Wireless World: 'Black hole' of convergence

CHICAGO, April 21 (UPI) -- For decades, it seems, esteemed techno-sages have been touting the coming of "convergence." Personal computers were said to be poised to merge with home stereo systems -- back in the 1980s. Then set-top boxes were said to be ready to overtake PCs at home. None of that has ever, even remotely, come close to happening.

But, experts are telling United Press International's Wireless World, the technology dreamers shifted their soft focus, subtly, during this decade to the mobile phone, and, all of a sudden, their predictions of convergence are starting to come true. Mobile phones are being combined with computers to make smart phones. Video and picture applications are being brought to these personal digital assistants, like the Sprint PPC-6700, among others. Mobile phones have become a black hole of sorts -- in a good way -- drawing all manner of technology with their gravitational pull. "Two-way walkie talkies, Web browsing, e-mail, e-commerce, instant text messaging, games, music, photos, videos, TV shows, even full-length feature films," a spokesperson for dotPhoto, a wireless technology developer, told Wireless World. By Gene Koprowski