Pen Style Personal Computer

Look closely and guess what they could be… Are they pens with cameras? No, much better than that:


A possible next step in personal computer technology, this is an experimental product called the P-ISM, described by NEC designers as a “Pen-style Personal Networking Gadget Package.” (By the way, “pismo” means a written letter in Russian… are these Japanese scientists secretly studying Russian language?) A prototype of the system, which cost a reported $30,000 to build, was unveiled at ITU Telecom World in 2003.



The concept is outlined as follows on the NEC Design Web site:
“P-ISM is a “pen-computer” package including five functions: a pen-style cellular phone with a handwriting data input, virtual keyboard, a very small projector, camera scanner, and personal ID key with cashless pass function. P-ISMs are connected with one another through short-range wireless technology. The whole set is also connected to the Internet through the cellular phone function. This personal gadget in a minimalist pen style enables the ultimate ubiquitous computing.”
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