Analysts predict a mobile future

Analysts agreed the wireless internet would influence the mobile future but they also said there are a number of fronts that need to be addressed.

Synchronisation, security and overheating are areas not even close to being solved, the analysts said. Privacy issues will also become more prevalent during the next two to three years.

During a panel discussion on industry trends at the Spring Comdex show, Gib Carey, vice president of Bain & Company, said it would be four to five years before there is a huge amount of confidence in users' daily lives and before wireless is widely available on PDAs and laptops.

He said Europe would be first in delivery, followed by Asia and the US.

Tim Bajarin, president of Creative Strategies Consulting, said the PC will continue to be a big driver over the next 18 months and that Microsoft's XP will have a significant impact. "The Palm and PocketPC will continue to gain acceptance," he said.

Bajarin said the laptop will take on more significance in IT, and the PDA and mobile phone will continue to merge. He expects to see a plethora of devices on the market shortly.

Lawrence Lerner, president of the Association of Internet Professionals, pointed out there has been a lot more integration of business services in the past five years. "This will continue in the laptop and PDA markets as well," Lerner said.

Michael Booth, director of Global Marketing and Research, CompTIA, moderated the panel that also included Katherine Gehl, special assistant for technology to the mayor of Chicago.

Gehl highlighted the Government's interest in protecting consumer's privacy and security.