From Deseret News archives:
High-tech machines are mini but mighty
Consumer Electronics Association shows all the cool new stuff
For Jim Barry, those are all in the bag.
One bag.
That's how much of today's tech gadgetry will fit in a single satchel, just like the one carried by the Consumer Electronics Association's spokesman during his annual nationwide media tour. What once could accommodate only a laptop computer now can tote a whole lot more, emblematic of an industry looking to pack power, productivity and flexibility into tiny devices.
"I have a bunch of things that can do just about anything you want to do," Barry said as he emptied the bag of its gadget gold.
"In this little package here, you can make calls, you can take pictures, you can take high-definition pictures, you can get on the Internet, check your e-mails and send letters. ... When you look at what you have here, which is in this case a briefcase or backpack, you have everything you need to carry on the road with you for either entertainment or information. So if you're out on vacation or a business trip, you can put all this stuff in it."
"And what allows that to happen is digital technology," he said. "It lets these get smaller, lets them get better, lets them get more power. We're into really the absolute warp speed of digital transition."
So, let's travel with Barry. Warp Factor Five should do.
Decades ago, computer geeks bragged about a single computer taking up the space of a building. Well, the OQO "ultra personal" computer is the next step toward computers virtually vanishing because they're so small.
The OQO, which is the name of both the computer and the company producing it, is a full-featured, palm-sized Windows XP computer priced at about $1,800. It's got a 30-gigabyte hard drive and 512 megabytes of RAM packed in a 14-ounce, 4.9-by-3.4-by-0.9-inch body.
A tiny keyboard slides out, but "full-fingered" folks might find a stylus or touch screen easier to use. A tiny trackball helps. And the OQO with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi capabilities can connect to full-size keyboards, monitors, projectors, optical drives, printers and speakers.
"I put speeches on one of these, and with PowerPoint you're in business," Barry said.
The TomTom One portable GPS system ($499) can direct you anywhere in North America.
Comments
- Sports on the air 1:21 a.m.
- 2009 MLS Cup recap 12:45 a.m.
- MLS Cup winners, MVPs 12:41 a.m.
- Real Salt Lake: Game at a glance 12:36 a.m.
- Paper circulation worse than it looks 12:28 a.m.
- RSL wins MLS Cup on penalty kicks 12:22 a.m.
- Editorial: Cancer screening 12:15 a.m.
- Afterthoughts 12:15 a.m.
- Treat teachers with respect, trust 12:15 a.m.
- 'Reform' helps old, hurts young 12:15 a.m.
- BYU records with win
- Jazz outlast Pistons in overtime
- Glenn Beck to enter politics?
- Cougars turn focus to dreaded rivals
- Cougars put the fun back in football
- Former BYU professor remembered
- Kirilenko heating up for the Jazz
- Police link alcohol to murder
- Wendover airfield's legacy lost?
- Florida No. 1, TCU 4 in AP Top 25
- Buttars wants to limit gay rights laws
202 - Glenn Beck to enter politics?
191 - Palin plans tour stop in Utah
178 - RSL wins MLS Cup on penalty kicks
130 - BYU records with win
129 - Palin's book shows she's unqualified
125 - Officer cleared in Cardall Taser case
103 - BYU cuts Women's Research Inst.
100 - Jazz finally win in San Antonio
98 - Utes knock off rival Aggies
93
There's a lot of reason to leave your plastic home as you shop:
I don't pretend to be an expert on global warming. I've met with...
That game was amazing! I think this will really help the sport grow in Utah....
Congrats on a great win. Utah as a whole should be proud not just of a major...
Congrats Real Salt Lake! but, they aren't the first major sports team to...
I told ALL of you how much i liked NED Pure irony his contributions vs x...
this is to NevadaUTE @ 10:25!!! I love soccer, I love Real and it brought a...
wow!!! amazing. UTAH JAZZ DO SOMETHING!!!
So much fear and anger from Beck lovers. You all lost the last election, we...
This is the most emotion I have had watching a sporting event since my...
Nicky Rimando is my hero! I love that guy. He has had his detractors, but...
Two stars means nothing! We played as a team and it showed! I'm still in...



You can be the first to comment on this story.