Surf's Up

By Wilson Rothman

"Internet appliance" is a buzz word that's been in bad odor since the demise of 3Com's ill-fated Audrey counter-top device. But the idea of a thin little computer that's good only for surfing the Web refuses to die. Now there's a new, low-cost surfing machine on the block, the Prismiq MediaPlayer ($250). More than just a Web browser that grabs news and weather reports from the Internet, this book-size gadget can also pull any songs, photos or videos that you've got stored on your PC's hard drive and play them on your stereo or TV. Devices like this are best when they work seamlessly and wirelessly. In this case, wireless networking is available--but sold separately. --By Wilson Rothman