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An internet appliance is an electronic device for online activities, such as web browsing and emailing. It may have offline features, but not advanced computing capabilities. They were previously desktop-like, but now function like handheld computers. Sales are poor due to high prices.
An internet appliance is an electronic device through which various online activities can be performed. Common examples of these activities include web browsing, emailing, and online gaming. Sometimes an internet appliance may also have extraneous features that can be used without being connected to the internet, such as an offline agenda. However, if a system offers telephony (for example, telecommunications) or advanced computing capabilities, it is generally not considered an Internet appliance.
Other terms associated with an Internet appliance include: information appliance, network appliance, or intelligent appliance. These terms tend to be especially common in more technical writing, although they can sometimes appear in normal diction as well. This is especially true with the term smart appliance, even though it can sometimes be confused with computerized appliances that don’t connect to the Internet.
Regardless of the name used, all internet devices tend to be structured in a similar way. Previous systems functioned as desktop computers, although they didn’t have towers. Instead, the hardware was housed within the monitor or via a separate unit. As a result, the internet appliance was unable to store any significant amount of data. If storage space was an issue, users would have to save their information online or use external media, such as a flash drive.
For input, users had access to a built-in keyboard and mouse. Additional input options were typically not available, as these devices are not designed to be computers. However, there were some that could work better due to their ability to connect to a desktop. The defunct Personal Internet Communicator (PIC) is one example. In an effort to allow third world countries easier access to the Internet, the PIC gave people the opportunity to get online via a ‘regular’ computer. This meant that their browsing experience could not be hampered by a lack of peripherals or storage space.
Subsequent internet devices have moved away from these styles, as innovations in mobile technology could allow the devices to become more portable. From then on, network appliances began to function like handheld computers, connecting to the Web via Wi-Fi networks. This continues to be the preferred configuration of most manufacturers, even as there are new devices. Most important were those that allowed people to browse the web through their televisions.
However, it should be noted that even though internet appliances have become more mobile, sales are still quite poor compared to high-end devices. Marketers believe this is because the prices aren’t low enough to attract the right audience. Ultimately, if consumers are going to pay hundreds of dollars, they’ll want a handheld computer or smartphone; not an internet device. If prices were to fall substantially, the consumer’s outlook will eventually change, but nobody knows when or if such an event will happen.
