Wireless Tech: The Radio Is on Fire

The question now is, What's driving wireless? Many say it's the growth and development of end-user devices such as multifunction mobile phones, PDAs and notebook PCs. Intel president and COO Paul Otellini believes we're quickly approaching 1 billion Internet-connected handsets. While speaking at Forrester Research's Executive Strategy Forum recently, he predicted the industry would reach 1.5 billion broadband-connected PCs and 2.5 billion wireless-connected handsets and mobile devices by 2010. With new technology like Intel's Centrino mobile processor, wireless devices will become smaller, faster and more efficient.

"The handsets are getting increasingly smarter and data-capable over time," Otellini said during the event. "Think about a Pentium 4 sitting inside your phone within seven years. It is going to happen."

Otellini says advancements like Centrino have helped propel mobile solutions, especially notebook and laptop PCs.

Acer aims to supply a big chunk of those projected billion-plus devices with its mobile product family, particularly the new TravelMate 250PE. Let's be clear on one thing: The Acer TravelMate 250PE is both a tablet PC and a traditional notebook. It could very well be the PC version of the platypus; it's not easily defined, but it's expressly unique.

Acer claims that it has done nothing short of changing the landscape of mobile computing with the notebook-tablet hybrid. While that claim may be exaggerated, the TravelMate 250PE is loaded with new and attractive features that could set a trend for the notebook industry. Consider what experts say about the 250PE: Market research firm IDC states in a recent report that Acer's twist on the mobile PC adds a new dimension to the market.

"[The tablet PC] vision will require products similar to Acer's TravelMate 250PE to help drive the market by effectively bringing tablet computing down to a broad range of alternative form factors," states IDC analyst Alan Promisel. "Acer will find significant demand for the 250PE since it appears to bridge the gap for users unwilling to sacrifice display size or performance for tablet computing."

The most prized feature for the TravelMate 250PE is its tablet PC functionality. The three-spindle, "clamshell" notebook allows users to adjust the LCD monitor and use the electro-magnetic resonance pen and screen-digitizer technology.

Jeffrey Friederichs, vice president of Acer America's Notebook Business Unit, says the 250PE model will be a hit with the channel because of its unique digitizer technology and ink-enablement features.

"The technology is another solutions-enablement component, like adding wireless," he says. "It gives resellers a value-add that can differentiate them from others."

The 250PE is going strong in the education field, "and sales and marketing professionals have also found it attractive," Friederichs says. "The ink-enablement features, for example, can draw the audience in more during presentations," he adds.

IDC says there will be significant demand for the TravelMate 250PE, which isn't priced much higher than the older version. The original 250 model, which doesn't have tablet PC capabilities or the digitizing screen, costs only about $100 less than the 250PE. So for just a small price differential, customers can add tablet PC functionality to their traditional notebooks.

Wireless adoption will also help drive sales for Acer's TravelMate line, Friederichs says. The more hot spots and wireless LANs, the more people will begin to move from desktops to portable systems that can connect on the fly.

"Wireless will continue to grow because it really does enhance productivity," he says.

But are there enough wireless networks to accommodate all the devices? Some, such as Matt Larsen, managing partner of Inventive Wireless, say the service carriers and telecoms aren't doing enough to deploy wireless access points and networks. Inventive Wireless, based in Scottsbluff, Neb., specializes in installing wireless broadband for underserved communities.

"The Internet service providers don't want to work with the telecoms because they aren't doing enough to drive wireless," Larsen says. "They want to work with solution providers."

During his address at the Forrester event, Otellini told the audience that worldwide wireless access points totaled about 13 million, but the number of potential Wi-Fi devices is more than 43 million. The installation rate for wireless access points, he added, is one every four seconds around the world, while a new wireless device hits the market every second.

The good news is that there's no shortage of innovative technology and ideas that can harness the wireless movement, which Otellini referred to as "viral organic growth of a new technology like I've never seen in my 29 years in this industry."

That's a quite a testament to the growth of wireless.