Trade show puts spotlight on wireless, handhelds

Comdex Fall 2002 winds down, as the crowds thin and companies pack up their gear. Will hopeful visions from some of technology's biggest names become reality in the new year? Some highlights of this year's show: Dell's new handheld computers and its bear hug with Intel's Itanium 2.

Microsoft talking big for servers
The company has long argued that servers with just a few processors were good enough, but new Intel machines and new server software have it changing its tune.

Comdex 2002: Where's the party?
The party scene may have declined, but the beer is flowing on the show floor. Meanwhile, one Microsoft attendee could be Comdex's biggest cheerleader.

Radical physicist flatters tech fans
Stephen Wolfram works to sell a computing-centric view of the universe that might sit better with the tech industry than with others.

Dell to produce Itanium 2 computers
Despite early skepticism, Dell will incorporate the Itanium 2 chip into future high-powered computers.

LG Philips sees its screens on TV
The maker of liquid crystal displays wants to grow beyond its flat-panel PC roots into the fast-growing television market.

From Toshiba, 3D without the goggles Craig Marking, product manager, Toshiba CNET Reviews: Get a deal Editors from CNET Reviews and Computer Shopper hunt for cool devices that won't empty your bank account. Highlights: Norcent Technologies' touts affordable notebooks and LCDs, while Olympus America's recorder lets you shoot pictures and record audio. • PCs, gadgets scrap for home dominance • Big Blue desktops gain speed

Bush aide: Tech to lag in U.S. revival
Comdex crowds got an Economics 101 lesson as a presidential economic adviser offered a sobering analysis of the industry's future.

National CEO predicts date of tech upturn
Using mathematical models, historical patterns and current events, National Semiconductor's CEO predicts when the tech industry will reach its apex.

Dell ups handheld ante with price cut
The computer maker offers a 10 percent discount on its Axim X5 handheld to previous Dell customers. What will competitors say to that?

Digital piracy put in spotlight
News Corp. COO Peter Chernin says it's time to end the "looting epidemic," citing losses in the range of $8 billion.

AMD touts win, bangs head
Advanced Micro Devices' CEO Hector Ruiz announces a customer win and the name of the chipmaker's next-gen desktop processors.

• AMD touts win, bangs head • Linux consortium takes on Red Hat • New software key to IBM desktop future • SuSE deal to expand U.S. sales effort • Keg parties, RVs and Comdex • Astro to propel Transmeta's comeback • AMD to tout corporate win • Microsoft to unveil notepad software • Toshiba laptops tap into wireless mix • Gateway, others unveil media PCs

• McNealy warns against Microsoft • Gateway takes to tablets • Ballmer: Tablets will displace laptops • AMD opens Windows for Opteron • Gates: Accentuate the positive • Fiorina echoes Gates' optimism • Comdex organizer may file for Chapter 11 • UnitedLinux making Comdex splash • Bargains dictate the season • Comdex gear gets playful