NBC TODAY: CES Preview

Will cell phones become your wallet? Can Oprah Play on your Handheld PDA? Do maps talk back to you? Can a scooter survive without tunes? Answers to these questions, plus a world exclusive product premier are what Corey Greenberg from Beststuff.com lives for on TODAY.
The big "C" word is back at CES. "Convergence", the buzzword of the early 90's, fizzled with technology not living up to its promises a la WebTV. Early 2001 Convergence is back with a vengeance.

Electronic organizers used to only keep your phone book and calendar, but the latest generation of handhelds on display at CES offer everything from Internet access, video (watch a movie on screen) to electronic driving directions (GPS) and Cell phone attachments, even bar code scanners.


Handspring Visor with Cell Phone Attachment
VisorPhone is a compact mobile phone module that extends slightly above and beyond the top and back of Visor itself. VisorPhone contains a battery, speaker, antenna, and three buttons: one to power VisorPhone on and off and two that allow a user to switch between voice and text messaging functions. All the software needed to use VisorPhone is included in the module itself. To use VisorPhone, a person simply inserts the module into the Springboard slot. When powered on, VisorPhone will automatically register to the GSM network. When the module is removed, software is automatically deinstalled, leaving Visor in a clean state. The Visor need not be turned on or off, or applications closed, to insert or remove VisorPhone. Handspring Visor $149 - $449, VisorPhone module $299, phone service prices vary.



PC-EPhone
A cool handheld phone PC. The PC-EPhone is a wireless PDA with full Internet, PC, cellular phone and organizer.

PC-EPhone features:

• PC with Internet capabilities using a full VGA size web browser
• Cellular Phone with stylus handset (CDMA, AMPS, PCS, GSM)
• Multimedia: Mpeg for WebTV, games and video and MP3 for music
• Interactive personal organizer
• Car Navigation system with GPS Module
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• Bluetooth chip for wireless, roaming communication
• 4" color touch
• Microsoft Pocket Internet Explorer, Word, Excel, Outlook
• Lithium-ion rechargeable battery with AC adaptor
• Compact size (5" length x 4" width x 1" depth)

Ericsson R380 World Smart phone
The first fully integrated device that combines a mobile phone, PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) and mobile Internet services. The R380 virtually eliminates the need to carry a number of mobile devices because they are all packaged in the size of a standard mobile phone.

At first glance the R380 looks like a mobile phone, but open the flip and the large, graphics-rich, touch-sensitive screen reveals a wide range of communications and personal organizational tools. With the touch of the stylus, an R380 user can access email, the mobile Internet and electronic organizer.


For the Ultimate Convergence Product: Ericsson R380 Cell Phone, PDA, Web Browser, Electronic Wallet
This phone has a flip screen organizer beneath it with an electronic wallet that allows you to purchase soft drinks, play songs on a jukebox, even withdraw money from ATM s -all billed to your cell phone.


MTV Scooter Radio
Not everything at CES cost a fortune. In fact, one of the coolest new products at the show is the $20 scooter radio. Riders can groove and move with the new MTV Scooter Radio. This compact, hip FM scan radio comes complete with universal clip that can be easily attached to any of the scooters on the market today. Requires three "AAA" size batteries for operation. Refac Consumer Products ($19.95/available in April.)


Garmin has a new portable GPS electronic map that audibly tells you where you are and where to go.


Magellan is also announcing new GPS products this year at CES.