Internet Appliances
Internet appliances complement a personal computer rather than try to replace it. If we define an Internet appliance as any special function device that connects to the Internet, you can see the broad range of devices that can be considered Internet appliances:
- Cell phones with Internet connectivity for limited Web browsing and e-mail
- Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) with e-mail and Web browsing capabilities
- Set-top boxes that add Internet connectivity to your television
- Video game systems that include connectivity to multiplayer online games
- Educational toys that can be updated by connecting to a computer, then downloading new games or quizzes
- Portable MP3 players that connect to your PC to download MP3 music files (like a Walkman® for MP3s)
Internet appliances were originally defined as limited function computers that would let consumers connect to the Internet and receive e-mail without the expense of a full service computer. However, these devices proved to be too expensive for too little functionality, and consumers weren't interested. Today, Internet appliances are more focused on a single purpose, and their prices are much lower.
