2. Bluetooth
Bluetooth is the near-area wireless networking technology that's all the rage (and still not deployed). While I think Bluetooth is interesting, consumers won't--at least not in 2001. It'll be too expensive, and the first uses of Bluetooth will be of the "Why the heck did they think that was interesting?" nature.

3. Price
I predict 2001 will herald the introduction of the first under $100 Palm OS device. Expect such a device to have substantial trade-offs to make the price possible. Certainly, there won't be a cradle. We can expect this device to use the least expensive materials and possibly be a bit bulkier than the more expensive devices.

4. Major PC manufacturer
Right now, some of the major PC manufacturers (like HP and Compaq) are shipping Pocket PC devices. Yet others (like Dell and Gateway) are selling Palm devices. But no major PC manufacturer (except for Sony) has built a Palm OS device of its own unique design. (IBM doesn't count since the WorkPad isn't a new design.) In 2001, I predict we'll see Dell, Compaq, HP, or Gateway (or, wild shot, Apple) introduce a Palm device with unique design elements. Side prediction: Pocket PC sales still won't grow all that much, although it'll reach a plateau of about 20% of the handheld market.

5. Multifunction Springboard modules
Handspring has already shown some Springboard modules that do basic voice recording and play MP3s. But in 2001, we'll start to see some multifunction modules that will do both, as well as support some form of Compact Flash or Smart Media, all in one module. We'll also see modules that integrate telephony and wireless Web access. Bonus: a few more Springboard modules announced in 1999 and 2000 will actually ship in 2001.

6. Voice recognition
Viable voice recognition and dictation won't be available on Palm devices. That's it. That's the whole prediction. Get over it. Move on to my next prediction.

7. Automotive integration (eh, again?)
OK, here we go again. Now, to the Palm OS community, automotive integration may be somewhat new. But we covered this stuff when we had our Windows CE publication. The AutoPC was a great idea that was too darn expensive and implemented with whacked-out tradeoffs. For example, it had a CD player but no way to play tapes, so if you wanted to listen to books on tape, you were out of luck. And the basic entry-level device was over $1,500. Now we're seeing that Palm and Delphi Automotive Systems have formed a partnership and announced the Communiport Mobile Productivity Center, which will give drivers hands-free access to Palm V series devices and certain Ericsson phones. They've also invested in a start-up called MobileAria that plans to develop a new, hands-free mobile Internet service platform for the automobile. Don't these people ever learn?

It's not going to work. See, here's the problem. If you develop a comprehensive, fully functional wireless device, like a souped-up Palm VII, it can be used whether you're in the car or on the beach. It doesn't need to be designed just for the car. And if you develop a voice-activated device to dial your phone for you, it's unnecessary, since cell phones and specialty services can do that now. And if you develop a device that monitors your car, only car-monitoring geeks will care. And if you develop a GPS solution specifically designed to be mounted in a car, it won't be any better than GPS solutions that are now available for Palm devices. I love gadgets. I wish there was a specially integrated, ultra-cool car device, just so I could buy it. But I predict that there won't be, coolness will be sadly lacking, and no one will care. Sorry guys.