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

To: Jason Flora who wrote (2646)	5/28/1999 5:53:00 PM
From: Dave Shoe	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 6847

The definition of fully functional PC changes very little over time. Your antique laptop is indeed a full-function PC. >>>With the advent of the IBM mini-drive >>>and light OS's like Windows CE..... While I believe even toaster-ovens may contain IBMs Microdrive within a few years, I don't believe the cellular/email/internet devices of tomorrow will utilize a Windows operating system. They will contain a much smaller flash-programmable O.S. which is taylored with only the necessary functions. Obviously, you can expect to find a Microdrive in one of these devices, but because it will likely be incapable of running Windows/Mac/Unix-based applications, it will not qualify as a PC. This reduction in utility will make them much cheaper to manufacture, and much more frugal with precious battery power. In my opinion, for a wearable to be considered a serious workplace tool, the battery pack must last one solid shift without needing a swapout. Nine hours minimum (after 6 months hard use) seems reasonable to me. Mix-in insufficient CPU power for satisfactory speech recognition capability and the MA-IVmula no longer makes sense. Would you want to be the corporate buyer at a Ford Motor Company facility who signed off on the purchase of $2,500,000 worth of MA-IVs that aren't up to task? While this iteration of the Mobile Assistant will garner interest, I don't believe it will get significantly past the pilot-program stage at any corporation. Because the plastics and die-cast tooling has gotten so little workout (i.e.:has not been paid for), I would expect the MA-5 and MA-6 will be based on a cosmetically identical platform to the MA-IV, with exception to making the battery compartment larger somehow. Looking for light, Shoe.