GLASSES FREE 3-D VISUALIZATION MAKES STRIDES - The San Diego
Supercomputer Center at University of California San Diego (UCSD) is using a 3-D
monitor that does not require viewers to use special glasses to see complicated
scientific images. Traditionally, seeing images in 3-D required special stereographic
eyewear. The Supercomputer Center is using SynthaGram Glasses-Free 3D monitor
from StereoGraphics Inc as part of its Volume Visualizer product, which include
molecular models, medical diagrams, and aerial photographs.

The SynthaGram is a flat-screen plasma monitor with a special optical surface
creating the 3-D effect. Current sizes include 18-42 inches, but other display sizes
can be made into a SynthaGram monitor. Mike Bailey, PhD, Director of Visualization
for the SDSC, said the monitor was ideal for group viewing environments when you
don't want to - pass the glasses, adding that the effect, meets our needs for intricate
scientific visualization. (Syllabus News Update, 28 Nov 03)

FIND YOUR WAY PDA - According to Bruce Brown, a contributing editor of
PC Magazine, he's sworn off PDAs. Ever since HP's 200LX went out of circulation,
he's relied on the Web and scribbled post-it notes to stay organized. But he just
might jump back in with the latest from Garmin - it's a complete Palm-based PDA
with built in GPS! Not only does it keep you organized, it keeps you on-track!
Imagine knowing exactly where you are, and how to get from point A to point B
with a device that fits into your pocket. It's perfect for travelers, sales-people, and
the perennially befuddled! And while you're at it, he says, check out the special Go
Wireless report to help you connect to the Web from anywhere. It's at: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,4149,1277568,00.asp (PC Magazine, 14 Oct 03)

THE DEATH OF HANDHELD COMPUTERS? - Whatever happened to the
handheld computer market? A segment that seemed to have limitless potential just
a few years ago now seems to be flirting with irrelevance. Right now, there are too
many vendors in the space. Dell is driving the margins out of the segment; laptop
computer prices are dropping to within a few hundred dollars of high-priced
handhelds; and converged devices (cell phone/handheld computer) have generally
proven to be a joke to those who bought them.

Three major mistakes stunted handheld computing's growth. The first is standards
of marketing that focused on the segment itself, not the devices. Meanwhile, two
emerging types of hardware could render the current handheld wars moot. Desktop
blade computing could consolidate the market by linking premium handheld devices
solidly to blade manufacturers. Alternatively, a new generation of modular computers
that rival handheld sizes but offer full Windows XP capability could eliminate all but
the lowest-cost handheld models. The choice seems clear: Either the market for these
devices needs to expand, or some vendors will have to exit. Some (like Philips) have
left, and Handspring was recently acquired by PalmOne. The call to action for
handheld computer makers: Hang together, or hang separately. See:
http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,4149,1306408,00.asp (eWeek, 3 Oct 03)

MOBILE INFORMATION TOOL DESIGNED FOR SURGEONS - PocketChart
is a complete Electronic Medical Record system thats fits in your pocket. With it you
can create complete, legible patient documentation with a few taps of the pen on
customizable menus or pick-lists. Reduce transcription time and cost by completing
patient OPnotes, histories, exam notes, prescriptions, and coding at the point of care.
Designed by surgeons, for surgeons. CareTools, is now releasing the new version of
PocketChart. For complete information see: http://www.caretools.com

TABLET PCs STARTING TO TAKE OFF - After a slow start, tablet personal
computers are starting to take off. Since Microsoft's launch of the Tablet PC in
November, the devices have grown in popularity, benefiting from the more user-friendly
software and improved hand-writing recognition technology. And Microsoft's OneNote
application that allows Tablet PC users to write notes in digital ink - either with a
keyboard or a pen - goes on sale next month. Unlike price-pressured desktops, tablet
PCs are able to command premium pricing - ranging from about $1,000 to about $2,300
and are now sold by major PC manufacturers such as Hewlett-Packard Co, Acer Inc,
Toshiba, NEC, Fujitsu, and Gateway Inc. The growing demand has been helped by
faster microprocessors, cheaper memory and the proliferation of wireless Internet
connectivity, WiFi. What really needs to happen for the Tablet PC to take off is the
development of new software applications for corporate customers. It's starting to
happen. (Sun Magazine, 28 Sept 03)