Monday, May 19, 2003		Feature

Microsoft’s Chad Magendanz shows a new PC prototype. The prototype was developed with HP and is codenamed Athens. The computer merges all forms of communication, including next generation voice, video and text messaging.

MICROSOFT'S 12th annual Windows Hardware Engineering Conference (WinHEC) this week brought long-sought revelations like "Athens" prototype PC co-developed with Hewlett-Packard.

Athens features a 20-inch, high-density display, and a single cable connecting the display and the CPU that carries both data connections and power. It also has a Bluetooth transceiver that drives a rechargeable wireless keyboard (it recharges on the base), wireless mouse, and a cordless phone directly integrated with the machine.

The integrated phone allows Athens to identify callers with caller ID, while simultaneously pulling up any background information on the caller stored on the machine or online, all emails in the user’s inbox from the caller, etc. The user could also take notes that are stored on the computer’s schedule and the machine will mark the call on the calendar. The computer can also be set to mute music when a call comes in, set an instant messaging client status to "On the Phone," or automatically forward a call to another phone.