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Internet appliance

An Internet appliance is a consumer device whose main function is easy access to Internet services such as WWW or e-mail. The term was popularized in the 1990s, when it somewhat overlapped in meaning with an information appliance, desktop computer, network computer, or even thin client, but now it has fallen out of general use.

Internet appliances were contrasted with any general purpose computer, but unlike personal computers, internet appliances were low cost and low margin products, usually using highly optimised low power silicon specifically built for internet use. Modern smart phones and tablet computers do approximately the same things, but are more powerful, more successful in the market, and generally not classified as Internet appliances.

History

Internet appliances were promoted by a variety of technology companies during the 1990s but, as the price of full-featured computers dropped, never met the market expectations. Jim Louderback would later describe the concept as one of the "eight biggest tech flops ever".

An Internet tablet is a type of a mobile Internet appliance. Examples include the Sony Airboard and the Nokia Internet Tablet series (including the Nokia N900).

Early in the 21st century a new breed of household devices, such as Vonage Internet Phones, PenguinRadio's Internet radio, and IPTV boxes, began to use the broadband connections in PC-independent ways.

Notable devices

Current

  • aigo MID
  • Chromebook
  • Litl Webbook
  • MailBug
  • Personal Internet Communicator

Discontinued

  • 3Com Audrey
  • Amstrad E-mailer
  • CIDCo Mivo/MailStation
  • Compaq
  • ePod
  • GlobalPC
  • i-Opener
  • MSN Companion
  • MSN TV
  • New Internet Computer
  • Nokia 770 Internet Tablet
  • Nokia N800
  • Nokia N810
  • Nokia N900
  • Pepper Pad
  • Sony Airboard
  • Sony eVilla
  • Sony Mylo
  • Virgin Webplayer
  • VTech Companion

References

References

  1. Bergman, Eric. (2000). "Information Appliances and Beyond (Interactive Technologies)". Morgan Kaufmann.
  2. (1998). "The business internet and intranets: a manager's guide to key terms and concepts". Harvard Business School Press.
  3. [http://www.techworld.com.au/article/366537/sony_10_greatest_tech_flops/#closeme Martyn Williams 02 November, 2010] Sony's ten biggest flops, Techworld.com.au
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