Life becomes easier with smaller gadgets.

• Position: Science & Technology - Brief Article

Palm-size computers and special-purpose devices will continue to flourish in the near future, forecasts Allen Parrish, associate professor of computer science and director of the CARE Research and Development Laboratory at the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa.

The market for new technologies such as Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) will rise as people look to computers to aid in daily tasks like making dining reservations or ordering in restaurants. "For example, servers could make greater use of handheld computers in placing orders for you or there may be restaurants where you can order on your own PDA," he notes. "Voice input is going to become popular on PDAs."

Parrish believes that computers will assume a different shape in order to increase function. These smaller, lighter units will give people greater ability to read e-mail in public places without needing a dial-up connection. "Wearable computers that do different kinds...