Quantcast
PCWorld.com is upgrading some back-end systems. Some site features, such as user registration, may be temporarily unavailable.

20/20 Foresight

Here are the 20 products, trends, and technologies that will change PCs in 2002--and beyond.

Daniel Tynan

  • 0 Yes
  • 0 No

Cell Phones: Bandwidth on the Run

New cell phone network: What is it? Mobile phones that will be able to access the Internet at blistering speeds. What's cool? Significantly more bandwidth. The third-generation (so-called "3G") cellular network promises data rates from 384 kbps to 2 mbps--more than 100 times the puny rate today's cellular networks employ. The speed increase should open the way for a host of applications for cell phones and PDAs, from streaming audio and video to sophisticated real-time data manipulation. When's it coming? Verizon and Sprint were slated to begin U.S. trials in late 2001, but broad deployment is still three to five years away. What's the catch? Warring cellular standards in Europe and the United States could sow confusion and slow consumer acceptance. And the cell carriers have yet to prove that they can make voice transmission--let alone data transmission--as reliable as users want. Impact meter: 6

  • Recommend this story?
  • 0 Yes
    0 No

Dell's December Days of Deals

Featured APC Accessories

  • APC Back-UPS ES Safeguards your equipment from damaging surges and spikes that travel along your utility & data lines.
  • APC Smart-UPS Loaded with cutting-edge features, unique battery life predictor, unbeatable on-line efficiencies and software agents allowing remote UPS monitoring. Get 10% off your entire kart purchase!

People who read this also read:

  • 15 Minutes to a Secure Business Get the Secure in 15 toolkit starting with the "15 Minutes Month-at-a-Glance" calendar. McAfee will send you additional tools and tricks to stay protected around the clock.
  • A Buyer's Guide to Data Protection Implementing data protection products and processes can be daunting. Make the right decisions by exploring what is available and what makes sense for your organization. Use this simple guide to evaluate different vendor offerings.

Sponsored Links