Click here to see the index of Craig's columns.

PDA AND CELL PHONE BLEND

There are currently several devices on the market that attempt to merge the functionality of a personal digital assistant (PDA) into a cell phone but the ones I've seen fall way short of being something practical. Until now. The PC-EPhone just might be the first one of these gizmos to get it right.

The PC-EPhone is a sexy, eye-catching PDA that fits in the palm of your hand. Flipping up the thin protector reveals a brilliant touch sensitive 640 by 480, 256 color LCD screen. It also includes a pen/stylus, and a docking station to synchronize everything to your computer. The Windows CE 3.0 operating system device hosts a variety of applications that includes Calculator, Voice Recorder, Mail Client, Web Browser (IE4.0), Calendar, Tasks Manager, Contact Manager, Memo, Handwriting Recognition, Mine Sweeper (Game), System Font Manager, Backup Utility, Pocket Word Processor and Spreadsheet. But it's the cell phone integration that makes the PC-EPhone truly ring.

Placing the PC-EPhone into its cell phone function displays a large dial pad on which you can easily tap the numbers to dial. Of course, the cell phone integrates to the name and address functionality so you can store thousands of listings. But I digress. When you make your phone call, you can hold the PC-EPhone up to your ear and speak into the unit. But making the cell phone much more practical is the PC-EPhone's pen/stylus. Using the new Bluetooth wireless technology, you can literally hold the more ergonomically designed and comfortably shaped pen/stylus to your ear and use it as the transceiver! The pen/stylus even sports a dial pad so you can dial the number without having to remove the main PC-EPhone unit from your pocket or briefcase.

If you're a person whose quest is to seek out the ultimate in gee whiz factor, then the PC-EPhone has your name all over it. This device is about as Star Trekkian as a gizmo is going to get this year (It looks a lot like a Tricorder). In fact, when you take the PC-EPhone out of your pocket to make a phone call, I can almost guarantee you'll become the center of attention as you boldly go where no man has gone before. $999.

www.PC-EPhone.com

Another incredible monitor

Last week I wrote about two incredibly outstanding and expensive color monitors for your computer. I'm adding another one to that list. It's from IBM and it's called the T220. Supporting a QUXGA-Wide resolution of 3840 by 2400, the screen is made up of 9.2 million pixels. The 400 to 1 contrast ratio, 22.2 inch wide screen can display 16.7 million colors and it does it all in a breathtaking manner. Of course, part of what will be taking your breath away is the $22,000 price.

www.storage.ibm.com/lcd/products/md2229/md2229index.htm