Pocketsize computer "bricks"

The pocketsize computer brick is called a MetaPad. The MetaPad, still a prototype, packs the entire guts of an 800 megahertz laptop, with 10 megabytes of storage, into a package about 3 inches by 5 inches and less than one inch thick. The device has enough computing power to run Windows XP, create 3-D graphics, handle book-size documents and do anything a laptop can do. It's missing however, a screen, a keyboard, a mouse and a power supply.

The idea is to separate the computer and storage from the way it's used. The MetaPad is portable and meant to be carried. At work, a docking station with a screen, keyboard and mouse would sit on your desk. You'd place your MetaPad brick into a slot and the screen would spring to life! Presumably, you'd have a similar docking station at home.

Both IBM, creators of the MetaPad, and Xybernaut, wearable computer maker, share the same vision. Docking stations would be everywhere - hotel rooms, airport gates, college dorms and meeting rooms. And there's more to the concept. The block would be able to plug into all sorts of things; your car to play MP3 music files or to call up Yahoo maps that have been saved; airlines could put connectors at each seat with the use of the seatback screen as a monitor.

None of this stuff is available yet and probably won't be for a long time as there is sure to be patent fights and wars over standards. If the concept does go far, freeing computing from its enclosures might pave the way for something huge as the credit card did when it separated money from the physical currency.

3W Studios welcomes Samantha Gomez

3W Studios is pleased to introduce our newest associate, Samantha Gomez. Samantha joins our team in the design department at our Tallahassee location. Samantha hails originally from New Mexico, and brings with her a wealth of design experience in both digital and traditional media.

Samantha will be assisting in the service of many of our existing accounts so you can expect to be meeting her soon. She can be reached at 850-878-6663 ext. 24 or 800-232-4071 ext. 24.

Internet Access is Booming

Source: Internet Magazine

Half a billion people had Internet access at home by the end of 2001, according to figures from Nielsen//Netratings. Asians are taking up the Internet faster than anywhere else, with 5.6 per cent more people using the Net at home in the last quarter of 2001 compared to the previous quarter. Singaporeans are the most active Internet users, with 60 percent of households able to connect to the Net. South Korea and Hong Kong followed closely behind. In Europe, growth was at 4.9 per cent in the last quarter, followed by the US (3.5 percent) and Latin America (3.3 percent).

2002 Tallahassee Tech Summit

3W Studios is proud to sponsor the 2002 Tallahassee Tech Summit, May 2nd.

Broadband accounts for more than half of US online hours

Source: NetRatings

Broadband Internet usage has outperformed narrowband for the first time in the US because of its always-on nature. In January 2002, broadband usage accounted for 1.19 billion online hours, or 51 per cent of the 2.3 billion hours spent online. Broadband accounted for only 38 percent of the total time spent online in January 2001.

"Broadband usage has hit mainstream, with time spent online by broadband surfers passing the critical 50 percent benchmark," said Jarvis Mak, analyst for NetRatings, which reported the figures.

While Britain still lags behind, 21.9 million Americans accessed broadband Internet at home last January.

"The growth and development of broadband will create a more interactive and robust online experience, impacting e-commerce, streaming media and overall Internet content," said Mak.

3W Studios Takes League Title

3W Studios, our namesake team in the Warner Super Six league, Tallahassee, has won their second Over-30's league title in three seasons. The team hung on to a 3-2 half-time lead through a tense but scoreless second half to take the championship.