The document discusses the convergence of computing and communications technologies and the proliferation of computing power. It describes several terms used to describe this movement including ubiquitous computing, pervasive computing, and distributed computing. It introduces the concept of "wearable" computers, which refers not only to devices that can be worn but also to supporting portable and mobile computing through connectivity to other devices and networks.

1. By Michael P. Binko
F
rom the days of vacuum tubes and punched
cards, paper tape and control panel switches,
man has had an insatiable thirst for comput-
er power. Similarly, from the days of signal fires
and drums, the pony express and the telegraph, he
has had an insatiable thirst for communications.
We are moving into an era during which both
needs are being satisfied to a very major extent.
Progress in computing and communications has
accelerated so fast over the past few decades that
this convergence, in a very natural way, is now
being employed by human beings in very creative
and much more efficient manner.
There are many terms being used to describe
this movement, this proliferation of computing
power taking place today. They include ubiqui-
tous computing, pervasive computing, edge of
network computing, embedded computing, dis-
tributed computing and user-supported comput-
ing. All have some degree of relevance and some
differentiation as they deal with the computing de-
vices themselves, the architecture to which they
interface or the communications protocols in
place to support this proliferation.
Welcome to the age of the “wearable” comput-
er, though we do not limit the concept to “wear-
ing” a computer.
The concept must extend to supporting a wear-
By Sean Cassidy,
COMDEX Chicago Editor
S
ecurity is on everyone’s mind these days,
whether its biometrics for transporta-
tion, anti-virus software for the home or
office desktop or securing networks for the en-
terprise. COMDEX Chicago 2002 is offering a
slew of security-related exhibitors on the show
floor, as well as the International Security &
Biometrics Summit, which focuses on info se-
curity and contingency management and in-
cludes a biometrics exhibitor showcase.
Custom hardware and software services
provider Vanteon (Booth #2310) arrives at the
show with a new partnership for 2002 with
fingerprint biometrics company SecuGen.
Vanteon aims to provide SecuGen with the
ability to work with clients who are infusing,
or seeking to infuse, biometrics capabilities
into their software or hardware, systems, ap-
plications or firmware.
Last year, Vanteon integrated a biometric
fingerprint retrieved from a SecuGen Optical
Mouse and attached it to a digital certificate,
therefore limiting use of the mouse to the
person whose fingerprint matches the re-
trieved print.
NetScreen Technologies’ (Booth #2512)
NetScreen-Remote 7.0 is an upgrade to its VPN
deployment and management software. V.7.0 is
Jim Basillie is Chairman and co-CEO of Research
in Motion (RIM), developers of the BlackBerry
hand-held device. He recently spoke with
COMDEX Chicago Editor Sean Cassidy about the
full-blown arrival of 2.G (wireless technology as-
sociated with global system for mobile [GSM]
service) and the state of the economy.
COMDEX: The advent of a slew of 2.5G devices
is likely to put some pressure on Blackberry, which
has until now enjoyed a relatively uncrowded field
of competition. What is RIM doing to address the
new playing field and retain market share?
Basillie: I would say the advent 2.5G is a dra-
matic improvement of our market position be-
cause of the extent to which its now bringing
packet to a broad number of networks through-
out the world. I can only see it in a positive
context.
COMDEX: BlackBerry claims to offer a sig-
nificant ROI by potentially replacing laptops for
those who need limited functionality. How is
the company trying to expand the uses of the
Blackberry device in the near future to increase
its role as a laptop substitute?
Basillie: The two main disruptors in the in-
dustry now are 2.5G and the proliferation of
Java as the standard platform for wireless. Once
you make these devices a platform it lets you
have packet communications everywhere; the
ability to take the value proposition higher is
very straight forward in terms of what you can
do with an elegantly implemented Java plat-
form. Quite simply, we have a couple hundred
primary ISVs we partner with, and you can re-
ally just do more and more with a richer plat-
form, including querying, apps connected to
ERP apps, gaming, transactions, better graphics,
RIM’s Basillie speaks on 2.5G
standard, e-mobility revolution
P R E S E N T S
THE DAILY Tuesday, March 5
Sanjay Kumar
President and CEO,
Computer Associates
9–10 a.m.
Dean Douglas
General Manager,
Wireless eBusiness,
IBM Global Services
Noon–1 p.m.
T O D AY ’ S
K E Y N O T E S
All keynotes take place in the Vista Room.
Jim Basillie
Chairman
and co-CEO,
RIM BlackBerry
3–4 p.m.
Security apps take center stage
at COMDEX Chicago
(continued on page 30)
WHAT’S INSIDE
Take a spin with Mercedes . . . .page 6
Q&A with CA’s Kumar . . . . . . . .page 13
(continued on page 30)
Wearable computers arrive
Communications and productivity meet on common ground
Military applications are just one possible use for wearable
computers such as this Xybernaut device.(continued on page 5)
It’s not too late to attend Education
Programs, visit Registration area for info.