Mike Rose wrote in to tell us about a revolutionary Photon Chip, which is the first fully integrated optical circuit. Using wave-guides as wires and frequency-dependent quantum tunneling for gate equivalents the chips are 100-1000 times faster and 1000 times smaller than ordinary chips. Power consumption should fall dramatically as well, enabling portables with much longer battery lives. Current waveguides are down to .02 micron (ten times smaller than the wires in current semiconductors). Mike comments "Wonder what their IPO will be like... "

What we have here is a site called Digital Concepts which basically has a bunch of interesting designs for PDAs of the future. A lot of funky Pilot variations, as well as laptops and stuff. Some of them aren't so far off. Others, well, we can hope. Thanks to Luke for sending this one in.

Spencer reported today that nine of Digital's key portables engineers have decided to join Cyrix. This is particularly interesting given National/Cyrix's interest in the portables and Information Appliance markets.