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After 15 years of hype, this year may finally see a product roll-out in the fuel cells area. Micro fuel cells produce power by exchanging fuel-often methanol-and water between a thin, reactive film membrane in an electrochemical reaction. They are refilled with fuel instead of recharged, potentially freeing portable gadgets from the outlet-attached charger. These micro fuel cells are expected to be smaller, lighter and up to ten times more powerful than batteries-once they reach maturity. To date, no company has produced a viable commercial micro fuel cell. Some of the obstacles have been technical, while a nonexistent supply chain and a lack of industry standards have been some other issues causing the delay.

Now, finally, several fuel cells are in pilot testing, and companies like Mechanic Technology's MTI MicroFuel Cells, Toshiba, and Medis Technologies are promising product launches this year. Eventually, micro fuel cells will replace the portable battery, but in the short term they will act as chargers to ensure that batteries last longer.

The passing away of PDAs
Non-connected PDAs downslide continue. As the core PDA functionality, centered on personal information management, shifts to other devices such as cellphones, PDAs that are not connected will see a further fall in numbers this year.

Mobile is the new black
By 2007-08, 65% of enterprises will have wireless applications deployed, with mobile devices outnumbering traditional PCs. Device diversity, mobile middleware platform evolution, and mobile management will be key challenges, forcing almost continuous investment and upgrading. Converged devices will replace most standalone PDAs, except in specialized environments.

Voice rules
Voice services will continue to dominate the mobile wireless (cellular) market. Although 2005 and 2006 will be the breakout years for mobile/wireless data, with enterprise budgets increasing and mobile e-mail and field-force automation being critical applications, carriers will struggle with coverage and network quality.