In response to the proliferation of TLAs (Three Letter
Acronyms), the electronics industry is rolling out a new generation of FLAs
(Four Letter Acronyms).
For example, Clarion has introduced the MiND (Mobile Internet
Navigation Device) concept product. MiND is yet another splendid example of hyper-connectivity.
A MiND will have built-in touchscreen, WiFi, WiMAX, Bluetooth, and GPS. It will
provide navigation, traffic information, media player, internet browser to
selected sites, hands-free phone when paired with a Bluetooth phone, camera, high-resolution
display, email, flash music payer, image viewer, widget, etc, etc, etc. A MiND
could be used at home, in a vehicle, or as a handheld. Reportedly the MiND will
be available in September for $800 or so.
The interesting point: If you think you’re addicted to your
iPod or Crackberry, just you wait. Small boxes are going to get even more
indispensable. They will consolidate just about everything you can’t live
without. These electronic miracles will be wildly popular . . until they’re
obsoleted and replaced by FLAs (Five Letter Acronyms), that is.
—Ken C. Pohlmann
