ARE WE THERE YET?
The 2008 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) kicks off in Las Vegas today, running through Thursday. So there'll be a ton of news on new gadgets, technologies and services we'll have to look forward to in this new year.
This item from Engadget caught my attention as we get started:
"Fujitsu isn't just updating old laptops, you know. The company currently has scores of mad geniuses sweating away on new, bizarre, and possibly unnecessary concepts, too. For your viewing pleasure we present the "Card Viewer," an information device which consists of multiple electronic sleeves that can be detached while retaining their digital data.
Also on tap is the "Clerk Browser," a device worn on the wrist which is meant to provide information to shopgirls, car dealers, and other people trying to sell you something.The company has also been working on a "Fabric PC," which -- you guessed it -- is a PC based around soft, flexible materials, and the "Customer Browser," an information device which provides maps of stores, product location and information, and on-line help.
All of these, needless to say, aren't and won't be available any time soon... so enjoy!"
They do all sound interesting, but the one that gets my attention the most is the "Clerk Browser" pictured above. I think Fujitsu is thinking too narrow here. They should really think of this as a "wrist browser" or a "wrist-web" device.
Build in broadband wireless, Wifi and Bluetooth connectivity, and you 
have a device that could be useful to most of us through the day. The form factor could even allow more surface area for extended batteries that would meaningfully out-do what one can get on a cellphone/smartphone type of device.
It'd be a device that could tempt even Dick Tracy to trade in his wrist-phone (image source).
Until then, I'd settle for an iPhone accessory that allows it to be used as a wrist-phone.
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