I promised you the secret of making it big in the handheld world. In my new program, by following these simple guidelines, we can push ourselves into a new era of computing and avoid the dot-com dilemma.

Pixel of Light #1: Create real-world solutions using current technology.

My problem with technology, is all too often companies are developing products based on purchasing demographics instead of real-world needs. They invent the technology and then throw millions into marketing to invent the need. I have seen enough of this and it makes my stomach turn. I don't want to see another e-mail Internet Appliance for grandma, for little Johnny, Sweet 16 Cindy, the 60 year-old executive or the stay-at-home soccer mom. Any difference between my need and their need can be addresses by focused development on existing platforms, not gimmicky devices with a 3 month product life.

Pixel of Light #2: Let necessity drive the market, not whimsy.

Once the technology works, then you are allowed to make it in neon colors. Thank you Handspring for not releasing a device that capitalized on cute first and function second. Handspring has my permission to make the Visor out of sponge or corkboard or 100% platinum for all I care, because I know it will at least work right.

*Note: If Handspring makes a model out of sponge, corkboard or platinum I want it to be on the record that it was my idea.

 Pixel of Light #3: Wantware or Needware?

A toaster doesn't need software to toast. A match doesn't need software to burn. However, take the software out of a handheld computing device and it isn't even a decent coaster. The problem with the Internet is that there were a lot of companies developing Wantware and not Needware. Let's not make the same mistakes. Sure, I think it is cool to develop video streaming technology for handhelds, but that is Wantware. What I need is to be able to stream data I collect with my handheld to another location.

A good example of Wantware out of control are these new Internet developments in smell technology, or the ability to smell a website with software and a little scent device attached to your computer (folks, I can't make this stuff up). Is this really necessary? Their mission is to give us humans back the ability to communicate using smell. I'll make you a deal, once you lock down grammar, then you can move to smell, taste and touch. This is a great example of Wantware gone bad. What I need is for you to fix Java script errors and compatibility issues. What I don't need is to smell some plumber's personal website.

I want everyone to start thinking of what Needware solutions will take us forward in handheld computing. I want you to jab the programmer next to you in the ribs. Once you have his attention, tell him what you need. Then I want the programmer to build it.

 Pixel of Light #4: MWW (Make Wireless Work).

How many years did it take us to decide on cellular as a standard, while other countries invested in digital? Then when we switched over, we developed a digital system that couldn't talk to the European/Asian system. Now we have a mix of cellular phones that don't work with digital phones and digital phones that just don't work at all. We have this American patchwork quilt of wireless service that only works in your own little coverage areas (areas I never seem to go to). Didn't we learn enough from the cellular fiasco to come up with a better roll-out plan for wireless? We are just jumping out there once again with 10 different competing technologies that no one can agree on. HEY, I JUST WANT IT TO WORK! I want a lame-duck session for the wireless industry and you can't go home until you can all learn to play together.