Palm VII offers wireless access, but only to site excerpts through Palm's Web clipping. Compaq Aero users can get an add-on WAP browser and cable to surf the Web by mobile phone. Palm V users can get Web clipping through an add-on. They won't necessarily offer wireless connectivity at launch, but they will soon, says Greg Huh, a Compaq product marketing manager. For example, he envisions a wearable device on which you could download and play music.
Some applications are practical.
Armed with your Web-enabled phone, you can land in a new city and immediately check weather forecasts and get directions to your hotel and a good restaurant. Sites with real-time information like stock quotes, schedules, and mapping may indeed become the nuts and bolts of the wireless Web. Anxious for a slice of the wireless pie, major Internet portals are partnering with carriers and handset makers to offer shortcuts to sites. This week, America Online announced Sprint PCS and BellSouth will put one-button AOL access on some Nokia and Motorola phones. Microsoft cut a similar deal with Nextel and AirTouch, so you can check your Hotmail or surf MSN through those services.