Coming soon to a palmtop computer near you: a signal which audibly and automatically alerts you when the stock you have specified reaches a price you have indicated. That’s just one of the latest techno-developments that could make you even more efficient and quick to react.
For example, Reuters’ MarketClip supplies real-time financial data and news, including quotes, charts, news headlines and market summaries. The user-defined alerts can be based on price, volume or news. MarketClip works by transmitting data across the cellular digital packet data (CDPD) network, and due to network limitations, the service is currently available only in the parts of the US and Canada.
The good news for people beyond the reach of the cellular network is that they can dial into the MarketClip server. Future MarketClip releases will work with other palmtop computers and personal digital assistants (PDAs) currently being developed.
MarketClip alone may induce some North American IROs to choose the 3Com or HP units over the many competitive products available, and who knows, some may even be tempted to move home to be in an area served by CDPD. No joke. It could make your life a whole lot easier.
Between them, the PalmPilot Professional and HP’s 360LX exemplify the two basic types of pocket personal computing devices currently in the spotlight. Palmtops are alluring because of their size and handwriting recognition. But they have no keyboard, can be slow to use, and have limited functionality compared to their larger brethren.
Then there are products like Alcatel’s latest digital mobile phone which is also an organizer (diary, phone, address book, clock, calculator), can send and receive e-mail, and has a pad-and-pen touchscreen feature.
Chickens & eggs
Convergence between computing and telecommunications will soon be so thorough that it will be difficult to determine if a mobile phone has been souped up with computing features, or if a personal digital assistant (PDA) has had a mobile phone added on. Nor will it matter.
The critical factor is whether it is the best tool for the task at hand. An electronic jack of all trades can make nasty compromises.
For example, the writing space on any digital mobile-cum-organizer will have to be tiny. The palmtops have larger touchscreens and better handwriting-recognition software, but larger yet are purpose-built electronic writing pads. These can really come into their own where it would be awkward, inappropriate or even illegal to use a pocket computer.
IROs might want to consider CrossPad which IBM helped develop (www.cross-pcg.com). CrossPad works with an ordinary paper pad and an extraordinary pen – it contains a radio transmitter. You insert the pad into an electronic clipboard and write on it as usual. The clipboard can store up to 50 handwritten pages in its memory. Later, you can transfer the documents to a PC, much as if you had scanned in the images. You get only your own writing back, not a text file, but selected blocks of writing can be converted. Those not satisfied with the current CrossPad technology will be pleased to know that rapid improvements are in the offing.
If it is an organizer your heart is set on, a palmtop will be mammoth compared with devices like Franklin Electronic Publisher’s Rex. No larger than a thick credit card, Rex can store thousands of contacts, appointments and memos (www.franklin.com/rex).
What’s the hitch? These devices are fairly passive – in fact, they are PCMCIA cards for notebook computers – and can only receive information from your notebook or desktop.
Another warning: look carefully before you leap. Pocket computers can vary significantly in such areas as battery life, voice recognition, compatibility with software and hardware, communications features and price. IROs will want to select products which are compatible with their current systems and upgrades.
Psion, with its proprietary software, is still a contender – particularly in the light of recent news. In late June it linked up with Ericsson, Nokia and Motorola to announce the formation of Symbian, a joint venture which will establish new product categories, license wireless software to other industry players and drive open standards for wireless information devices. In short, Symbian will give Microsoft’s Windows CE stiff competition in the race to establish the standard for wireless information devices.
One Psion advocate is admittedly biased but excellently placed to describe the new Series 5 PDA in IR operation. He is Psion’s head of corporate communications, Peter Bancroft, who is also responsible for the company’s IR function.
‘I’m not the only person who talks to our various contacts in the City,’ says Bancroft. ‘Our chairman, chief executive, finance director and company secretary also talk to them.’ Afterwards, each individual posts notes of their meetings in Lotus Notes on their personal computers. ‘If I am going on the road, I can download my chairman’s notes from his meeting onto my PDA and take it with me,’ Bancroft explains. ‘And if I’m going to see a financial journalist, I can download articles the journalist has already written.’
Forget-me-not
Regardless of brand name, one new development will be welcomed by IROs who, rushing to catch a plane, fret that they might have left behind an indispensable battery, cable or docking station. Wireless infrared connectivity has arrived in a big way.
Unfortunately, extra equipment is usually required; even then, not all infrared devices speak to one another. The Psion Series 5 does link with, for example, the Ericsson SH888 mobile phone which in turn also links with Ericsson PDAs, such as MC16, which runs Windows CE. The combination makes for an exceptionally powerful mobile computing and communications unit. Meanwhile, palm pilots link with each other, enabling silent tete-a-tetes during group meetings.
Although a mighty advance over cables, infrared has its own limitations: the communicating devices must be relatively close to one another and have line of sight. Ericsson, IBM, Intel, Nokia and Toshiba have formed a consortium which is designing a system to replace infrared with radio waves. With radio transmission, the mobile telephone in your jacket pocket can talk to the notebook computer in your briefcase.
The plan is to do away with compatibility worries by building a single, common radio into every mobile computer. They hope to roll the first products out in less than two years. In the world of high technology, two years is a long time, and much can happen between now and then. So stay tuned.
