Intel's Personal Server - The End of the PDA and Laptop?

[Ed Hansberry]

<a href="http://www.intel.com/research/exploratory/personal_server.htm">http://www.intel.com/research/exploratory/personal_server.htm</a><br /><br />"A new class of mobile device that utilizes advances in processing, storage, and communication technologies to provide ubiquitous access to personal information and applications through the existing fixed infrastructure."<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/hansberry/2003/20030504-intelpersonalserver.jpg" /><br /><br />It has no screen or other user interface. You instead utilize nearby screens, printers and internet connections via a "low-power short-range wireless" (note they didn't say bluetooth) connection.<br /><br />Well, it sounds cool, but you are just going to have to color me cynical on this one. I don't see the advantage of this any more than I did of the network computer where all of your data was online and you just had a bunch of dumb terminals. Now your data is always with you but you use a bunch of dumb devices to see it. :roll: No thanks. It is a combination of local and remote resources that keeps prevailing, and local means you can do what you need being totally disconnected if necessary, not having to rely on remote resources. Am I missing something? And the wireless connection... is it bluetooth or not? If not, are they developing yet another "standard?"

[ethancaine]

Okay, it's getting a little too Minority Report for me... :robot: Besides, the last thing I want is for everyone to see the email I'm sending my wife asking what we're going to do after we drop the kids off at the sitter, you know?

[Sslixtis]

My biggest problem with it is, why wouldn't I want a touch screen? Even if I did use it as a "personal server" I'd still like to access to my own data if I were away from these mystical screens and such that are supposed to materialize to support this bizzare concept. We're having a hard enough time getting WiFi hotspots setup who's supposed to spring for these "wireless" screens and interfaces?

Dumb :twak: Dumb :twak: Dumb :twak:

[darius779]

I don't see how this device would prevent you from having your own touchscreen.. the display would simply be seperate from the cpu (and thinner). This could be nice in some ways, maximizing the usefulness of your PAN..

[David C]

Well, I could see the reasoning behind this technology.

Think about it. In the very near future, things like flat monitors, tiny cameras, input device, speakers, and mic are going to be dirt cheap, and mass produced. In fact, speakers, mic, and input device are already disposable items. Essentially, the only thing that is valuable is your data. Problem is, portable data has been, and I believe will always be expensive, slow, and sporadically covered. I don't think the price of airwave will get any cheaper. In fact, airwave is a scarce commodity, and it will become more expensive as more people need more of it. Sure, technology will make wireless data more efficient and therefore faster, but the maintenance of these infrastructure cost money. As price of everything goes up, the wages to cover these maintenance works will have to be adjusted to offset inflation. Higher wage means higher price for these wireless data service. The same goes for landline network also. They require even more infrastructure and maintenance and will probably be more expensive then wireless.

So, the most cost efficient and sure way to have data with you is to store it in a small memory device that you can carry, and use publicly available dumb terminal to get to your data. Especially if you consider that as PDA gets smaller, the available space for things like screen will become less too. As small as we want our PDA to be, there will be a limitation to how small the screen can be until we can not fully utilize the device anymore. Therefore, using an external screen makes more sense then having a small quarter VGA resolution screen with limited information.

I can imagine that technology like this will push the idea that in the future, instead of having public phone booth, which we almost don’t use anymore since cell phone’s been around, we will have public dumb terminals. These will be devices for you to access the data you carry with you, with out having to go online if you don’t want to. These terminals will be in moving public transits, public places, non-urbanized areas and possibly everywhere else.

[malcolmsharp]

This is a great thing... just not a PDA replacment.

Just keep it with you always... it's your brain. When at work, you can access it at your desk with all your e-mail, settings, documents, applications and more... all there and accessable. Even sends your computer (or PDA, or watch, or cell phone...) alerts if you get mail from Mom, or a voice mail at home from girl friend.

On the bus (or in line at the DMV, or at the check out line) you can access ANY file you ever worked on, any contact, any task, any book, any fav link you ever had. It isn't at home only avalible when you can find a live connection. It's in your pocket.

But it won't take the place of a PDA. It will just make them more useful.

[wirelessgeek]

Intel Personal Server
http://www.intel.com/research/spotlights/one_on_one_want.htm
http://www.speakeasy.org/~roywant/papers/Personal%20Server%20(short%20paper).PDF
http://www.inf.ethz.ch/vs/events/dag2001/slides/roy-personal.pdf

IBM Unveils the Ultimate Personal Server
Device features 10GB of storage, Windows XP and Bluetooth support, but may never make it to market.
http://pcworld.shopping.yahoo.com/yahoo/article/0,aid,109412,00.asp

[Abba Zabba]

Just sounds like another device that will muck up the whole market :roll:
:twak: Shame on you :twak: for mucking up the market :mecry:

[Gerard]

Me no like. Just one more network store to hack, for the losers who like to do that sort of thing.
Instead, what I'd like to see is a sort of pocket-sized multi-format hub. It could be modular, like Lego, with bits for IrDA, Bluetooth, WiFi, any old sort of wireless LAN, even with plugs for USB and Firewire, and of course legacy adapters for those who do a very wide range if kicking around on other people's turf. Then you've go this little lit, about the size of a PPC, through which any and all computers, PDAs, whatever, can all interface via whatever protocol they have handiest. Need a file off that floppy over there, in your PPCPE, and all you have is an ancient PC running Win95 and a parallel cable? No problem; whip out Network Buddy™ and hook it up. Have it readable as broadly as possible, built to appear as a familiar device type to just about anything. Of course, I dunno what I'm talking about here, but doesn't this seem a better way to bump data around than more network stores/servers? Universal connectivity is where it's at, not proprietary junk. Maybe this can't happen, but it seems to me it should.
As for carrying around every doc you ever worked on in your pocket ... that's not exactly a far-fetched dream for PPC users. With some users carrying around 80GB external hard drives for their PPCs (thanks to Tapani J Otala (http://www.tjotala.com/software/wince/default.htm)), and CF cards getting cheaper in the 1 - 2GB range, how long can it be before a 100GB low-power and tiny storage device we can cram into a CF or SD slot comes available? Once that's here, only big media files will need to be left on big computers. Everything else can come along in a pocket, with a proper screen and stylus as part of the deal.

[bjornkeizers]

Hm, I wouldn't want to use one of those things. God forbid I lose it or it gets stolen.. Carrying around your PPC is a whole different ballpark then carrying around [in essence] your entire computer life and history.

Now, if this thing was as small as a microfiche and could be implanted in say.. a finger, then yes, this'd be a great. But I sure as heck wouldn't want this unless it uses some top notch biometrics for security...

Having said all that, these things do have potential. You could carry around this thing the size of a matchbox or even better, credit card, and it would act as server, authentication device, personal data storage, and could interface with terminals or screens that you'd carry around: transparant paper thin displays..

But hey, I'm just a big Sci-Fi lovin' geek

[anthonymoody]

This is the future IMO. I've been looking out for it for a long time. Think about it - plug it into a workstation at home...keyboard, monitor, printer, net connection, etc. Take it with you on the road with a roll up OLED screen and a foldable keyboard. Total weight: 1 pound. Walking around? No problem...use a bluetooth (like) headset for communications and a small OLED screen that 'sticks' to the little Intel box.

The whole idea of syncing is stupid really. Why duplicate any data? Inefficient really.

TM

[trachy]

Hm, I wouldn't want to use one of those things. God forbid I lose it or it gets stolen.. Carrying around your PPC is a whole different ballpark then carrying around [in essence] your entire computer life and history.

Are you kidding? You mean you don't already carry around data you'd be terrified to lose? I'd have to say you're in the minority here. I, for one, keep a backup of my entire Quicken database on my PPC. I also store contact data, personal notes, and hundreds of passwords on it.

I do keep my entire computer life and history on my PPC, and I'd be mortified if I lost it; however, someone could just as easily lift my laptop at the airport or break into my house and steal my desktop. Bottom line is to propogate that data and secure it as best you can.

[trachy]

The whole idea of syncing is stupid really. Why duplicate any data? Inefficient really.

You're on the right track, but I wouldn't go quite as far as not syncing. This is an easy thing to say until you've lost a ton of data. :-)

[trachy]

It has no screen or other user interface. You instead utilize nearby screens, printers and internet connections via a "low-power short-range wireless" (note they didn't say bluetooth) connection.

This sounds like a really cool device, but I wonder why they just wouldn't leave the screen and user interface intact? Judging from the size of the thing, it's not like they'd be making it any bigger.

When you get right down to it, all this thing is, is a bootable SanDisk Cruzer (or equivalent) with BT built in. Why's it so big?

[SassKwatch]

With some users carrying around 80GB external hard drives for their PPCs (thanks to Tapani J Otala (http://www.tjotala.com/software/wince/default.htm))
Any idea how well this actually works? Limited to any specific devices on the PPC or on the disk end?

[PJE]

I think this type of device has possibilities. I'd like to see.

1. Security - Only validated devices should have access to the data.
2. Backup - It should be automatically backed up to another device.
3. Needs to be 100+GB!
4. Needs to be small.
5. Needs to be able to be clipped to another device, such as a PDA for faster secure link.
5. Needs integrated screen, or a clip on screen, to view data.

The main problem with this type of device is that it can only hold a small sub-set of the mass of information I generate - photos, videos, music, pdfs, text, etc. Unless it has a massive amount of information storage I would then spend more time selecting what to take with me, at which point it looses some of it's appeal.

In the short term I'd like to see a 30+GB clip on hard drive (with integral battery and power management) what doesn't add too much bulk to my Axim.

PJE

[acronym]

The whole idea of syncing is stupid really. Why duplicate any data? Inefficient really.

You're on the right track, but I wouldn't go quite as far as not syncing. This is an easy thing to say until you've lost a ton of data. :-)

I've lost more data due to faulty hardware and buggy applications that I've ever lost by have a device stolen or misplaced. Lets hope things only get better.

[JoeThielen]

This is the beginning of a dream come true.

It reminds me of the 'fam' from the book "Psychohistorical Crisis". If you sci-fi guys haven't ready this CHECK IT OUT (it's part of the Asimov Foundation series, even as a stand-alone book it's worth checking just for the fam ideas alone).

The above statements all apply. It MUST have LARGE amounts of memory. Enough to carry around all your pics, MP3s, code, etc...

It MUST be secure. An encrypted file system is a must. The user who said if thing gets lost, there'd be a problem was right. Damn right. It's gotta be inherently secure.

The link to it must be secure, too. I also think there should be a 'paranoid' button on the thing. I don't want to walk by an ad device, and here the thing say 'Hey, Joe Thielen, how'd you like those pants?', just like another user said from Minority Report. The server should have an option as to weather it broadcasts itself or not. For the paranoid who want to keep their device quiet from the world, we should be able to type in a private code that a workstation/cell/pda would transmit, which would turn the device into broadcast mode.

The things this can do are just limitless.

All of your personal settings stored. ALL OF THEM.

Think about if computers ever came up with a STANDARDIZED THEME system. All of your personal theme settings would be on there. No matter what computer you walked up to, it could always be the same (this is a little off-topic, but the point is this device could store your settings and always be there with you).

What about vehical audio systems? If all cars had a receiver capable of talking to these things, then you'd always hear your favorite music, because you'd always carry it with you.

Cell phones would become even more throw-away than you can imagine. All of your phone numbers and settings would be stored on this device. You could pick up a cell phone and wouldn't have to program it since all of your settings are stored in this device.

Now, granted, the above situations require that A LOT of everyday devices be re-engineered.

But there are lots of things you can do with it now (or in the very near future).

It could store your MP3s, pics, code (for developers), etc... you could access them from lots of PCs, PDAs, etc...

It could act as a digital wallet, provided again the encryption is there. It could store TONS of personalized maps. Combine this with a PDA/GPS, and you're hooked up. Say you go to a city you've never been, but a buddy sends you his/her map with a bunch of waypoints (restaraunts, places, etc...). You'd have a personalized tour map of sorts, including the best routes.

It's just mind-boggling what this could lead to, and I, for one, am ALL FOR IT.

0X

[bjornkeizers]

Are you kidding? You mean you don't already carry around data you'd be terrified to lose? I'd have to say you're in the minority here. I, for one, keep a backup of my entire Quicken database on my PPC. I also store contact data, personal notes, and hundreds of passwords on it.

For security reasons, not to mention privacy reasons, I carry around no data that I can't afford to lose or that would upset me if it got out in the open. I'm absolutely paranoid when it comes to security, even more so when it might be out in an enviroment I can't fully control. I do carry around certain login data, but nothing that, if lost, would pose a security risk.

I do keep my entire computer life and history on my PPC, and I'd be mortified if I lost it; however, someone could just as easily lift my laptop at the airport or break into my house and steal my desktop. Bottom line is to propogate that data and secure it as best you can.

I have no private data on my laptop of any sort. And the things I have on it are routinely backed up to my in-house server and if necessary, backups to CF cards, stored in an Armageddon-proof safe and not labelled.

[trachy]

I have no private data on my laptop of any sort. And the things I have on it are routinely backed up to my in-house server and if necessary, backups to CF cards, stored in an Armageddon-proof safe and not labelled.

Man, you've read 1984 just a few too many times. :wink:

[bjornkeizers]

It MUST be secure. An encrypted file system is a must. The user who said if thing gets lost, there'd be a problem was right. Damn right. It's gotta be inherently secure.

Apart from the best encryption available, I'd insist on biometrics: at least retinal pattern and fingerprint.


Think about if computers ever came up with a STANDARDIZED THEME system. All of your personal theme settings would be on there. No matter what computer you walked up to, it could always be the same (this is a little off-topic, but the point is this device could store your settings and always be there with you).

Hm, you mean, walk to a computer, it'd take a peek at your card and have all your favorite sites, programs, settings right down to your desktop wallpaper? Well, you'd need massive storage, and to a certain extent you'd have to have a central hub which'd store certain data [like your biometrics]

What about vehical audio systems? If all cars had a receiver capable of talking to these things, then you'd always hear your favorite music, because you'd always carry it with you.

See, now this I like. You'd just carry a card in your pocket, and whenever you step in your car, turn on your TV, or maybe watch an ad [minority report anyone?] you'd see and hear what *you* want.


Cell phones would become even more throw-away than you can imagine. All of your phone numbers and settings would be stored on this device. You could pick up a cell phone and wouldn't have to program it since all of your settings are stored in this device.

Cool. A $50 cellphone, connecting wirelessly to your card and other devices, as fast as the fastest internet connection today.. You could pick up a cellphone and it'd have all your settings and numbers on it the second you turn it on. But that's of course if we even *have* cellphones by then.

[quote]
Now, granted, the above situations require that A LOT of everyday devices be re-engineered. [/quote

Just look at what we've achieved the past couple years. Our first PC was a 133 mhz pentium with 16 mb of ram and a 1.3 gig harddrive. Today, my PPC runs a 206 mhz, and even 400 mhz processor. I can play quake on it and watch movies on it.. things that were difficult with that old PC. Who knows where we'll be in 5, 10, 15 years?

[bjornkeizers]

Man, you've read 1984 just a few too many times. :wink:

I do own a couple copys of it, yes. In fact, I'm planning a re-read [big book lover!] It's a great book; and everyone should read it.

[grogma]

OK, this is a small, wireless, battery powered device that is designed to be put in your pocket, purse or briefcase and, essentially, forgotten. Forgotten and battery powered don't mix well. So now I'm on the road to a client and I've got my interface unit, my server unit and my wide area wireless unit any one of which runs out of juice and I'm toast.
What we need is some way of making sure all your forgotten devices have enough juice. Maybe a briefcase with device pockets that have charger contacts in them and then you can "dock" your briefcase at work and at home (Targus has a laptop case that comes close) or maybe a Scott E Vest with similar charging pockets that connects to a power source when you put it on a coat hanger or something. But don't expect me to come home from a hard day of work and remember that the little blue box in my jacket pocket, which I've never touched or even laid eyes on all day, needs to be taken out and placed in a charger.

[ECOslin]

I've just been using a 'USB' Disk-on-key 8mb device to carry my files. I've been using a compact flash card for another device that uses that type of storage. I don't see in any way for me to carry around something that, if I wanted, I could use Citrix to access my home computer and do.

My security in each of the above devices is the lack of tech savvy of many of the folks around me. It takes me 5 minutes to tell people what they are and how to use them. And I can tell my success in the thickness of glaze that seems to cover their eyes.

Edward

[bjornkeizers]

What we need is some way of making sure all your forgotten devices have enough juice.

I seem to recall there was this article about a sort of plate that could charge a device when you put it on the plate? That would be great if they could integrate that kind of tech in desks or a sort of connected briefcase. [Well, if we all carried around PPC's, nobody would need a briefcase, except to lug around large amounts of small bills or bags of powdered sugar]

Ideally, this would get its power from your own body's bioelectric field. They're already testing access cards based on that principle. I think they call those PAN cards? You can have a card in your pocket and it'll open doors and activate stuff without you having to take it out, swipe it, type in a code etc.

[trachy]

I seem to recall there was this article about a sort of plate that could charge a device when you put it on the plate?

You're talking about the wireless Power Pads, right? Here's just one article (http://abcnews.go.com/sections/scitech/FutureTech/futuretech021101.html) about them.

[ctmagnus]

What we need is some way of making sure all your forgotten devices have enough juice. Maybe a briefcase with device pockets that have charger contacts in them and then you can "dock" your briefcase at work and at home (Targus has a laptop case that comes close)

APC TravelPower Case (http://www.apcc.com/products/family/index.cfm?id=224)

This innovative and stylish carrying case, constructed of high quality materials, is designed to both protect and power your notebook computer, mobile phone and handheld. Connecting to a single air, auto or standard ac power outlet provides the power to charge and use all your devices. This integrated power system helps reduce weight and cord clutter since bulky transformer blocks and power adapters are no longer necessary. Carefully designed for convenience and durability, the APC TravelPower Case is the ideal choice for any mobile professional.

[jgrnt1]

I would love this. I'm a music nut. I carry a 20 GB Archos MiniHD with me, with about 300 albums on it. I spend a lot of time on the road in my car, so I run a USB host cable from my Toshiba e550g, a USB cable to the drive, two power supplies and a cassette adapter. If I could eliminate a couple of cables, it would be great. If my car's head unit had bluetooth (or whatever wireless technology this thing will use), it would be even better. Toshiba has a 5 GB bluetooth drive, but I'm at 15 GB of mp3's right now.

[blade_of_narsil]

I have seen a lot of speculation about these devices and even seen the prototypes in action, and everybody thinks that the wireless protocol is going to be bluetooth, or 802.11, but my money is on UWB (Ultra Wide Band). The FCC limits it to a 15 foot range, but we're talking about bandwith higher than USB2, and for nominal power consumption! If that little thing had that, then the communication would be inherently secure and your "dumb terminal" would be just as fast a a normal computer. I've talked with the guys that are making this technolgy and its alot faster than a IDE cable. Google for UWB, its here, and its going to be fun. Just think about the radar capabilies it could also do.

I don't see the PDA going away, you'd still want access to this thing.

[wirelessgeek]

Sony Personal Server
http://www.mobilemag.com/content/100/104/C1457/
http://www.mobilemag.com/content/images/1457_large.jpg

17 April, 2002 -- Toshiba Develops Bluetooth Pocket Server
http://neasia.nikkeibp.com/nea/200207/cmpu_194838.html
http://www.toshiba.co.jp/about/press/2002_04/pr1701.htm
http://www.kewney.com/articles/020323-tosh.html

UWB No Significant Threat to Bluetooth
http://bluetooth.weblogs.com/discuss/msgReader$535?mode=day

It has Bluetooth support Ed. You can sleep easy now...... ;o)

"The personal server runs as a Web server on Intel's 400MHz XScale processor, and connects to PCs and wireless "information beacons" via Bluetooth and wi-fi. The device also takes advantage of the motes radio technology developed at UC Berkeley.

The personal server also makes efficient use of power: it can stream video for 4 1/2 hours without running out of juice.

Want said in a recent interview that the uptake in wi-fi, the introduction of Bluetooth into mobile phones, and the miniaturization of storage media will contribute to the commercialization of his new product. At the moment, the personal server is a stand-alone device, but Want envisions it becoming a part of mobile phones, eventually."

from INTEL'S WIRELESS POCKET SERVER
Personal Server: Has Intel Built the Handheld Killer?
http://www.baard.com/