When I covered home networking a few weeks ago, I didn't know that CES 2000 would be primarily an orgy of gizmos and the networked home. Is it desperation, or something worth getting excited about?

Here is a simple rule of thumb that I have: a PC is multi-functional, and almost all non-PC devices we hear being discussed in the press are single function. Palm Pilot - it's an organizer. Sure, it can be other things, but it's really an organizer. Internet appliances - basically, Web browsers in a box. Not even fully featured Web browsers in most cases. So, I don't really know how to categorize and segment Internet appliances, handhelds, and gizmos. Talking fridges, and Internet ready toasters are easy; they're fridges and toasters. No one's food should be connected to the Internet, but that's another rant.

Handhelds? I Don't Know.

Cell phones are a little easier; they're phones, and maybe they're the future of handhelds. A handheld device could be just a cell phone with a better display and more software. It's interesting to speculate. I mean, MP3 players are pretty much handheld devices. Aren't they?

So, here's another interesting question, are we going to see MP3 players turning into personal organizers? I mean, when you put memory, processing, and a wireless connection to the Internet into all these gizmos, they become nothing more or less than handheld computing devices, or the equivalent.

Handheld PCs.

Oh, oh! Now, this is where I think it gets really interesting. Putting aside the fact that the most successful gizmo out there today, Palm Pilot, is a proprietary product, don't you think that at some point all these gizmos are going to have to open up their markets. Windows is proprietary, but it gets the heck kick out of it by third party hardware and software. Now, imagine the same frustration, but all in pocket size format.

So, here's another prediction of mine: in the year 2020, for want of a better date, society will be plagued by pocket rage. Millions of frustrated users will be frantically rummaging in their pockets, briefcases, purses, and orifices for faulty devices. Of course, at this point they are all voice activated so, they're fine to sit in some person's nooks and crannies, but the damn things start hanging, or giving you driver errors. Damn ubiquitous devices. Damn the Circle of Life.

That's my analysis of gizmo fever in the computing and electronics market. I also reckon that most of you reading this either are, or will soon be, slaves to your little pocket wonders.