FreeLists / networknewsletters / Fwd: WebReference Update: Tech Trends and Toys

[Gleason Sackmann <gleason@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

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From: "Webreference Update" <listsupport@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
To:  <gleason@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thu, 26 Dec 2002 07:42:20 -0800
Subject: WebReference Update: Tech Trends and Toys
 
((((((((((((((((( WEBREFERENCE UPDATE NEWSLETTER )))))))))))))))))
            December 26, 2002

_____________________________SPONSORS_____________________________

This newsletter is sponsored by: Jupiter Events

__________________________________________________________________

This week we survey the latest tech trends and showcase some high-
tech gadgets. Moore's law shows no signs of letting up well into
2004, so we'll see smaller, faster, more capable devices for the
near future. Wireless will catch on with security firms cashing in
on wide open networks. Hybrid devices are evolving, with eBook
devices coming to the fore. Image stabilization is revolutionizing
photography, and is spreading into other optical devices, which
are also hybridizing themselves. Finally, self-publishing will
eventually overtake conventional reporting as bloggers often
report the news first, albeit mainly unedited. We're also seeing
peer-reviewed journals coming online, avoiding the long and
restrictive process of print publication. Information wants to be
free.

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Don't miss Instant Messaging Planet Spring 2003 Conference & 
Expo returning to Boston on February 24 & 25, 2003. The first
focused event of its kind, Instant Messaging Planet is the only
industry forum that brings together IM experts & professionals
to exchange "IM in the Enterprise" ideas, strategies and IM
success stories. Designed for professionals interested in better
understanding the business opportunities presented by
enterprise Instant Messaging (IM).
http://www.jupiterevents.com/im/spring03/index.html

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http://www.webreference.com                    *- link to us today
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New this week on WebReference.com and the Web:

1. FEATURE: Tech Trends and Toys
   * Wireless
   * Miniaturization
   * Hybrid Devices
   * Image Stabilization
   * Self-publishing

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Spread the word! Feel free to send a copy of this newsletter to
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1. FEATURE: Tech Trends and Toys

* Wireless

Wi-Fi will spread like kudzu in 2003. Witness the many gathering
places adding Wi-Fi (Starbucks, airports, etc.) and hotel chains
(Marriott). To help you cut the cord, Peachpit Press has released
a new book called "The Wireless Networking Starter Kit." Written by
Adam Engst (of TidBITs fame) and Glenn Fleishman (unsolicited pundit)
this book is a great introduction to wireless networking and covers
the hardware and software you need to start surfing while sipping
that expresso double latte.

The Wireless Networking Starter Kit
By Adam Engst and Glenn Fleishman
Peachpit Press, $29.99
ISBN: 0321174089
http://www.wireless-starter-kit.com/

With over 70% of wireless networks unprotected, wireless security
firms will be popping up in 2003.

* Miniaturization

Everything electronic is shrinking. With chips getting smaller,
and components on a diet, high-tech gizmos seem to shrink
inexorably downward. Witness Sony's new digital camera offering:

Cyber-shot U - DSC-U20

Sony's new Cyber-shot U 2MB digital camera is a marvel in
miniaturization. Not much larger than a pack of gum this tiny
camera packs 2 megabytes of pixels and a sharp 5mm 2.8 fixed
lens (equivalent to a 34mm lens in 35mm). There's no viewfinder
in the conventional sense, you look into the LCD screen to frame,
and no zoom. The salesman I talked to at the local electronics
store calls this the "James Bond camera." The size is 3-3/8 x
1-5/8 x 1-3/16 inches and it weighs only 4.2 oz with a battery.
Sony's DSC-U10 is about $30 cheaper with 1.3 megapixels.

http://www.sony.com

Roll-up keyboards are also on the way, and organic screens that
glow like fireflies will lighten our load.


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Don't Miss Jupiter Content Management Forum in New York City
February 26 & 27, 2003 - the premier Content Management event
for business & technology decision makers who are looking for
strategic, technical and market opportunities in the evolving
field of content management. In-depth strategy sessions and
presentations led by industry experts. Gain the information you
need to learn how to leverage a wide range of content mgmt
practices. http://www.jupiterevents.com/jcm/spring03/index.html

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* Hybrid Devices

Rather than carry around multiple devices manufacturers are
combining gadgets to create convenient hybrid devices. Sony
pioneered combining cameras with laptops and now they've done
it with a handheld (CLIE NX70V). Cell phones now double as
organizers and web browsers. Binoculars now sport integrated
cameras (Pentax) and image stabilization (more on this later).

http://www.pentax.com

Witness the Handspring Treo 300. This tiny flip phone packs a Palm
Pilot, a blackberry-like keyboard, a cell phone, and a web browser.
Check and send your email, browse the web, and it fits in your
pocket. $499 and only 5.7 oz.

http://www.handspring.com

To shrink things even further, we'll see voice-activated devices.

* Image Stabilization

Canon's pioneering image stabilization for 35mm zoom lenses has
revolutionized photography. Canon (and Nikon) image stabilization
technology uses tiny accelerometers and movable lens elements to
compensate for camera movement to steady your shots. Canon and
Nikon claim 2 to 3 stop improvements in hand-holdable shutter
speeds using their IS and VR technology.

Their 28-135mm f3.5-5.6 IS lens is the only stabilized wide angle
zoom currently available. I bought this lens (and the new Rebel Ti)
for my father and his pictures have noticeably improved. This
first generation (1998) IS system is great for hand-held shots or
on a monopod. Canon's third generation system in their newer IS
zooms works on a tripod, and even compensates for mirror slap.

Canon has incorporated similar IS technology into their binoculars,
camcorders, and HDTV lenses. The newest stabilized binocular is
the diminutive 8x25 IS. The world's smallest image stabilized
binocular this 17.3 oz wonder largely eliminates the need for wider
fields (although Canon offers a full line of IS binoculars). I
tried one, and it really works.

http://www.canon.com

* Efficiency

In today's leaner times companies are striving to do more with
less. We'll see more emphasis on raising efficiency and
productivity in 2003. Witness Human Factors International. Their
85 usability engineers are booked solid through the second quarter
of 2003. Small changes in web site usability can mean big changes
in conversion rates and user loyalty.

I predict that we'll see a renewed emphasis on speedy response
times in 2003. The latest Nielsen//Netratings data shows that
broadband penetration is slowing. About 30% of US users have
a broadband connection at home. With most users at 56Kbps or less,
slower sites will suffer from higher bailout rates, and disgruntled
users. I'll have more on this topic in the new year.

* Self-publishing

Blogging has gone mainstream. For us old-timers blogging is nothing
new, but the mainstream media has assigned their writers to create
blogs, and their coming online in droves. XML formats like RSS
help blogers gather and distribute their content to a wide
audience.

Blogging Goes Mainstream
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A16809-2002Dec20.html


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Game Market Watch Conference & Expo - The Definitive Event for the
Electronic Entertainment Industry - April 1 & 2, 2003 - Los Angeles,
CA. This two-day event will educate professionals from the PC,
console & handheld games industry on emerging trends in this space
and help them identify & evaluate new business initiatives and
revenue-generating opportunities. Get insight into the latest
trends & issues surrounding the growth of this industry. Register
early & save! http://www.jupiterevents.com/gmw/spring03/index.html

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That's it for this Thursday, see you next time.

Andrew King
Newsletter Editor, WebReference.com
aking at jupitermedia dot com

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