MAXIMUMPC MARCH 2004
Quick Start
TechnoFile Quick takes on technology trends
Is this the future? We dare you to take a look at this collection of innovative,
forward-thinking products and say otherwise!THIS MONTH: Futuristic Gear and Components
The OQO uPC
OK, so we recently made fun of OQO’s three years of vaporware
announcements for its upcoming handheld ultra personal computer,
dubbed the uPC. Well, the device finally made a flesh-and-blood
appearance at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES), and try as
we might, we found ourselves unable to ridicule it. We were surprised
to find a very nice touch added to the prototype—the uPC’s screen
slides up to reveal a handy keyboard, with a pointing stick and two
mouse buttons embedded in the face. Current specs are: a 1GHz proc,
a 20GB hard drive, 256MB RAM, and built-in Wi-Fi, all powered by a
removable lithium-polymer battery. The new launch date is the “sec-
ond half of 2004.” We’re not holding our breath, but OQO has our
attention.Smart Personal Objects Technology
We like the idea of “glanceable” technology—unobtrusive devices that sub-
tly transmit information that can be comprehended at a glance. Microsoft’s
Smart Personal Objects Technology (SPOT) initiative is pushing the concept
forward, beginning with Smart Watches that can display customized infor-
mation about your appointments, news, sports scores, or whatever it is that
you want to know, on a small LCD screen. Unfortunately, it doesn’t help
that the watches are huge, goofy-looking, require a subscription service, and
like most electronic devices, must be turned off during takeoff and landing.
We remain skeptical.4GB, .85 inch hard drive
The introduction of Toshiba’s tiny hard drives may end,
once and for all, the debate about hard drive versus flash
memory–based portable audio and video players. 4GB can
handle the MP3 load necessary for the trip to and from
Burning Man, or provide you with enough storage for
five feature-length movies in an acceptable resolution for
any portable device. Need we say more? Mass production
begins this spring—expect devices using Toshiba’s mini-
wonder by the third quarter of 2004.