day 44

microsoft smells $$s 1

Innovative products like PDAs have been a big disappointment ever since John Scully proclaimed they were the next big consumer marketplace. But, now, PDAs are back. In fact, millions have already sold in Europe, while Americans are complaining PDAs don't have good handwriting recognition, are too big, and suck up too much power. Who will be winners, and who will be weanies in the coming bonanza called "personal digital appliances?" As Jonathan Matzkin writes in PC Magazine (June 25, 1996), "PDA manufacturers are rapidly repositioning their machines as appliances for the online era. Hand-helds, which have been gaining telecommunications capabilities for several years, are now starting to evolve into true creatures of the Net. Mainstream PDAs now offer graphical Web browsing, Internet mail, and access to online services. And at least two manufacturers stand ready with products for forthcoming digital cellular networks." But the main event is still ahead. The biggest PDA company of them all has yet to officially announce its product. And, when it does, the PDA market will fulfill John Scully's promises. Who will be the PDA giant?

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