Smart Displays Launch

The first Windows-Powered Smart Displays (formerly code-named Mira) became available on Jan. 8, almost exactly one year after they were announced. Smart Displays are portable, flat-panel monitors which accept input from a stylus and use a built-in 802.11b wireless connection to connect to a PC. The first Smart Displays will likely be a niche product, as consumers must pay a US$1,000 premium for the devices, cannot use them with a second monitor at the same time, and cannot use them for certain functions, such as watching video. Microsoft plans technical improvements and hopes lower prices will eventually spur mainstream adoption.

Improvements Planned

Unlike the similar-looking Tablet PC, Smart Displays have minimal local storage and are not a substitute for a notebook computer. Rather, when docked, they work as a flat-panel monitor. But when undocked, users can enter data via a stylus and touch-sensitive screen; this data is then transferred over the wireless network to the PC. Manufacturers plan at least two form factors for Smart Displays: a 15-inch size to be used as both a primary monitor and a removable display, and a 10-inch size to be used as a secondary display alongside a conventional one.