PCM 045, 022-033 Mira 6/14/02 2:28 PM Page 22 TECHNOLOGY By Geoff Walker

Microsoft MIRA Tatung Mira prototype

“Mira” is yet MIRA AT A GLANCE Mira is Microsoft's code name for a wireless, pen- another enabled monitor intended for use with your home PC. Mira extends the use of Windows XP to any room in Microsoft- your house. Mira can be summarized as follows: championed Available Christmas 2002, $500 to $800 concept 14 OEMs & ODMs are signed up to build Miras meant to Two form factors: “main monitor” and “mobile monitor” Main monitors are 15" XGA Philips Mira prototype extend the Mobile monitors are 8.4" and 10.4" SVGA ViewSonic Mira prototype reach of Mira communicates with the home PC via WiFi (802.11b) Windows Mira uses Terminal Server software built into XP Pro Only one Mira can be used at a time beyond the Mira doesn't support full-motion video or 3D games desktop. With Mira f you’re thinking about buying a house, or even in the back yard. you access new monitor or a new PC, you’re According to Microsoft CEO Steve Iprobably considering getting one Ballmer, “Mira does for monitors with a flat LCD screen. what the cordless handset did for your PC with Microsoft’s “Mira” (derived telephones.” Think about that for from Spanish for “to watch”) a moment – it’s a darn good a wireless simply makes that LCD mobile. analogy. “Mira,” by the way, is Mira is a wireless, pen-enabled only a temporary code name. connection monitor. You’ll also see it referred Microsoft hasn’t decided on a to as a “smart display,” which final name for product. They’ll from wher- isn’t a very useful name, since it have to decide soon, though, doesn’t mean anything specific. since Mira products are sched- ever you are Why would anyone want a wire- uled to be available in time for less monitor? To be able to use a Christmas 2002. in the house. home PC in any room of the

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Extending also means that you base and used the Experience have access to all of anywhere in the Think of the applications and your PC peripherals, house. When it’s features you use on your PC, such as printers, CD mobile, it com- and then consider whether burners and Zip drives. municates with e some of them would be easier Mira is your PC, wherever prototyp the PC via WiFi lips Mira or better used away from the you want it. This is what Phi (802.11b) wire- desk and room where the PC Microsoft calls “relaxed, less. Most of the lives. One of the most obvious casual computing.” For a Mira main monitors to be an- uses is reading news and other very slick, two-minute Mi- nounced in 2002 will use 15" Internet content (browsing the crosoft concept video of a XGA (1024 x 768) LCDs, since web). Wouldn’t it be more family using a Mira in four that’s the current “sweet spot” comfortable to do it in an easy different rooms on two different in LCD monitors. chair or on the couch with a floors of a house, visit Initial Form Factors Mira mobile monitors can be Mira mobile monitor? But don’t http://www.microsoft.com/win- Most Mira V1 products will be used only remotely from the PC. stop there — what about read- dowsxp/mira/video.asp. available in one of two basic They can’t be connected di- ing and responding to email, form factors: “primary detach- rectly to the PC like a main doing instant messaging, re- ationale able monitor” and “secondary monitor. They also communi- viewing your personal mobile monitor.” For the re- cate with the PC via WiFi finances, planning a trip with R mainder of this article, these (802.11b) wireless. Mira mobile mapping software, doing cross- The basic terms are shortened to “main monitors will generally have word puzzles, viewing and monitor” and “mobile monitor.” some form of docking cradle editing photos, playing solitaire, concept of Mira The Mira main monitor, as the (or at least a passive stand) to doing minor editing with a name implies, replaces the hold the unit while it is being productivity application, play- is to extend the standard CRT or LCD monitor used with a keyboard and a ing and managing MP3 files, on a PC. When a Mira main mouse. Most of the Mira mobile sharing your photo albums with reach of your PC monitor is being used next to monitors that will be friends, reading ebooks, listen- the PC, it’s connected via a announced in 2002 will use 8.4" ing to Internet radio stations, or to every room of VGA or DVI cable, just like any or 10.4" SVGA (800 x 600) LCDs, reading endless documents other monitor. However, it can since that’s the design center and presentations from work? the house be detached (removed) from its of most webpads. Finally, breaking away from the “couch” environment, what Figure 1: The Mira log-in screen is the first thing you see on a Mira device. Please about accessing technical note that this is a beta version and may be different in the final product information from a CD-ROM for your car while you’re in the garage? The basic concept of the Mira is to extend the Windows PC experience to any room in the home. When you’re using a Mira, you’re using your PC. This is significantly different from using a webpad. With a web- pad, you’re limited to browsing the Internet and using a few, limited-functionality CE appli- cations. When you’re using a Mira, you have access to all the data and applications that are resident on your PC. This means that the Mira reflects all of your personalized PC set- tings such as My Favorites, My Pictures, folder settings, etc. It

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TABLE 1: COMPARISON OF MIRA WITH OTHER TYPES OF PRODUCTS Characteristic Mira LCD Monitor Internet Appliance Webpad Tablet PC Laptop PC

Positioning The evolution of Desktop monitor Limited capability Limited capability The evolution Mobile PC the monitor Internet access Internet access of the laptop Target Market Consumer Consumer Consumer Consumer Mobile Mobile and enterprise and vertical markets professionals professionals PC No (peripheral) No (peripheral) No (competition) No (competition) Yes Yes User Interface Windows Windows Browser Browser Windows Windows Mobile Yes No No Yes Yes Yes Wireless 802.11b No No 802.11b 802.11b & WAN 802.11b & WAN Standalone Apps Very limited in V1 No No Some Unlimited Unlimited Quiet, Cool Yes Yes Yes Yes Some No Instant-On Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes1 No Pen Support Yes No No Yes Yes No Full-Motion Video Not in V1 Yes No No Most2 Most2 and 3D Games OS Windows CE .Net None Windows CE, Windows CE Windows XP Windows 98 Linux Linux, QNX Tablet PC Edition 2000, XP 1 Resume in two seconds, but boot is still slow 2 (some may not have strong 3D support)

The Input Problem screens (resistive digitizers) for less keyboard and mouse (USB, going to be practical for long Looks pretty cool, doesn’t it? As use with a pen, on-screen IR, RF, etc.). But what if you emails or anything else that long as whatever you’re doing keyboards, handwriting recogni- want to write more than a one- requires a lot of input. A real doesn’t require a lot of input, tion (Transcriber, the same as line response to an email? keyboard is the only solution. everything’s great. Most Mira on a Pocket PC), and a method and on- But how do you actually do it? monitors have will touch of connecting a corded or cord- screen keyboards are never Do you put the Mira on the OTHER WIRELESS MONITORS Mira is unique. There’s nothing exactly like it on the market today. However, there are several other wireless monitor products that share some degree of commonality with Mira. These include the AirSpeak Flair, the

Xtend from DOT Design Technologies, the Toughbook 07 and the Sony Airboard. (See Table 4 for URLs.) AirSpeak Flair DOT Design Technologies Xtend The Flair is a wireless monitor aimed at the enterprise market The Xtend is closest of the four products in concept to the Mira. rather than the home market. It was initially designed to wirelessly Created by a tiny startup in San Mateo, CA, the Xtend is like an connect to a “corridor cruiser’s” desktop PC and provide remote enhanced Mira running mobile access to the desktop. The Flair is similar to the Mira in that Linux instead of Win- it’s a Windows CE device with integrated WiFi (802.11b) wireless, dows CE. According to except that the protocol used between the Flair and a desktop PC is Todd Shafer, President proprietary. The Flair is a more open platform than the Mira, since it and Founder of DOT can also be configured as a wireless thin client or a CE tablet. Design Technologies, the When the Flair is configured as a thin client, the protocol used product is presently in between the Flair and a server can be either Microsoft’s RDP or the “virtual prototype” Citrix’s ICA. When it’s configured as a CE tablet, the Flair can sup- phase of development. port wide-area wireless DOT’s philosophy strong- (CDPD or GSM) as well ly emphasizes the long- as WiFi. AirSpeak’s term benefits of an open primary target markets design based on Linux. for the CE tablet version DOT also clearly understands that a device such as the Xtend is of the Flair are health- “primarily for read-only activities.” There are two main areas care, manufacturing where the design of the Xtend differs from Microsoft’s concept of and retail. List price of Mira: RDP and standalone applications. First, instead of Microsoft’s the Flair is $1,895 for the RDP, the Xtend uses a proprietary protocol between the wireless wireless monitor or CE monitor and the PC. Second, the Xtend includes a full web browser, tablet version and an email client and accessory applications such as a universal $1,695 for the thin client remote control for audio-visual equipment, a calculator and a version. notepad. DOT’s street price target for the Xtend is $699.

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coffee table and the keyboard case of the consumer who has a on your lap? The screen’s hard PC running Windows XP Home to read at that distance. Do you but knows little about it (they put them both in some sort of just use it). The PC must have an “portfolio” case and balance the internal or external wireless case on your lap? It’s clumsy Access Point installed and and awkward. With a Mira main configured, and XP Home must monitor, it’s impossible because be upgraded to XP Pro (more on it is too big. The reality is that if this later). There may be wire- you need to use a keyboard, less dead spots in the home due you’re going to put the Mira (in a to plaster walls or other prob- stand or dock) and the keyboard lems. In the worst case, the on a table or desk. At least it consumer may have decided to doesn’t have to be in the same upgrade to broadband at the room as the PC. same time, so the broadband configuration may also be added The OOBE Challenge to the mix. The ultimate target market for To help minimize this com- Mira is any consumer with a PC. plexity, Microsoft is working The out-of-box-experience with the Mira OEMs to ensure (OOBE, what the consumer sees they develop appropriate bun- and does when they first open dles – for example, a PC and the Mira box) is therefore very Mira already fully configured. important. Microsoft is going to Microsoft is also in discussions significant lengths to make the with retailers and other organi- OOBE as easy as possible, but zations about wireless installa- it’s a challenge. Consider the tion services, though they aren’t

above: Sony Airboard

device category called the “IT TV” (information technology televi- Panasonic Toughbook 07 sion). The Airboard consists of a 12.1” wireless monitor connected The Toughbook 07 was reviewed in the April/May issue of Pen Com- via WiFi (802.11b) to a base station (not a PC). The base station puting (issue #44, page 40). Like the rest of the Toughbook family of contains the following functionality: products, it’s aimed at • TV tuner for connection to CATV cable or an antenna enterprise and govern- • Two video inputs for DVD, VCR, satellite tuner or other AV enter- ment markets, not the tainment devices home. Typical applica- • 56 Kbps modem for connection to a phone line tions for the Toughbook • Ethernet for connection to a cable or ADSL modem 07 include law enforce- • Router and WiFi (802.11b) access point supporting up to 15 PCs ment (e.g., bicycle po- • Print server supporting a USB printer accessible by the Airboard licemen), aircraft main- and the PCs tenance and “line bust- • Charging for the Airboard’s rechargeable battery ing” (using a mobile The Airboard supports picture-in-picture, so you can be surfing POS terminal to shorten the Internet or checking your email while simultaneously watching service lines). The TV or a DVD movie in one corner of the screen. The print server Toughbook 07 consists of allows printing images from the TV, not just the Internet. Unlike Mira a “brick-like” base module and a handheld wireless monitor incor- V1, the Airboard can be used standalone, for example, in public WiFi porating an 8.4” SVGA transflective TFT. The use of a transflective hotspots. The Airboard also includes offline email, drawing and LCD allows operation indoors or outdoors; the wireless monitor is photo-display applications. Like Mira V1, only one Airboard can be rugged enough to survive repeated four-foot drops to concrete. The used at a time, but since the Airboard isn’t replacing the monitor on Toughbook 07 is a full PC and can run any version of Windows (98, a PC, it’s less of an issue. Since the base station contains a router NT-4, 2000 or XP). It uses a proprietary protocol over a standard and WiFi access point, the Airboard’s broadband connection can be WiFi (802.11b) link between the base module and the handheld wire- shared by up to 15 PCs. less monitor. The Toughbook 07 is sold through VARs and in quantity The Airboard is currently sold only in Japan. Satoru Maeda, cre- to large end-users (there is no published price). ator of the Airboard and head of Sony’s Personal IT division, told the author that introduction in the US was being considered but that it Sony Airboard required careful, detailed planning in light of the US economy and The Airboard is a wireless monitor that embodies the convergence Sony’s recent experience with the eVilla (Sony’s Internet Appliance of entertainment (TV and other audio-visual sources) and informa- that was pulled from the US market after only two months of sales). tion (Internet access). As such, Sony puts the Airboard in a new The street price of the Airboard in Japan is 130,000 yen (around $1,000).

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ready to talk about any details via two dedicated Application but for the keynote-level answer is cost and complexity. yet. Intel, who sells WiFi buttons – note that there’s no speeches, Microsoft boiled it A Mira monitor should be sub- (802.11b) hardware to OEMs other way to start local applica- down to “Mira is like a cordless stantially lower cost than a building Miras, is also sensitive tions. Microsoft’s reason for this phone (you can only use it in the decent laptop, and ideally even to the problem. “We’re trying to limitation seems to be to ensure house), while the Tablet PC is lower cost than a low-end PC figure out easy mechanisms for that the product positioning is like a cellphone (you can use it (more on cost later). Complexity setup and connectability for the crystal clear – it’s a remote anywhere).” Paul Thurrott is even more significant. It can wireless system. We want to monitor, and you’re running commented on this in his WinIn- be difficult, expensive and time- make it so my mom can use it” applications on your PC. Period. fo Daily Update (www.winnet- consuming to keep multiple PCs (Mike Iannitti, Director of Ex- As soon as you add meaningful mag.net) on April 19, saying at the same level in terms of tended Computer Operations at local applications and data, then “One problem with introducing application versions, anti-virus Intel, in a story in EE Times). you’ve introduced a sense of new technology to the masses files, favorites, user interface “state,” where the user has to is that you have to dumb it down tweaks, downloads, data file User Interface think about whether they’re for the attention-deficit-disorder synchronization, etc. Setting up When you sign on to a Mira, the working locally or remotely. crowd. Microsoft’s recent a full-scale home network to process is almost the same as Microsoft believes that for attempts to differentiate its Mira deal with this just raises the signing on to XP. The fact that Mira’s ultimate target audience, remote-display technology from complexity level even further. If you’re doing it over a wireless simplicity is critical. the Tablet PC are groan-induc- the objective is to give your link is almost transparent. Figure Not everyone agrees. Proba- ing. Seriously, did anyone actu- teenager their own PC in their 1 shows a screenimage of a bly the most vocal disagreement ally confuse these products?” bedroom, and they’re going to prototype Mira logon screen. comes from The Register, a UK- Table 1 presents this author’s manage it themselves, then a Looks a lot like XP, doesn’t it? based, on-line publication version of a product type-com- second PC makes sense. But if One Mira can connect (sequen- whose slogan is “Biting the parison. See the sidebar on the objective is to extend your tially) to multiple PCs, thus the hand that feeds IT.” Their story, “Other Wireless Monitors” for own use of the PC to other “Connect to:” field in the upper entitled “Microsoft’s Mira – take information on related products. rooms in the house, then a Mira left corner. The Battery and smart display, maim, serve” is One might ask, is Mira an is worth consideration. One final Connection indicators are self- worth reading. Visit “information appliance?” Mi- aspect is the “quiet, cool, in- explanatory, but the Application http://www.theregister.co.uk/ crosoft’s answer is a definite no. stant-on” nature of a Mira. It’s buttons need some explanation. content/archive/24463.html. The Microsoft Mira team is substantially more comfortable Mira is actually a full Win- careful never to use the dread- and convenient to use than a dows CE-based computer. It Comparison with ed “IA” word. Information appli- laptop (assuming that a high could run Pocket Office or other Other Devices ances were a hot future product volume of keyboard input isn’t CE applications. However, Microsoft has put an unusual in 1999 and 2000, but they basi- required, of course). Microsoft is discouraging the amount of effort into carefully cally died a quiet death in 2001. Mira OEMs from including any delineating the differences The IA word is now associated Media Reaction standard Windows CE applica- between Mira and other related with failure, and Microsoft Most of the stories about Mira tions in the Mira ROM. Only very products. To some extent, this wants no part of it. in the computer trade press simple, consumer-oriented seems to be driven by have been factual, with relative- applications such as “TV remote Microsoft’s Tablet PC project; Why Not Another PC? ly few dissenting opinions. This control” or “electronic picture there is concern about potential The main competition for Mira is is probably because Mira is a frame” (software that displays confusion between Mira and another PC. After all, if you want new concept in the consumer photos from external storage Tablet PCs. The differentiation to use a PC in the living room, space, compared to the Tablet cards) are recommended. The was clearly drawn in technical and you want to use a keyboard, PC. The latter carries a lot of user starts these applications terms in the WinHEC sessions, why not just buy a laptop? The baggage from the last 12 years TABLE 5: OTHER WIRELESS MONITORS

Spec DOT Design Panasonic Toughbook 07 AirSpeak Flair Sony Airboard Techn. Xtend Product Concept Enhanced Mira 2-piece rugged PC w/ wireless display Wireless monitor, thin Convergence of TV running Linux client or CE tablet and Internet access Market Home Enterprise & government Enterprise Home LCD 10.4" XGA 8.4" Transflective SVGA 12.1" XGA 12.1" SVGA CPU Geode Pentium III @ 300 MHz StrongARM MIPS @ 200 MHz Linux Windows 98, NT-4, 2000, XP Windows CE 3.0 VXWorks (Wind River) Storage Slots 1-CF None (5 GB hard disk) 2-PC 1-Memory Stick Size (in.) 9.5 x 9.5 x 1.5 8.7 x 6.4 x 1.2 (LCD)7.9 x 3.6 x 2.1 (PC) 11.7 x 9.4 x 1.2 14.5 x 9.5 x 2.1 Weight (lbs.) 4.5 1.5 (LCD); 2.1 (PC) 3.3 4.6 Battery (hrs.) 3-5 2 6 2-3

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that tends to evoke strong TABLE 2: Microsoft’s Mira Partners as of May 2002 opinions. The majority of the published opinion on Mira so far Companies Building Mira Monitors has been positive. An example Company Type and Location Comments of both sides is as follows: “Mira is a big deal,” said AboCom ODM (Taiwan) Makes 10.4" webpads for three OEMs (top provider) Martin Reynolds from Gartner DT Research OEM/ODM (Taiwan) Showed 8.4" Mira prototype at CeBIT Dataquest. “It’s compelling Sells webpads/thin clients under own WebDT brand because you have the applica- Builds ODM webpads and thin clients tions running on the computer Providing hardware for Microsoft’s Mira beta test itself. There’s no need for very OEM (Japan) Builds lots of pen tablets fast processors on the Mira pad; No webpads, but is developing a Tablet PC that will just burn the battery.” LG Electronics OEM/ODM (Korea) Announced they will build 15" Mira as an OEM “Microsoft thinks you’ll carry Considering building 10.4" or larger remote Mira around an LCD panel as a re- Announced a webpad in 2001 but never completed it mote-access device for your ODM for one of the Tablet PC OEMs home PC. Maybe as a drink NEC OEM (Japan) Partnered w/ Tatung on a webpad for Japanese market tray…” (Stephen Howard-Sarin, Developing a Tablet PC writing for ZDNet’s Philips OEM (Netherlands) Showed 10.4" Mira prototype at CeBIT AnchorDesk). Showed 15" Mira ID model at WinHEC, no webpads Tatung ODM (Taiwan) Showed 10.4" Mira prototype at CeBIT and WinHEC Reality Check Builds ODM webpads, is developing a Tablet PC Whenever Microsoft comes up Toshiba OEM (Japan) No webpads, is developing a Tablet PC with a new product concept, the TriGem ODM (Korea) Showed 8.4" Mira prototype at WinHEC world has learned to ask, “Is it Considering building a larger Mira real? Is it going to stick, or is it Has a joint venture with SOTEC in Japan just another half-baked idea?” ViewSonic OEM (USA) Showed 15" Mira prototype at CES Not everything Microsoft tries is Sells 10.4" pre-Mira wireless monitor (AirPanel 100) successful. For example, take Sells webpads and pen tablets the Auto PC. Have you heard Developing a Tablet PC anything significant about it Providing hardware for Microsoft’s Mira beta test since 1999? On a “realness Wistron ODM (Taiwan) No webpads, is developing a Tablet PC scale” of 1-10, the author puts Wyse Technology OEM (USA) Showed 15" Mira non-mobile prototype at CeBIT Mira at about 6-7. In compari- Will also build 10.4" Mira and "remote terminal" Mira son, the Tablet PC is at about 9. No webpads, but resold Zenith CruisePad in late 90’s One way of gauging this factor is to look at the number of people Companies Building Mira-Enabled PCs on the respective project teams at Microsoft. The Tablet PC team Fujitsu OEM (Japan) See above has around 200 people; the Mira NEC OEM (Japan) See above team has around 20. However, Panasonic OEM (Japan) No webpads that’s actually a little misleading. Focused mostly on Japanese market Tablet PC requires creating a SOTEC OEM (Japan) No webpads separate version of Windows, Focused exclusively on Japanese market along with many capabilities for creating, managing, manipulat- Technology Companies ing and storing digital ink. That takes substantial engineering Intel IHV (USA) Providing XScale CPUs resources. Mira, on the other National Semi. IHV (USA) Providing Geode CPUs hand, is simply a repurposing and tweaking of existing tech- Key Technologies The key technologies in Mira Are you surprised to see nologies. Also, assessing Mi- Mira V1 is a classic Microsoft include the following: “webpad hardware designs” crosoft products requires taking product. It’s a set of existing • Existing webpad hardware listed as one of the key tech- a multi-year view, acknowledg- technologies, nicely packaged, designs nologies? Webpads and wire- ing their incremental step-by- well-positioned with strong • Windows XP less monitors are both “embed- step approach, and the fact that marketing spin, and defined as a • CE .Net ded devices.” They both need a Microft doesn’t care what hard- platform on which OEMs, IHVs • WiFi (802.11b) wireless LAN CPU and an embedded OS to ware form-factor wins. and ISVs can develop products. • Microsoft Terminal Services drive an LCD, manage a wire-

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DT Research WebDT 380 MICROSOFT’S CONNECTED HOME

Microsoft’s all-encompass- consumption and streaming) once offering a ing vision of the Connected • A “Freestyle distance user single reason why Home includes entertainment interface” (a PC remote control the consumer devices, computing devices and with an appropriate on-screen would want it. The communications devices, all interface for use ten feet away) underlying as- connected together via an IP- • An “audio-visual node” (a sumption seemed capable home network that’s device that renders streamed to be “Because it also bridged to a control net- audio and video content) can be controlled work supporting home automa- • A “digital audio receiver” (a by a PC, it should tion devices. The basic objec- device that renders streamed be.” It’s simply not tives of the Connected Home audio content) obvious that it makes sense to Edwards, Director of Marketing include the following: • Self-amplified, digital speak- use a PC to control room lights, for Microsoft’s Embedded Appli- ers containing their own audio room temperature, electric ance and Platform Group • Make all audio-visual content codecs blinds, etc. Using a complex (EAPG), Microsoft is “working available anywhere inside and • All existing audio-visual network to pipe music around hard to ensure that consumers outside the home equipment (TV, VCR, DVD, PVR, the house (albeit, different will have as few hurdles (both • Display relevant information DSS, etc.) music in different rooms) seems technical and financial) as on all content in a consistent • Home automation controls to be technical overkill. HavingDr. Gene Sheu,possible FIC for Mira V1.” manner on all devices and devices connected to a all the media content resident Windows CE .Net (4.0) is the • Make all devices in the home dedicated control network (X10, on the PC could be interesting, obvious choice for Mira’s em- function together as a uniform, EIB, Lonworks, Cebus, Jini, etc.) but people want to consume bedded OS, since Windows XP automated system media, not spend time manag- Embedded would be overkill for • Make all device user experi- ing it. A PVR works perfectly a product as simple as a wire- ences available anywhere Some Questions well alone, what real advantage less monitor. A Mira-type prod- inside or outside the home During one of the WinHEC is there in having the PC control uct could certainly be built with • Allow trusted suppliers to sessions on the Connected it? These kinds of questions Linux as the embedded OS, but provide reliable services Home, Microsoft showed a were not addressed in any then it wouldn’t be a Microsoft through the devices in the home short video in which a woman convincing way. product, would it? (See the puts a DVD movie into a player. The second question many sidebar on “Other Wireless In addition to all of the vari- Because everything is net- people have about the Connect- Monitors” for an example.) eties of Miras described in the worked together, that simple ed Home is “Is there any WiFi (802.11b) wireless is also main article, the Connected action caused (a) the room chance of it all working correct- the obvious choice for the physi- Home includes many other lights to be dimmed, (b) the ly?” While everything Microsoft cal communications between kinds of devices all networked electric blinds to be lowered, described is technically possi- Mira’s mobile display and the together, as follows (with trans- (c) the HDTV to turn on, and (d) ble, today’s PC is simply not host PC. In Mira V1, the 11 Mbps lations of the Microsoft jargon): the DVD to start playing. The stable and reliable enough to speed of “b” is plenty fast audience reaction seemed to control the entire house. Rec- enough. Intel says they will • Standard PCs be mostly skepticism. ognizing this, Microsoft has migrate to a dual 802.11a/b • A “network edge device” (a The first question many started working on making the combination next year as wire- PC or set-top box directly con- people have about the Connect- PC “more reliable and trustwor- less hardware costs come down. nected to the Internet) ed Home is “Why would I want thy.” In fact, Microsoft has set Microsoft Terminal Services • A “residential gateway” computers to do all that?” In a goal of making the PC “as (often referred to by the name of (services on a PC providing one of the WinHEC sessions, reliable as a CD player” (instant the protocol it uses, Remote DHCP, NAT and a firewall) Scott Manchester, a Technical on, never reboots, no reset Desktop Protocol, or RDP) is the • A “media center PC” (a Evangelist for the Connected button, quiet, simple to use, final obvious choice of techno- stereo component-like PC that’s Home, spent a full hour present- etc.) – but it’s likely to be a long, logy. Terminal Services provides a focal point for digital media ing a detailed overview of the slow trip. the “logical” (versus “physical”) creation, storage, management, Connected Home without even communications between Mira’s mobile display and the less link, send and receive data key technology. Mira V1 moni- must also be installed, because host PC. Terminal Services can from various ports, accept input tors will be supported only on it includes all the Mira-specific deliver the Windows XP desktop from a touch screen, etc. It XP Pro, because the underlying PC technology. In the long term, to almost any client device that turns out that today’s webpad technology that allows a remote clearly the Mira technology must has a screen and an input hardware designs are an ideal session (Remote Desktop) is be included in XP Home in order method (keyboard, pen or starting point for Mira. only in XP Pro, not XP Home. In to serve the target market. In the mouse) – such as Mira. Windows XP is obviously a addition, XP Service Pack 1 short term, according to Aubrey

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Terminal Services: (allowing multiple simultaneous the Key to Mira STRONGARM SUCCESSOR: INTEL XSCALE users). On the other hand, in the Terminal Services was originally XScale is Intel’s name for a successor to the StrongARM micro- question-and-answer session created in 1997 as a component processor. The “scale” in XScale refers to the CPU’s ability to after one of his speeches at of the NT-4 Server OS. It has dynamically change both frequency and voltage to minimize power CeBIT, Steve Ballmer, President matured substantially since consumption. The “PXA250” is the Intel XScale CPU that will ap- and CEO of Microsoft, said, “The then. Windows XP Pro now uses pear in some Mira products. In Run mode at 300 MHz, the PXA250 [Mira] concept doesn’t make it to provide remote trouble- draws about 400 mW of power. In comparison, the StrongARM SA- sense [without concurrency], so shooting capability, where one 1110 (used in most of today’s Windows CE devices) in Run mode at that will be a version 2 feature.” PC can view and control the 206 MHz draws 800 mW. This majority of this improvement comes Rick Merritt, writing about screen of another PC. You can from a change in process from 0.35 microns to 0.18 microns; the WinHEC in EE Times, reported even use Terminal Services on a balance comes from architecture improvements. that “a senior engineer with one Pocket PC 2002 device to log on The core of the XScale CPU incorporates a new version of ARM OEM said his company would to a remote PC and display a architecture that is 100% compatible with existing application not make Mira-enabled devices Windows 2000 or XP desktop on software. ARM (Advanced RISC Machines, www.arm.com) is a because in their first iteration a the Pocket PC screen. In the company in Cambridge, England that designs microprocessor user cannot access a home PC enterprise, products that use cores and licenses them to over 70 semiconductor companies and the Mira display at the Terminal Services are typically (including Intel). ARM’s designs are found in about 75% of all 32-bit same time.” referred to as “thin clients” (see RISC microprocessors. ARM’s next version (after the one currently Another dissenter, Jack the sidebar on “Thin Clients” for used in the XScale) will boost initial clock speeds into the range of Schofield, writing in The more information). 350-500 MHz, compared with 200-400 MHz for the PXA250. Guardian, chimed in with “[You] When a user runs an applica- can’t use a remote Mira tablet tion using Terminal Server, only for a fraction of a second with- only one Mira can be used at a while another member of the the keyboard, pen, mouse and out dropping the connection to time. This is one of the two most family is hogging the desktop display information are transmit- the PC), simplification of auto- significant limitations of Mira PC... You would be better off ted over the wireless link be- matic reconnection (e.g., when V1. If your Mira is the main buying a cheap notebook PC tween the “terminal” (Mira, in you walk into and out of an area display, when you undock it and instead [of a Mira].” this case) and the host PC. This without wireless coverage in go to another room in the house, communication is quite efficient, your house), and improved you’re still the only user. If your Full-Motion Video since only the pixels that have audio and video performance. Mira is a mobile monitor, the The second most significant changed (screen updates) are main monitor is locked out limitation of Mira V1 is that transmitted, not entire screen Only One Mira whenever you use the mobile Terminal Services (RDP) can’t images. Since Terminal Ser- In a server environment, each monitor (this is similar to the handle full-motion video (or vices was originally designed to Terminal Services user sees way Remote Desktop works anything that requires fast work acceptably over 28.8 Kbps only their individual session, today in Windows XP Pro). refresh). This means you can’t modem links, running it over independent of any other client There can only be one user on a sit on the couch in the living WiFi (802.11b) wireless at 11 session. Literally hundreds of PC today, so only one Mira can room with your Mira main moni- Mbps provides more than sessions can exist simultane- be used at a time. tor on the coffee table and enough speed. ously. The server operating Microsoft speaks with differ- watch a DVD movie playing on RDP has been tweaked slight- system transparently manages ent voices about this limitation. the PC in the den. (The legal ly for use in Mira. The improve- the multiple user sessions. In Aubrey Edwards said that Mi- issue of whether you can trans- ments include improved con- the current Windows XP envi- crosoft’s research clearly indi- mit the contents of a DVD movie nection management (e.g., to ronment, Terminal Services is cated that mobility is more to a remote device is an entirely allow losing the wireless signal single-user. This means that important than concurrency separate issue.) RDP also can’t

TABLE 3: MIRA PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

Spec DT Research Philips Philips Tatung TriGem ViewSonic ViewSonic Wyse Technology Base Product WebDT 380 (New) (New) TWN-5213-CU CE Tablet AirPanel 100 (New) 3630LE LCD 8.4" SVGA 10.4" SVGA 15" XGA 10.4" SVGA 8.4" SVGA 10.4" SVGA 15" XGA 15" XGA Size (in.) 7.9 x 9.6 x 1.1 1.0 thick ND ND 0.67 thick 13.8 x 8 x 0.9 ND 14.8 x 15.4 x 7.7 Weight (lbs.) 2.3 ND ND 3.2 1.4 2.5 7 proto, 5 target 12.5 CPU Geode XScale XScale Geode XScale StrongARM XScale Geode Storage Slots 1-CF 1-SD ND 1-CF 1-PC 1-PC & 1-CF ND None Battery (hrs.) 2-4 5 ND 2-4 4 5 ND (AC powered)

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handle any software that re- TABLE 4: MIRA-RELATED LINKS AND RESOURCES quires Direct-X, which means that you can’t run 3D games of AboCom Systems www.abocom.com.tw/ma1000.htm any kind (even relatively tame AirSpeak www.airspeak.com/flair_frame.html 3D simulation games such as DOT Design Tech. www.dotdesigntech.com The Sims or Monopoly Tycoon). Fujitsu www.fujitsu.com RDP’s bandwidth is sufficient for Intel developer.intel.com/design/pca/prodbref/298620.htm typical small-window streaming LG Electronics www.lge.com video from the Web (at 200 Microsoft www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/mira Kbps), but that’s about it. National Semi www.national.com/pf/SC/SC3200.html Microsoft minimizes the NEC www.necus.com importance of this limitation. Panasonic www.panasonic.com/computer/notebook/html/01a07.htm Philips CE www.press.ce.philips.com/cebit2002/connect.html Microsoft’s position regarding Sony www.sony.jp/airboard/indexpc.html DVDs is that most families that www.sony-asia.com.sg/news/2001/dec12acnews.html watch DVDs already have a SOTEC www.sotec.co.jp/index.html good viewing setup, usually a big Tatung www.tatungwebpad.com TV in the family room. Micro- Toshiba www.toshiba.com soft’s position regarding gaming TriGem www.trigem.com/trigem/front/2002/index.asp is that most people playing 3D ViewSonic www.viewsonic.com/products/airpanel100.htm games do so either at a desk Wistron www.wistron.com/index.html (with joysticks or other game Wyse Technology www.wyse.com/products/winterm/3630le/index.htm controllers, 5.1 surround speak- www.wyse.com/products/winterm/3200le/index.htm ers, etc.), or they use a gaming console such as the X-Box. and LCD monitors, so Mira modes for the digitizer is not screen and an input device, you probably won’t stay at SVGA very user-friendly. realize that memory of any kind very long. 12.1” XGA may an (internal or external) is almost Hardware interesting LCD size for a Mira. Video Controller The irrelevant. The user really does- As noted earlier, the Mira V1 Some OEMs may consider using video controller shown in the n’t care how much memory hardware design is basically the transflective TFT for improved block diagram is optional, de- there is in a Mira because local same as a webpad. Figure 2 outdoor viewability. Since fewer pending on the CPU selected, storage typically won’t be used. shows the block diagram of a than 10% of monitors today can the resolution of the LCD, and The user is connected to his PC, generic Mira. physically rotate to portrait the desired video performance. so storage is the PC’s RAM and mode, screen rotation in Mira is It’s one of those classic disk. The primary reason for CPU The two primary CPU not a major issue – although it cost/performance/battery-life Mira’s external storage capabil- providers for Mira are Intel and may be a good differentiator for tradeoffs. The bottom portion of ity is standalone use as an National. Mira is shaping up as a an OEM. the block diagram shows the “electronic picture frame.” battleground for these two dock (base) for a Mira main vendors. Intel has announced Digitizer Most, if not all, of monitor. It provides standard Battery Achieving sufficient four Mira design wins for their the initial Miras will use resis- VGA and DVI inputs, which, battery life while maintaining new XScale CPU (AboCom, tive (touch) digitizers. after appropriate video process- light weight may be a challenge Philips, Tatung and ViewSonic), Microsoft’s thinking on this is ing, are “passed through” to the for Mira developers. Most while National has announced that since the Mira is not meant Mira’s LCD. Note that the dock webpads today have battery life three Mira design wins for their for heavy data input or exten- also includes USB ports, which of around 3 hours, and that’s Geode CPU (DT Research, sive use of digital ink, the per- makes sense for both Mira main typically with the brightness at Tatung and Wyse). Tatung is formance of a resistive digitizer monitors and mobile monitors medium, the CPU idling most of doing two designs, that’s why is adequate. Actually, if a signifi- (keyboard and mouse connec- the time while you’re reading they’re on both lists. At this point cant portion of the Mira’s use is tions for the latter). The USB web pages, and a light duty it’s impossible to predict which for web browsing, then an port can also be used to up- cycle on the wireless. Constant- CPU will end up in the majority of active digitizer (which has hover grade the Mira software from ly running Terminal Services to Mira designs. (See the sidebar and a right-click button on the the PC. reproduce the frequently chang- on “Intel XScale” for more pen) makes more sense. Recog- ing screen of a PC, along with a information on this new CPU.) nizing this, but unwilling to force Storage External storage higher duty cycle on the wire- the Mira OEMs to incur the cost (typically a compact flash slot) less, is likely to use more power. LCD As noted elsewhere in this premium for an active digitizer, on a Mira is not required, but is Screen brightness may be even article, Mira V1 LCDs are mostly Microsoft has implemented both likely to appear in most products more of a problem, since the 8.4” & 10.4” SVGA, and 15” XGA. “hover” mode and “right click” since the incremental hardware backlight is the largest con- PC resolution is moving rapidly mode in the Mira input panel. cost is very low. If you think of sumer of power in the Mira. A to XGA, helped along by laptops This works, but having three the Mira V1 as just being a typical desktop LCD monitor has

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Figure 2: MIRA Block diagram a brightness of around 250 nits, User Controls a typical laptop is 150 nits, and External and Indicators webpads are typically 100 nits Storage or less. It remains to be seen XScale or Internal Mono Speaker what combination of brightness Internal Microphone Geode CPU Audio and battery life the market will Resistive • Microphone In accept in a Mira device. Digitizer • Headphones • USB Ports What Will Mira Cost? Flash SDRAM 802.11b Keith White, Senior Director of Memory Memory Wireless Marketing and Business Devel- opment in Microsoft’s Embed- ded Appliance and Platform System Bus Group, has been widely quoted in the press as saying that Miras Video will cost in the range of $500 to Controller LCD $800. (optional) The chart below shows a MIRA simplified breakdown of an estimated hardware bill of USB Ports SDRAM materials (BOM) cost for a • DOCK VGA Image Processor typical Mira mobile monitor. • (Mira Main Monitor only) DVI • EEPROM Component Cost 10.4” SVGA LCD $140 Geode motherboard $ 70 and the housing (which are widely accepted.” bled a group of companies who WiFi (802.11b) wireless $ 45 already accounted for in an LCD What would the installed cost have agreed to kick-start the 3-cell Li-ion battery $ 20 monitor) yields a cost adder of of a Mira mobile monitor be? It Mira program. Table 2 lists all 32 MB flash memory $ 20 $180. Applying the same calcu- depends on the buyer’s starting the players, along with their 64 MB SDRAM memory $ 15 lation as above for the mobile point. If the user already has a business model (OEM/ODM), Resistive digitizer panel $ 10 monitor produces a forecasted WiFi (802.11b) wireless network location and the author’s com- Housing $ 10 minimum adder of $297 for a in the house and is already ments. It’s interesting to note Total $330 main monitor, right at the upper running XP Professional, then that of the companies who have limit of Mike Iannitti’s $200 - the installed cost would be only announced they’re developing Starting with the $330 total $300 range. The average street $500. According to Aubrey Mira monitors, 58% of them are from the chart and adding 10% price of a name-brand 15” LCD Edwards, the initial target mar- also developing Tablet PCs, 42% for the ODM’s profit margin, monitor as of May 2002 is ket for Mira V1 is “early of them build or sell webpads, then multiplying by 1.5 to ac- around $400. Adding the $297 adopters and technical enthusi- and 25% of them do both web- count for the OEM’s total distrib- Mira hardware to the $400 asts,” so this is the most proba- pads and Tablet PCs. It’s also ution cost and margin produces monitor produces a forecasted ble scenario. Forecasting the interesting to note the total a forecasted minimum street minimum street price of around installed cost for a user without absence of all of the Tier-1 PC price of $545 for a Mira mobile $700 for a 15” Mira main moni- wireless and with XP Home isn’t OEMs: Compaq, Dell, Gateway, monitor. This must be somewhat tor, within Keith White’s $500 - possible yet, since as noted HP and IBM. Actually, it’s not close to reality, since more than $800 range. above, Microsoft hasn’t decided surprising. Mira is, after all, a one of Microsoft’s Mira partners What price point would cause how they’re going to minimize form of pen , told the author that achieving a the Mira mobile monitors to fly the upgrade cost from XP Home and you know how most of the $499 street price for a 10.4” off the shelf? Probably $299. to XP Professional. Tier-1 OEMs feel about pen mobile monitor will be a difficult This seems to be a magic price Adding broadband Internet tablets! challenge. point for consumer electronics access (about $50 per month In a story published in EE in general. Microsoft seems to with a rented cable modem) is Mira Prototypes Times, Mike Iannitti from Intel agree. In a video interview on not required for a Mira, but it As of May 2002, eight Mira said that he expects the Mira CNET News.com, Keith White would make the user experi- prototypes or mockups have hardware to add no more than said “The [Mira mobile monitor] ence a lot better when browsing been shown in various public $200 or $300 to the price of a price points have to come down the web on the couch. forums. See Table 3 for summa- regular LCD monitor. to a very reasonable $200 to ry specifications on these proto- Using the data from the chart $500 range [instead of $500 to Mira Partners types. Some of the specs are above but eliminating the LCD $800] before they’ll really be As usual, Microsoft has assem- shown as “ND” (not disclosed)

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THIN CLIENTS Technically, Mira is a “thin solution. Thin client hardware client” in Information Techno- is typically more than twice as logy (IT) terms. According to reliable as a PC. With applica- National Semiconductor, tions and data resident on a whose Geode processor has central sever, the per-user cost more than 85% of the thin client of management, support, market, a thin client is “a desk- downtime, backups and up- top device with nominal on- grades is reduced substantial- board computing power opti- ly. New versions of software A number of Geode-based products mized for information access are distributed to all thin clients from a central server.” Win- simultaneously, which im- thin clients due to the wide first shown at CeBIT, is based dows CE .Net running on a proves data exchange and range of software and proces- on the existing Tatung TWN- Geode or Xscale processor collaboration. Thin clients don’t sor-intensive applications they 5213-CU webpad. The really provides “nominal on-board need hard drives, CPU up- often need. Thin clients are unique aspects of this webpad computing power” compared grades, or large amounts of especially appropriate in envi- are that it can withstand at least to the Pentium 4 in a full PC memory, which makes them ronments where there is heavy a 5-foot drop onto carpeted (“fat client”). Remote Desktop cheaper than a PC. Since use of template applications, concrete, and it’s splash proof. Protocol (see the main article there’s no hard drive, data such as in the completion and Tatung demonstrated the shock for more information) is what can’t be lost due to hard drive processing of forms. The top resistance several times during makes Mira “optimized for failure. Thin client systems can six markets for thin clients are WinHEC by dropping it from information access from a grow by adding CPU power, healthcare, financial services, shoulder height onto carpeted central server.” In the case of memory and storage to the retail point-of-sale, education concrete (the typical trade show Mira V1, it’s a single-user central server rather than (K-12), transportation and aisle). Tatung’s mobile Mira server (the home PC). You upgrading every PC in the government agencies. The next should be very attractive to won’t ever see Mira referred to company. Thin clients are time you’re in a retail chain consumers who want to use it in as a “thin client” by Microsoft, inherently more secure than store such as Mattress Dis- the kitchen or other PC-hostile however, since it’s an overly PCs, since there’s no remov- counters, check out the “PC- locations. technical term that’s incompat- able storage. like” device on which the ible with a friendly, home- The downside is that thin salesperson is entering your TriGem This 8.4” prototype, oriented marketing pitch. clients demand more (or more sale. Chances are it’s a thin first shown at WinHEC, is the Thin clients are used in powerful) servers, and they client, probably one made by result of new development. It’s a enterprise because they re- tend to generate more network Wyse Technology, since they stunner in terms of size and duce the Total Cost of Owner- traffic. Knowledge profession- have more than 50% of the thin weight. It’s incredibly thin – only ship (TCO) of a computing als aren’t good prospects for client market. 0.67 inches, and at only 1.4 pounds, holding it is effortless. because it’s a little too early for several years, and they have a shown at CeBIT. Multiple photos TriGem is a Korean ODM in a some of the OEMs (and Mi- broad range of products in this of this prototype are available joint venture with SOTEC, a crosoft) to have all the details category. Developing one or on the Philips website (see Japanese computer OEM. As a nailed down. more Miras is a natural and Table 4 for the URL). The sec- result, the prototype was la- obvious direction for them. ond, a 15” main monitor mock- beled with the SOTEC brand. DT Research This 8.4” up, was shown at WinHEC. It’s SOTEC, on the other hand, has prototype, first shown at CeBIT, Philips Philips has shown two quite elegant in appearance, been identified by Microsoft as is based on the existing DT Mira prototypes, both of which and quite thin. It would look only building “Mira-enabled Research WebDT 380 webpad. appear to be based on new great on the coffee table. PCs” (a Windows XP Pro PC DT Research has been building development. The first, a work- with integrated WiFi wireless), webpads and thin clients for ing 10.4” mobile monitor, was Tatung This 10.4” prototype, not Mira monitors, so it’s un-

ViewSonic Mira prototype TriGem Fermata Tatung prototype Philips Mira prototype

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clear who will finally brand this areas for possible Mira en- on wired networks, the Winterm grated, low-cost “super CPU” really cool product. hancements in V2 include the 3200LE. Street price of this called Xileon. It includes both a ability to use the product away product as of May 2002 is 300 MHz MIPS CPU (supported ViewSonic ViewSonic has from the home (e.g., at a public around $350. Jeff McNaught by Windows CE .Net) and a shown two Mira-related prod- wireless hotspot), more support says that his target for the Mira complete video processor that ucts. The first, a prototype 15” for standalone applications, version of this product is less handles AV streaming (MPEG- main monitor, is the poster-child enhanced audio input and than $300. 2), Direct-X/3D graphics, dual prototype. It was in the initial improved administration. If you add the $300 for the display with picture-in-picture, Mira announcement at CES, it Mira version of the 3200LE to TV output, etc. This super-CPU appears in Microsoft’s Mira Additional the current $400 average street could be used as the core of a concept video, and Bill Gates is Form Factors price of a name-brand 15” LCD Mira V2 device, or of an “AV holding it in the Mira publicity Concurrency may change the monitor, and throw in $50 for a node” device. photos. The second product Mira usage picture substantial- good keyboard and mouse, the isn’t a prototype, it’s a real ly. In addition to enabling the total is $750. Why not buy a Summary product. Called the AirPanel use of multiple mobile monitors second PC for the same money? Mira V1’s primary advantage is 100, it’s a “pre-Mira” wireless simultaneously anywhere in the The answer’s the same as mobility. It extends the use of a monitor product based on View- house, it allows additional above. It depends on what your home PC to any room, while Sonic’s current webpad, the stationary Miras to be located goals are for home computing, avoiding the hassles of manag- ViewPad 100. According to (for example) in the kids’ bed- and how much money, time and ing multiple computers. For Marc McConnaughey, View- rooms. Concurrency changes effort you want to spend man- some home PC owners, this may Sonic’s Senior Vice President of the single-user home PC into a aging multiple home computers. be a substantial advantage. The Advanced Technologies, the “residential server”, without all Finally, going one step fur- primary challenge that AirPanel 100 was developed to the complexity of a true server ther, Microsoft proposes that Microsoft and the Mira OEMs explore the concept and estab- operating system. (The licensing Mira hardware could be embed- face is the out-of-box-experi- lish the legitimacy of the wire- issue of whether multiple users ded in a flat-screen TV or in a ence. Installing and configuring less monitor. It’s a form of can share a single copy of an presentation projector. In both the WiFi wireless (and possibly market development. ViewSonic application on the PC is an cases, the devices can be a broadband connection) must is more aggressive and quicker- entirely separate issue.) Mi- considered displays in a differ- be made foolproof and extreme- moving than many OEMs; quick- crosoft has already proposed ent form-factor. Adding Mira ly simple. The two main limita- ly bringing a wireless monitor two additional Mira form factors hardware turns them into wire- tions of Mira V1 are that only product to market for the know- that could be argued only make less displays. This may be a one Mira can be used at a time, ledge to be gained from it is sense with concurrency. case of technology looking for a and that it doesn’t support full- typical of their style. The first is called a “remote problem to solve, but it’s an motion video or 3D games. station.” It’s basically a 15" interesting idea. Microsoft intends to eliminate Wyse Technology This 15” desktop LCD monitor with the both of these limitations in Mira prototype, first shown at CeBIT, Mira hardware integrated inside Audio-Visual V2. Another significant limitation is based on the existing Wyse (without a touch screen). Wyse Streaming of Mira V1 is that it requires XP 3630LE Winterm (Windows- already makes a very similar The second major enhancement Professional on the PC; Mi- based terminal). Unlike any of product designed for use on in Mira V2 is audio-visual (AV) crosoft is working on ways of the other prototypes, this one is wired networks, the Winterm streaming. This is the ability to reducing the cost impact of non-mobile. It’s in a form factor 3630LE. Street price of this view full-motion video and listen upgrading from XP Home. Mira that hasn’t been mentioned so product as of May 2002 is to high-quality audio on the will cost between $500 and far in this article – Microsoft around $1,150. Jeff McNaught, Mira, as well as play 3D games. $800, with mobile monitors (8.4" calls it a “remote station.” Vice-President of Market Strat- AV streaming is a fundamental and 10.4") at the lower end and egy at Wyse Technology, says part of Microsoft’s Connected main monitors (15") at the upper Mira Version 2 (V2) that his target for the Mira Home vision (see the “Connect- end. Overall, Mira V1 is a good Mira V2 is targeted to include version of this product is less ed Home” sidebar for more start on a multi-year develop- concurrency (multiple simulta- than $1,000. information). Adding AV stream- ment program. Unless the con- neous users) and streaming AV The second proposed form ing to a Mira generally means cept totally bombs in 2002, we (audio-visual) support. Accord- factor is called a “remote termi- adding an MPEG decoder chip can look forward to increasingly ing to Aubrey Edwards, Mi- nal.” This is simply the Mira (DSP), which adds cost. capable new Miras every crosoft’s desire is to ship a new hardware in a small box with no Alternatively, instead of Christmas. version of Mira every year in display and no battery. It’s adding another chip, it’s possi- Based in Silicon Valley, Geoff Walker is a consultant with Walker Mobile, LLC. time for Christmas. However, meant to be used with new or ble to include support for AV Geoff has worked on the engineering and Microsoft never commits to a V2 existing monitors and streaming in a new CPU. At marketing of pen computers since 1989 date until V1 is out the door, so keyboards. Again Wyse Tech- WinHEC, ATI (one of the two top at GRiD Systems, Fujitsu Personal Systems (now Fujitsu PC) and Hand- it is unknown if the 2003 Mira nology already makes a very vendors of video controllers) spring. He can be contacted at will be V1.5 or V2. Some other similar product designed for use announced a new, highly inte- [email protected].

www.pencomputing.com MIRA July 2002