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Smart Display

Smart Displays are windows to your PC  

First there were laptop computers. Then laptops of assorted sizes. In November 2002, Microsoft introduced tablet computers from a number of different hardware vendors. In January 2003 Microsoft is again behind the introduction of Smart Displays, yet another category of portable screen based computing thingie. Conceptually, it's a monitor with a very long cord. 

David Pogue wrote about the first Smart Display (from ViewSonic) in the New York Times on January 2, 2003. And Now, the Portable Desktop PC, Up to a Point.  He doesn't like the concept. 

• He says "...the Smart Display needs improvement in only two departments: software and hardware." 
• It only works with a computer running Windows XP Pro. 
• He says: "the screen is very slow to repaint itself when you scroll, even if your PC is a superfast $3,000 screamer."  
• He says: "Answering e-mail or even typing "www.amazon.com" into your Web browser, using the on-screen keyboard or Microsoft's imperfect handwriting-recognition system, are exercises in frustration."
• He says it turns "into an expensive hors d'oeuvres tray the minute you take it beyond the property line."  
• If someone uses the real computer, the person using the Smart Display is "bumped" 
• The wireless connection is too slow to transmit either audio or video 

He thinks including Windows XP pro is a nice gesture. To me, this is adding salt to a wound. Upgrading a computer from an older version of Windows to XP is a major undertaking. It will consume hours of time, is likely to fail and not something for non-techies to attempt.  

Most damning of all is the fact that Smart Displays don't make any sense. Mr. Pogue points out they will sell for $1,000 to $1,400 more than the cost of a low end laptop computer. He notes that a real laptop computer can be used in a manner similar to the Smart Display, which is remote control of another machine via a WiFi connection. This is true.  

He fails to point out that remote control can be done using any version of Windows, not just XP professional, with free software from Microsoft called NetMeeting.  

PC Magazine reviewed the first Smart Display in the February 4, 2003 issue. ViewSonic Delivers Microsoft Smart Display. By Bill Howard. The review said that Smart Displays cost twice what most buyers are willing to pay and that the technology is not ready for prime time. Another gripe was that "using a Smart Display disables your home PC for others, or vice versa". Interestingly, the Smart Display runs Windows CE 4.1. 

PC panel to go. Microsoft's Smart Display needs a bit more time in the oven. By Mike Langberg San Jose Mercury News. January 9, 2003. The author calls Smart Displays "strikingly inadequate" and says "Microsoft could have introduced a worthwhile product if the company had the patience to resolve the Smart Display's obvious weaknesses". Like others, he noted that they are too expensive, a fact he blames on Microsoft because the first vendors are simply following Microsoft's hardware design. Mr. Langberg had two gripes I hadn't seen before: the Smart Display can't turn the computer on or off and can't be used to play computer games that depend on advanced video technology. He brought some excellent perspective to the issue of the required OS upgrade: "Microsoft put considerable energy two years ago into telling customers its new Windows XP Home Edition was ideal for consumers, while the more powerful and expensive Windows XP Professional Edition offered extras that only business users would need. Oops. It turns out the Smart Display requires a feature called ``remote desktop'' that's only available in Windows XP Pro."  

How smart is smart? Stephen Manes, January 20, 2003. Forbes Magazine Digital Tools Column. A flat-panel screen with a smidgen of intelligence--for the price of a full-fledged notebook. Note: you have to sign up for a free membership before you can view parts of the Forbes web site. Like other reviewers, Mr. Manes writes: "...for the Airpanel's $999 price you can buy a notebook with a fast processor, lots of memory, a DVD drive, a big screen, a decent pointing device and an ancient technology known as a 'keyboard'." He also points out that "just about" any networked PC can run an XP Pro machine remotely, but does not mention Net Meeting. The missing keyboard was his biggest gripe, but he also complained that the speaker does not play loud, that music occasionally breaks up and that warnings beep a couple seconds after errors appear on the screen. Finally, something no one else mentioned, he says that if the remote machine goes to sleep, the Smart Display can't wake it up. 

WOODY'S WINDOWS WATCH newsletter by Woody Leonhard and friends. February 6, 2003 issue Regarding the first go-round of Smart Displays he says: "Microsoft was pushing the highly implausible line that customers did not want video streaming on their displays! It was a position that surprised many people including those who work in Microsoft's Windows Media division..." The article says that in January 2003 Microsoft announced video streaming will be in the next version of the Smart Display and you are out of luck if you bought the first generation because there is no upgrade path. He accuses Microsoft of revisionist history by claiming that the first generation of Smart Displays were not a 'mass-market product'.  

Marketing teachers beware. This will go down with New Coke and Bob (also from Microsoft) as a major marketing disaster (my predication made January 2, 2003). I think this is a case of a company, Microsoft, that has lost touch. Considering they are run by the richest man in the world and the fifth richest man in the world (more or less), this is not surprising. On the other hand, it might be that their internal bureaucracy dictated shipping a product with such brutal flaws, but my money is on their losing touch with their customers.  

To add some perspective to Smart Displays, Zenith used to sell a conceptually similar device called the Cruisepad. Initially selling for $1,300 they could be had at www.computersurplusoutlet.com for $17.77 in January 2003. 

Microsoft Ditches Smart Displays  After only a year on the market, wireless terminals will be discontinued. IDG News Service January 5, 2004