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DIGITAL DINOSAURS
The only thing more dangerous than making predictions is printing them. Undaunted, we select five digital dinosaurs that we believe will be extinct by 2002.
• A GREAT MANY DOTCOMS
Much as we love it, Kozmo, the under-an-hour Web-messenger service didn't deliver profits in '99. This year its ceo stepped down, layoffs were announced and its ipo was postponed. How much longer can dotcoms keep losing money?
• VCRs
Children of the '80s say the vcr and cable TV changed their lives. Wait till they see dvds and "smart TV" in the form of TiVo and ReplayTV players that let you stop live action. Video will go the way of the eight-track tape.
• CD-ROMs
More people than ever will download new software from the Net, spelling the end of CD-ROM software delivery. Most new computers now ship with dvd players. Good-bye, CD-ROM — your name was geeky, anyway.
• POCKET PCs
The bells, whistles and MP3 players that come with Pocket PCs are flashy, but who really needs 'em? Pocket PCs grabbed only 10% of the handheld market this year. With the colorful Visor and hip Sony CLIE finding new customers, the future is grim for
anything that doesn't run Palm OS.
• WIRED HOMES
Who needs wires when your appliances can communicate through the air? With the advent of Bluetooth technology, wireless and personal area network (pan) will be the new catchphrases in home construction.
