MWC Look Ahead

Whatever happened to convergence? You remember convergence, don't you? All things to all people coming together on your desktop – media, music, computing, entertainment…

Touted for years as the "next big thing" convergence is another buzz word that seems to have had more hype than heart. But if you look ahead towards the Mobile World Congress show in Barcelona next month, you'll see that maybe – just maybe -- convergence is about to happen, but this time in the palm of your hand.

Yes, I know it's been touted before. But it just might be the pieces are finally in place for the smart, hold-in-your-hand devices that can do so many things so well that they just might start giving convergence a good name.

Here's why: advances in chip technology and screens, solid device software, and plenty of both big companies and startups realizing a good part of the future is going to be handheld. And writing exciting applications and wireless services. So you can now get email, true internet, gaming, mobile TV, music, digital photography, GPS, WiFi, and oh yes, a phone – in one slick unit.

Next month's Mobile World Congress in Barcelona could be the breakout show for convergent handheld devices. We'll be reporting back from the show floor (and secret rooms) to find the coolest and most useful devices and software products. And shortly after that we'll do the same from CTIA in Las Vegas. So stay tuned here for a heads up on what is truly the best stuff. No matter what the buzzword.

by Jon Pepper