Get it: The latest from Asia Telecom conference 2000

Concept mobile phones at ITU 2000

December 7, 2000
Web posted at: 6:32 PM HKT (1032 GMT)

By Tinnie Chow
Ebizasia Correspondent

Apart from Korea and Japan, the rest of the world will not be wired with third generation (3G) applications until 2003. So what will happen in the meantime?

Asia's largest telecommunications conference, ITU Asia 2000, recently offered a whole new series of concept devices. CNN takes a closer look at the latest innovations on display that are available today.

Bluetooth's short-range applications
Axis Communications' Bluetooth technology, a standard for connecting electronic devices within 30 feet, was expected to be linking everything from laptops to cell phones by now. In reality it is just starting to impress.

The backers of Bluetooth have a grand vision, they want it to become ubiquitious, unifying our handheld gadgets wherever we are, with companies building the technology into lots of devices.

This wireless application allows access and short-range transmission of digital voice and data between mobile and fixed systems at about 720 kilobits per second.

Axis can offer base stations that deliver high-speed connections to all Bluetooth-enabled mobile devices such as cellular phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), or digital cameras. You can then conduct business in so-called "beehives," high traffic areas such as offices, hotels, and airports.

iPAQ connects you anywhere
The Compaq iPAQ pocket personal computer (PC) is atypical of your average handheld organizer and smarter. Running on Windows CE, it can do almost everything your computer can, it's portable, complex and powerful.

This Cadillac of pocket PCs can access the Internet anytime, anywhere. This is the thinnest colour pocket PC on the market and its looks reflect its speed -- blazingly fast. Some say it is the best reincarnation of Windows in your pocket yet.

Power play with Motorola's iDEN
The new iDEN phone, is not just a digital mobile phone. You can access the Internet with it, you can send short messages and you can even use it as a two-way radio. Motorola's iDEN uses packet data technology to meet the needs of high capacity users. You can also receive and send data in real time.

Users do not have to dial up the network each time they connect to the web. Packet data technology allows you to be connected all the time. It also has an alphanumeric pager and data capabilities to meet the needs of the business user. It is fast and its flexible.

Internet Speech
Do you prefer to send messages with speech rather than text? Voice-over Internet protocol (VoIP) is a great way to send messages. Just call and leave a voicemail, and it will be delivered right into an inbox.

With the NetSpeak voice e-mail technology, your voicemail will be recorded as a "wav" file that attaches to an e-mail message. Real time telephone quality audio and video is now available through the Internet without incurring the cost of long distance charges.

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Bluetooth Technology
Compaq's iPAQ
Motorola's iDEN
NetSpeak

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