Is it a Handheld? A PDA? No, a PIB!

By Michael Foley
iApplianceWeb
(06/26/01, 08:57:24 AM EDT)

Sick of the tiny screen experience that most PDAs offer? Try an iCOM. Interactive Imaging Systems, Inc. (IIS) is introducing its iCOM Wireless Personal Internet Browser (PIB), a hand-held wireless device, no larger than a cell phone, that utilizes a full-screen, full-color VGA display for mobile users. The iCOM utilizes a proprietary virtual display system that allows users to view Internet data, including HTML, graphics, and JAVA, on a PC-equivalent screen.

The PIB Internet Appliance is designed to connect to the Internet through wireless modems, wireless LANs, Bluetooth, and cellular phones. The iCOM PIB presents a viewable experience comparable to a traditional desktop PC with a 21-inch monitor. The iCOM also comes with two CompactFlash expansion ports for peripherals such as memory expansion modules, wireless LAN, and modem cards.

iCom runs on the Windows CE operating system and has a 206 MHz Intel StrongARM SA-1110 CPU. In addition to the enhanced display capabilities, it provides digital audio record and playback, integrated microphone, and integrated speaker. It comes with 16MB of RAM and 16MB of flash memory. The iCom has USB connectivity and a battery life of up to 12 hours.

The iCOM PIB will be offered at a price competitive with advanced PDAs or cellular phones and will be available by early next year.