Some things to come in mobile computing - CPQ is mentioned...
John
A brave new world of mobile
computing: Vendors strive to
differentiate systems
By Ephraim Schwartz
InfoWorld Electric
Posted at 5:49 AM PT, Oct 24, 1998
Segmentation in the mobile marketplace will reach a fever pitch in 1999 as top-tier notebook
vendors look to offer innovative services and products in an effort to capture the attention of
IT managers.
Compaq will work directly with corporate customers to pre-load their configuration data and
store hard drive images in depots around the globe. The pre-made drives can then be
deployed to the customers in four, 12, or 24 hours, said Ted Clark, vice president of
marketing at Compaq.
"A one-size-fits-all strategy is not the wave of the future," Clark said.
The PC giant will also use smart-card security in notebooks so that a system cannot be
accessed without it.
Compaq will incorporate proximity alarms in some notebook systems. Users will carry a
device that, for example, will alert them at airport check-in if the distance between the carrier
and the notebook exceeds a certain limit.
In addition, Compaq will offer more rugged systems for sales-force automation users who
are constantly traveling and subjecting their notebooks to greater stress.
IBM will also focus on security using a similar smart-card system as well as fingerprint
technology for access to the data on a mobile system.
In 1999, Big Blue will change the form factor of its ultrathin ThinkPad 560, reducing the
thickness to less than 1.2 inches, and increasing storage capacity to more than 6GB. The
screen size will increase to 13.3 inches.
Toshiba will take the lead in 1999 in developing a local wireless technology known as
Bluetooth.
"With Bluetooth, anyone can set up an eight-computer, ad hoc, peer-to-peer network," said
Warren Allen, senior product planner for the Computer Systems Group at Toshiba, in Irvine,
Calif.
Beyond next year, vendors are looking at unique features such as "heads up" displays,
foldable screens, and solar-powered notebooks.
Developed by the U.S. Air Force for its jet fighter pilots, heads-up displays project a screen
image onto a user's glasses. With a wearable PC hooked to a belt and the image on the
glasses, it could be used for a truly mobile workforce.
Solar power is yet another mobile technology moving a bit closer to reality.
Lightpoint Systems is currently developing solar technology for beepers, handhelds, and
eventually notebooks, according to W. Parke Cole, company president.
Notebooks with solar panels incorporated on the back of the lid would generate 65
milliamps and be able to run the hard disk or floppy drive, saving the main battery supply for
running the system.
The first products to appear using the technology will include Nokia 6160 smart phones by
early in the first quarter.
In related mobile technology, in the fourth quarter, Iomega will announce the next generation
of Zip drives and media with 250MB capacity.
Compaq Computer Corp., in Houston, is at www.compaq.com. IBM Corp., in Armonk,
N.Y., is at www.ibm.com. Toshiba Computer Systems Division, in Irvine, is at
www.toshiba.com. Lightpoint Systems Inc., in Ventura, Calif., is at www.lightpoint.com.
Iomega Corp., in Roy, Utah, is at www.iomega.com. |
