Bill,
I agree with you on nearly all points (in terms of what you desire :) But
I will have to say that we are on our way in certain respects.I think
embedded pc standards like pc/104 are stepping stones on this (hopefully
short) path.
In fact my needs are exactly yours, I wanted a cell phone AND wireless
data link. These do exist, I think Nokia (and/or HP?) manufactures a "cell
phone" that actually opens up to a small screen/keyboard. I just don't
have the cash for that sweet little machine :)
Your words about cheap simple parts and the analogy to the Apple II
resonated with my thinking since last year about embedables. My feeling is
that as demand for these kinds of components increases, hopefully more and
more cool parts will be designed, and the prices will inevitably go down.
OK, so let us start a company to build these components. Can anyone tell
me how cheap this could be theoretically given current cost/performance
of silicon technology ? Use a DSP ? Fab an ASIC ?
I don't think we could make it as cheap as you and I would like :(
If someone thinks we can do this cheaply, then it is time to start this
company!
[warning!: I am going off on a slight tangent now...]
I was going to subscribe to the Bell-Atantic (east coast bell) wireless
data service, which gives unlimited wireless data link for <$60/month. But
a wireless modem wil set you back a few hundred though. And then how would
you use it for telphony ? Unfortunately, at least in this case, telephony
and data are in different worlds, and are not wholly merged, which makes
it problematic. I was thinking I could have people call my house, and my
computer at home could take the call, and patch the call to my wireless
data link (ie 1/2 regular POTS and 1/2 internet phone). But this didn't
seem like a good solution so I am just going to rent a digital voice phone
and dispense with the data part. I can look into a PCMCIA modem + handheld
later (I was told by Bell Atlantic, I can only attain 33k over a digital
voice phone, is this RIGHT!?!). At least I will be able to receive email
messages as alphanumeric pages on the Nokia 2180 ;)
I WISH a telephone co. would do that SWITCHING for me, ie give me a number
people could call, and my portable internet phone would ring. And the
reverse as well, I can call from my internet phone (handheld wireless data
terminal) to anywhere on POTS (Plain old tele sys).
Who does this ?
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Prashant Inamti web: http://www.jovian.net/~prosh
email: 
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On Mon, 27 Apr 1998, Bill Nordstrom wrote:
> First, my life story-
>
> My interest in wearables is strictly to simplify my life. I am, however, one
> of those people that will spend several weeks learning, customizing, or
> programming if necessary to save a few minutes a day on a routine or annoying
> task. I bought a Newton to have a mobile, digital data source and found it
> too large to carry and too time consuming to flip open, power up, and write
> down notes while on the move. So, naturally I became interested in a more
> persistent remembrance agent and became drawn to wearables. More concerned
> with simplifying my life than programming face recognition routines I have
> very narrow desires for a starting wearable. Mainly I want to combine the
> following modern day encumbrances:
>
> 1. A mobile phone
> 2. A walkman- a necessity in my view.
> 3. Organizer
> 4. Address/phonebook
> 5. Maps
> 6. Memo pad
>
> Now for my world vision-
>
> Beyond my own selfish concerns I believe the above list represents the
> closest, realizable amalgam of consumer products that will constitute a real
> platform for wearable computing. The other existing attempts- computer
> watches, computer phones, etc... have no growth room.
>
> I have been surprised that the wearable community has not yet spawned the
> wearable equivalent of the Apple II- simple, cheap, expandable in purpose.
> Where is the startup company working on this product?
>
> The above device wouldn't require much more than a combination of a Star-tac
> phone, a PMCIA card slot, a Voice-It memo recorder, a touch sensitive
> interface, and a cpu capable of playing mp3 files and java apps. Presently,
> these devices altogether can't weigh more than 2 lbs with all the redundant
> plastic casing and unconsolidated circuitry and each device has a near day
> long battery life.
>
> Why java? I picked java because it is the most inviting language to the
> novice computer enthusiast, its got the PR for the most
> network-exploitablilty, and unless I'm misinformed it was designed originally
> for small appliance-type devices.
>
> Why the mp3 (or pick another comparable digital music format) capability?
> More people own walkmans than phones, computers, or organizers. We need to be
> seeding wearables into the hands of youthful gadget enthusiasts to gain a
> following and robust developer community.
>
> As I see it, the emphasis on HMD in the wearable community is stifling the
> emergence of this crucial product. I don't know many people that are
> dependent on a camcorder all day long. Sure, I would love an unobtrusive,
> nonstop visual data feed all day. I would love to video conference with my
> wife while shopping, but that is a wish presently, and not a need in most
> peoples minds.
>
> Finally, please don't take my comments the wrong way. I am always glad that
> someone is thinking 10 or 20 years ahead. I'm just frustrated that what
> should be here now isn't. If anyone knows of a good startup company that is
> working toward this ideal, please send me some info.
>
> --
> Bill Nordstrom
> University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
> 5323 Harry Hines Blvd.
> Dallas, TX 75235-9039
> W:214-648-9227
> Fax: 214-648-8694
> email 
> Cooltalk: 129.112.20.190
>
>
>
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