Announces AOL-centric Appliance.")

Also, Microsoft is discussing its prototype Web tablet PC. The device incorporates pen-based and voice-based computing with handwriting recognition. The company is also showing a new Pocket PC made by the French firm Sagem that doubles as a cell phone. (See "Microsoft to Unveil Tablet PC."

Internet appliances from other big shooters such as Compaq, eMachines, and National Semiconductor are also expected to be shown here.

Phones and PDAs Come to Comdex

Cell-phone companies are expected in force at Comdex, with giants such as Ericsson, Motorola, and Nokia showcasing their latest mobile phone handsets with Web browsers and personal information manager functions.

Microsoft is also expected to demonstrate its upcoming personal digital assistant (PDA) phone, code-named Stinger. Manufactured by Samsung, the phone uses a slimmed down version of the Pocket PC operating system and features a mobile phone handset. (See "Pocket PC to Wed Phone.")

Wireless is also the theme of PDA leader Palm, which is expected to make announcements on its wireless strategy and a new Palm portal site.

Palm's competitors are also here in numbers. Microsoft is showcasing the latest Pocket PC devices, which come from a number of partner vendors. Handspring is unveiling some 20 Springboard expansion modules for the Visor, including the Visorphone, which turns the PDA into a mobile phone. (See "Phones and PDAs Merge at Wireless Show.")