A better, cheaper way to bring your TV set into the digital age

Article Abstract:

EchoStar and WebTV have joined to market the DishPlayer 500, which features a satellite receiver, hard disk, modem and Internet capacity. If a customer signs up for a year of programming, the satellite service will knock off $195 of the $399 for the box of hardware, a bargain. After that, one can sign up for services for satellite TV and WebTV Internet, which might run up to $85 a month. The DishPlayer uses only digital satellite feed so in exchange for a beautiful picture, the customer may also experience the many glitches new to this technology.

Receive Only Earth Stations, Product description/specification, Product introduction, Earth stations, EchoStar Communications Corp., DISH, Satellite industry

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Super set-top boxes put viewers in charge, change TV habits

Article Abstract:

Although PVRs or personal video recorders anre a new way to look at television to the consumers advantage, they just don't seem to be selling too well. There are two main competitiors in this arena, TiVo Inc. and UltimateTV. The advantages to the PVR is enormous. You can record shows without a VCR and pause, or even rewind, prime-time shows while you are watching them.

Other Electrical Equipment and Component Manufacturing, Electronics, Electronic Components and Accessories, CATV Addressable Converters, Innovations, Electronics industry, Set-top boxes (Television), Television equipment industry, TiVo Inc., Personal video recorders, Digital video recorders, Personal video recorder, UltimateTV

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Cures for PC boredom: a truly global phone and a better Palm Pilot

Article Abstract:

Using the Iridium network of 66 low-orbit communications satellites, Motorola's new Satellite Series 9500 wireless telephones enable users to make calls from any location on earth, unlike standard cellular telephones which have to be within the broadcast range of their system. Drawbacks are expense, bulkiness, and its need for open sky to function well. It performs poorly indoors or under foliage. Cost is around $3000 and calls cost $1.75 to $7.00 per minute. 3Com's new Palm V personal digital assistant has a clearer screen and is slimmer than older models. It is more expensive, about $450, and is incompatible with older accessories. It requires thinner rechargable batteries which have to be charged more often than batteries had to be replaced on the Palm III's but the cradle recharger makes short work of this. The Palm IIIx is an upgraded version of the III's, also with a better screen, and twice the memory.

Electronic computers, Cellular Mobile Tel Equip, Computer industry, Product/Service Evaluation, Cellular telephones, Wireless telephones, Column, Telecommunications equipment industry, Motorola Inc., MOT, 3Com Corp., COMS, Personal digital assistants, Personal digital assistant, Smart phone, Smart phones, 3Com Palm V (Personal digital assistant), Motorola Satellite 9500 (Smart phone)

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