THIS TIME two years ago everyone thought the Internet was going to be "the next big thing." They were wrong.
And while investors have been looking for the "next big thing" ever since it was right here, sitting in the corner of the living room.
Because "the next big thing" is actually the humble old TV screen.
Let me explain.
A gadget doesn't qualify for gadget status at the moment unless it has a colour monitor of some kind. Mobile phones will soon arrive fitted with colour screens, we are about to see a slew of hand-held games machines with them, demand for lap-tops is sky rocketing and then there's the Sony PS1.
The PS1 is the latest version of a PlayStation. It's exactly the same as the 32-bit games machine that came out five years ago, only about one third the size.
When unveiled, the PS1 Sony promised a LCD colour screen would be available from launch. The LCD screen would have PS1 the nearest anyone had come to a portable PlayStation.
Unfortunately, Sony was late out of the traps - but manufacturers in East Asia weren't.
They are busy snapping up as many colour TV screens as they can get their hands on and churning out tens of thousands of portable screens for the PS1.
The first of these gadgets has just gone on sale in the UK for around £99.
The ScreenStation attaches to the back of a PS1 and hinges above the lid. The four inch screen has integrated speakers either side for stereo sound. There is no socket for an external set of headphones.
We had a go with the ScreenStation and found it to be something of a mixed bag.
The "cool factor" of a portable PlayStation is massive. People just have to give it a go when they see the little TV screen sitting atop Sony's box.
Unfortunately the results are rather underwhelming. The screen isn't as sharp as a traditional telly and the image has to be viewed from the optimum angle or you can't see a thing. Many of the sound effects in loud games swamped the speakers, forcing me to turn them down to barely audible levels for distortion-free play.
A game of FIFA 2000 was almost impossible. The figures on the screen were too small for comfort and the fast moving action left trials and smearing.
Playing The World Is Not Enough - a first person perspective shoot 'em up - was easier and the action didn't make me feel nauseous as it does with a full-sized TV.
The ScreenStation is made by a company called Big Ben Interactive. It's a nifty gadget but not really worth the asking price of £100.
An alternative is available from Wild Things which sounds more promising. For an extra £30 you get more control over the picture, a headphones socket and inputs for an A/V signal so you could theoretically watch TV on it too. Wild Things also promises a portable battery pack so you can do without the need for a main supply.
Mini TV screens for the PS1 are causing a global shortage of colour LCDs. On the current evidence, I would say they are better used elsewhere.
ONE of the commonest programmes found on a PC these days is Microsoft Outlook. It's a powerful e-mail and information management tool. Most users only ever scratch the surface of its potential.
Troubleshooting Microsoft Outlook (£14.99) is a new book that aims to help beginners get the best out of the programme.
Laid out in a question-and-answer style, the book uses diagnostic flowcharts to identify the problem and find a solution. Simple language is used throughout and there's a wealth of handy tips for both Outlook and Outlook Express.
In America, where Internet access is truly free, thousands of people bank on-line. In this country on-line money management is still in its infancy but, if you have ever fancied having a dabble, then Microsoft has just the book.
Online Money Management by Karin Mueller takes you by the hand and guides you gently through the e-finance maze.
Along the way you'll find handy tips on how to make your savings work for you and the best way to do business over the Net.
Users of Microsoft Money will find the book particularly helpful but even if you don't have any financial software on your hard drive, Mueller's advice could be worth its weight in gold. What's more at just £14.99 this tome won't break the bank.
Both these books are available from PC World and all good computer book stores.
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