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Technology Stocks : XYBR - Xybernaut -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Roy F who wrote (5070)	9/17/2002 3:56:48 PM
From: StockDung	Respond to of 6847

Review: Xybernaut POMA techtv.com First wearable PC designed for the consumer needs a bit of tailoring. Watch tomorrow at 9 p.m., Thursday 9/19 at 12 a.m., and Saturday 9/21 at 11 a.m. Eastern. By James Kim Printer-friendly format Email this story I pulled on my trousers one recent morning, buttoned up my shirt, clipped a computer on my belt, and gingerly positioned a monitor on my forehead. My wardrobe that notably geeky day included a pair of old Levis, a Ben Sherman short-sleeved shirt, and a Xybernaut POMA, short for Personal Multimedia Appliance. The POMA is one of the first wearable computers designed for the consumer. It's created by a company that specializes in wearable PCs used widely in the corporate world by companies like FedEx and Bell Canada. While it's compact and definitely eye opening in a sci-fi way, the $1,500 POMA just isn't worth the purchase. It's too difficult to use effectively. Ultimate wardrobe accessory? The POMA consists of three parts. CPU Heads-up display Optical pointing device The CPU, which is slightly larger than a PocketPC PDA, is housed in a silvery device with conspicuous blue power-on LEDs. The CPU features a 128-MHz RISC processor, 64MB of memory (32 RAM, 32 ROM), and runs on Windows CE 3.0. The PocketPC 2002 operating system is not used in this version because its interface isn't as familiar to the average user as CE. The 11-ounce package, complete with protective case and belt clip, is slick and ideal for listening to MP3s or watching compressed video. Expansion's not a problem with the Type II CompactFlash slot, ideally for use with a 1GB Microdrive for expanded memory or in the case of our review unit, a Socket Wi-Fi wireless network card. This $180 optional card will allow you to roam around with your POMA and be connected to email and the Web. Our journeys through San Francisco were pock-marked with open wireless networks, so gaining "free" access was not a problem. But this can be done just as easily with a traditional PDA. The POMA is basically a PDA, but not as powerful as the latest Xscale PocketPCs. You also won't find an LCD display. Xybernaut argues that the heads-up display is a better solution than having to constantly look down at a touch screen. In theory it's right, but the POMA is difficult to view while moving, much less in a stationary position. The heads-up display, combined with the finicky pointing device, make regular computing a chore. Why POMA isn't ready When the novelty wears off, the head-mounted display becomes uncomfortable and gets in the way. There are pictures in the POMA manual suggesting the computer is easy-to-use in everyday life. One of these is of a suit-wearing, smiling executive walking down what is presumably Wall Street with the display mounted on his head. Let me tell you... this is difficult on the eyes and dangerous. Once you finally achieve the right focus (there should be a diopter adjustment), the effect is awesome. Imagine a 13-inch monitor with a resolution of 640x480 hovering in front of you. But, be prepared for an optical roller coaster ride and a major headache. The POMA, and wearable PCs like it, may be the perfect tool for the corporate worker in the field, where hands-free operation is vital. But for the average consumer, it's just too hard to see. The optical pointing device included with the POMA connects via USB and is solid state, so there are no moving parts except for the mouse buttons. The blue light that it emits is the coolest part about an otherwise unspectacular piece of hardware. It's jumpy and can cause some stress to the hand when used for extended periods of time, and especially while you're trying to "type" data using the Windows CE 3.0 virtual keyboard. Our advice? Get another mouse or wearable keyboard. The POMA is a great idea whose time will eventually come. But I won't recommend it until voice recognition is integrated and the display doesn't mess with my eyes. When it comes down to it, I'd rather spend a third of the cash on the best PocketPC PDA available today. It's more powerful and the screen is just where I want it to be, visible in my hand. Summary: Xyber-not! The POMA is the first wearable PC designed for the consumer. It's a step in the right direction, but just too difficult to use for the average person. Pros: Portable; attention-getter. Cons: Heads-up display too difficult to view; optical pointing device difficult to use; expensive. Company: Xybernaut Category: Mobile computing Price: $1,499 Available: Now Platform: Windows CE 3.0 Posted September 18, 2002