PC Briefs

Arlington, Va.— The Consumer Electronics Association is encouraging Missouri to enact a sales tax holiday for computer and related product purchases. The state government is considering adding the "holiday" this August with the idea that it will financially help consumers with back to school shopping. The CEA also believes the program will encourage Missourians to jump on the PC bandwagon, as a U.S. Department of Commerce study showed that only 47 percent of household's in the state own a PC. CEA figures put nationwide household PC penetration at about 60 percent. Additional CEA research indicates that 27 percent of families with an income below $25,000 would be inclined to take advantage of the tax break.

Fremont, Calif. — Addonics this week started shipping a USB 2.0 DVD/CDRW drive. The device is about the size of a CD jewel case and carries a $399 suggested retail price. It is has 8x DVD-ROM read, 8x CD write and 24x CD read speeds. The devices flexible interface connection allows it to be connected to a USB, FireWire or CardBus port.

Cambridge, Mass. — Caveo Technology is expected to start shipping this month a PC card-based anti-theft device for notebook computers. The Caveo Anti-Theft plugs into a notebook's PC card slot and will sound an alarm if the device is moved beyond a certain distance from its designated position. It determines motion through a set of gyros and will sound an alarm if moved. When set off it will lock up a person's data. The card is independently powered and recharges when the notebook is plugged in. It carries a $99 suggested retail price.

Scottsdale, Ariz. — The adoption of a operating specification by the HomePlug Alliance could bring about a 10 times increase in sales of that home networking format, according to In-Stat. Mike Wolf, In-Stat's analyst for residential networking services, said the powerline networking sales could jump from the $18 million sold in 2001 to $190 million in 2002. Wolf indicated some high hurdles exist to block the category from taking off, primarily the competing standard being developed by the CEA, along with consumer's inability to grasp the entire concept of powerline networking. However, Wolf cited the fact that there are power outlets in every room of every American home gives powerline a huge potential market to tap.