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Looking ahead to tomorrow's cell phonesBy DAVE GUSSOW
Verizon Wireless is rolling out its high-speed Express Network in the Northeast, California and Utah (and apparently soon in Florida). Others are not far behind. These services promise at least 10 times more speed than current networks, which is particularly important for surfing the Internet. But they also will allow functions such as videoconferencing and streaming video, e-mail with attachments and other enhanced data transmission. Technically, it's the dawn of 3G, or third generation, of the cellular industry (the first was analog, the second digital), though these next services won't have all the speed promised when 3G is fully implemented. To go along with this speed, of course, will be phones and gadgets loaded with more functions, not to mention higher costs, at least initially. Here's a look at some of the goodies coming up in the wireless world: The Phraselator: Currently being tested in Afghanistan, according to the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association, this wireless, handheld product lets the user speak in English and have it translated into Pashtu. Eventually, it could translate dozens of languages. Color screens: Combinations of personal digital assistants and cell phones have been around for a while. But now manufacturers are adding color screens, which could make it tough for already strained battery life. Bluetooth: This wireless technology has been touted for years, but only recently have products using it started to appear. It will allow short-range (maybe from 30 feet) wireless data transfer between, say, a cell phone and a PC at the push of a button. Hands-free: Ear buds and other gadgets that allow drivers to keep both hands on the wheel while talking have become more common in recent years. The Cellport Universal Hands Free System takes it to another level. It's not only a voice-activated system, it also works with different brands and models of cell phones. Ford will offer it in 21 of its vehicles starting this month, and Jeff Krevitt, Cellport's vice president of marketing, says the company is in talks with other automakers as well. Nokia Communicator: The device includes a keyboard and wide screen for use as a miniature computer and can handle a six-party conference call, e-mail, Excel spread sheets and text messages. It has been available in Europe, Africa and Asia and this year is expected to arrive in the United States. Nokia also has a 7650 model with a digital camera and a sliding keyboard with a tiny joystick. Sony Ericsson: It has a number of new models coming out, including the T68i, which has a snap-on digital camera; the P800, a multimedia smart phone with a built-in camera and a large color touchscreen; and the Z700, a color screen phone that comes with Men in Black and Charlie's Angels games pre-loaded. Digit Wireless Fastap Keypad: Everyone knows trying to type e-mail on a dialpad can be maddening. This hardware-software technology includes a mini keyboard that fits over the keypad, with the letters labeled and raised between the numbers, making it easier to write messages on a phone. It is sold only to manufacturers to include in their phones, not to consumers directly. -- Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
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