IP: A FIGHT FOR ACCESS TO HOMES COOKING BETWEEN AOL, MICROSOFT from Edupage

[Dave Farber <farber () cis upenn edu>]

AOL and Microsoft are rushing to release their next-generation
Internet gadgets that will enable people to connect online from
anywhere in the home with home appliances, televisions, and
mobile phones. AOL plans to sell technology by the end of the
year that can hook onto a kitchen counter and connect to the
Internet without a personal computer. AOL also offers a wireless
Web pad as a low-cost alternative to the desktop computer for
connecting to the Internet, although the Web pad lacks some of
the regular PC capabilities. Microsoft has developed the Pocket
PC and the Web Companion, which connect to the Internet using the
Internet Explorer browser. The Pocket PC handheld was set to be
released on April 19. Web Companions offer a series of small
screens and keyboards that allow first-time Internet users to go
online from any room in the house. Although neither of these
companies were the first to develop next-generation devices, it
is expected that their huge customer bases will boost the market
considerably. Both AOL and Microsoft have increased competition
in interactive television as well, providing subscribers with
Internet access through set-top boxes. (Philadelphia Inquirer, 20 April
2000)