Internet appliance

Also called "information appliance," "smart appliance," and "Web appliance," it is a device specialized for accessing the Web and/or e-mail. Designed for ease of use, it plugs into a telephone jack or LAN connection for Internet hookup. Portable Internet appliances use a wireless connection to the Internet. Devices for Internet TV services such as MSN TV are also sometimes called Internet appliances. The term is rather encompassing, and innovative products are expected all the time. See digital picture frame, network appliance, server appliance, Internet TV, network computer and smartphone.

Surf the Web

Introduced in 2000, this was one of the first Linux-based machines dedicated to Web access only. It had no disk drives, and files were stored on the Internet. (Image courtesy of The New Internet Computer Company)

E-Mail Appliance

One of the first e-mail only devices, the Postbox Express provided instant on e-mail in a seven-ounce device that fit in your pocket. It plugged into a standard telephone jack. (Image courtesy of VTech Communications, www.vtech.com)

Cellphone Surfing

Access stock quotes, e-mail and other Internet information by dialing up your cellphone. Many expect that the smartphone will be the most ubiquitous Internet appliance. (Image courtesy of Motorola, Inc.)

A Bizarre Internet Appliance
In the spring of 2003, the U.K. division of Microsoft announced to an astonished world the "iLoo," a portable toilet with a wireless keyboard and access to the MSN network. In England, street-side public restrooms are typically a whole lot cleaner than those in the U.S.; that is, "if" you can find one. But, who on earth would want to touch a keyboard in such a venue considering the job of its occupants? In addition, there were rumors about printing Web advertising on the toilet paper. Quickly shelved after the announcement was made, most everyone hearing it thought Microsoft had lost its senses. Some swear this was just a prank to call attention to the local MSN service. By the way, "loo" is British for "toilet."

The iLoo

This is an artist's rendering of Microsoft's picture of the iLoo, which was printed in various newspapers at that time.