Net appliances typically shave cost and complexity by ditching floppy disks, CDs and other PC add-ons. On Tuesday, 3Com introduced Audrey, a slick appliance created for the kitchen or living room and able to synchronize data with a Palm handheld computer. Compaq recently started shipping the iPaq Home Internet Appliance , the first from several makers to be built around the Microsoft Network. Before year's end, America Online and Gateway plan to bring out next-generation appliances featuring ''Instant AOL'' and running the compact Transmeta Crusoe processor . Qubit Technology is testing promising magazine-size wireless Web tablets that let users roam the house and surf at high speed.
Distribution is planned through financial-service partners.
A senior-friendly Bellevue, Wash., Internet provider, SAGEport , is the first to announce plans to deliver the Intel Dot. Station this year. No price yet. This thing is pretty reliable. The PC is not going away,'' says Tim Bajarin of the Creative Strategies consulting firm.