Also called a "Web appliance," it is a device specialized for Web browsing. Today's Internet appliances are smartphones and handheld wireless devices such as the iPod touch. At the turn of the century, the Internet appliance was a desktop machine dedicated to Internet access. See digital photo frame, network appliance, server appliance, Internet TV, network computer and smartphone.
In 2000, this Linux-based machine was dedicated to Web browsing. It had no hard disk, and files were stored on the Internet. (Image courtesy of The New Internet Computer Company)
One of the first dedicated e-mail devices, the seven-ounce, pocket-sized Postbox Express plugged into a telephone jack. (Image courtesy of VTech Communications, www.vtech.com)
In 2003, Microsoft's U.K. division announced a street-side, public toilet with access to the MSN network. There were also rumors of Web site ads on the toilet paper. Quickly shelved after the announcement, people thought Microsoft had lost its senses, but it was just a prank to advertise MSN. In England, a "loo" is a toilet.
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