ViewSonic puts wireless screens on display

Viewsonic will offer its airPanel V110 and V150 Smart Displays in the first quarter of 2003. The V110 is a 10-inch secondary display meant to complement the primary display people already use with their home PC.

The V150 is a 15-inch primary display device, meant to replace the existing display. The 15-inch version includes a docking station so the display can be mounted in front of the PC for desktop use.

Both products include a copy of Windows XP Professional and a USB-based wireless networking adapter, both of which are required by the Smart Display technology. The V110 will retail for approximately US $1000, while the V150 will cost about US$1300.

Microsoft and ViewSonic said the Smart Displays would be available at major online retailers.

Going forward, Windows Powered Smart Displays will evolve into remote terminals for businesses and homes, smart projectors with integrated wireless, and High-Definition TV sets, the companies said. "This is just version one of the software," a ViewSonic product manager said.