Multi-tasking Phones And Mobile TV

The world keeps growing smaller and more convenient with advances in technology. Here's a look at some current and future developments that are bringing us closer to Jetson Style living.

Hot Topic: Do-it-All Cellphones

The recent release of Apple and Motorola's ROKR has the media world dancing about cell phone convergence and dreaming about do-it-all capabilities. If you dig a little, you'll find that those dreams may be coming true sooner than expected.

Take a look at what's happening in Japan. NTT DoCoMo and Sony have teamed to create i-mode FeliCa, a handset and service combination that takes the cell phone far beyond calls and text messages. i-mode FeliCa users get much more than a handset -- they get a virtual wallet that can operate as cash, credit card, ID, and even house key. Through partnerships with public transportation, retailers, and building owners, NTT DoCoMo is creating a world where all it takes is an electronic signal from the phone to get customers on the train, through checkout, or across the threshold home. Of course there's plenty of concern about security. DoCoMo's answer ... automatic shutdown after a certain period and a private number to shut down phones when lost or stolen. We'd like to see an integrated fingerprint reader!

On another front, the telecom trades are doing a lot of talking about TV-enabled cell phones. The cellular industry is counting on consumer demand for cellular TV and investing more than $1 billion in technology development to make it happen. At the moment, the industry is in the early stages -- battling it out over standards and strategic relationships. In the meantime, Berkeley-based Idetic is making major waves with their MobiTV service, which streams major channels out to top US cellular carriers. Reportedly, several hundred thousand users are taking advantage of the service, which is available with a data plan and newer handsets.

Gadget Guide: Slingbox TV Anywhere

Ever thought that you're wasting money on that monthly cable bill because business has you watching hotel TVs more than your own? Check out the latest in the TV-anywhere craze -- Sling Media's Slingbox. Slingbox is a personal broadcaster that digitizes your home programming and streams it to any broadband connected computer in the world. According to reviews we've seen, Slingbox is pretty simple to install and use, so you don't have to be a tech guru to be able to watch your favorite shows in real-time when business removes you from the living room. You can find Slingbox online and in major electronics stores for $250.

Tech Saver: SIM Card Reader

For many, the mere thought of having to manually re-enter all the phone numbers stored in older generation phones is enough to keep them in the cellular dark ages. Even for those who are adept at punching those tiny little keys, it's a time-consuming project to enter new numbers and contact names character by character. If your phone has a SIM card and you're willing to spend about $30 -$50, you can save yourself time and hassle when switching. Digital media reader companies such as the Zio Corporation sell USB SIM card readers that enable you to copy and modify cell phone contact information using your computer!