The problem is that in addition to HP's Jornada having all these different model numbers, Windows CE is an OEM-based product. This means that there are a lot of companies building palm-sized PCs and handheld PCs and mini-notebooks. The thing is, I'm going to remember what the Sega Dreamcast is. I'm going to remember what the WebTV Plus is. But how can I remember what the HP Jornada 2237 is vs. the HP Jornada 9644? This is just not going to happen.

So, while I would prefer not to suggest that Windows CE manufacturers adopt cute colors (although, to my own personal dismay, I am going to suggest that in a few minutes). I am suggesting that folks adopt branding and naming that allows their customers to have some chance of keeping track of what the heck it is they're making. If you're making a Jornada that fits in your pocket, why not call it the Jornada Pocket? If you have a second generation, call it Pocket II or III! At least make it possible for us to figure out whether the thing fits in a pocket or a backpack. That's a good start. It would help everyone involved.

Now, as much as I'm personally dismayed by this, I'd also like to suggest that you might want to consider changing the unit's color from basic blue or basic gray to peach, or wood burl, or steel. Or asphalt. Maybe not asphalt, but you get the idea. Personalizing colors make sense because this is a personal device. As much as I am a techno-geek and I have all sorts of devices wired around me (and people kind of know I'm a techno-geek and stay about ten feet away), many of the consumers of Windows CE devices aren't going to be your full-tilt techno-geeks. Most will be people who are trying to get a job done and who have a sense of style.

Think about market opportunity. Us die-hard computer industry people are used to a lot of computers on racks. The computers on racks have always been beige, and as a result, to some of us, all computers should be beige. But many people want a nice, pleasant-looking computer in their living room.

As the prices of these powerful computers come down and people realize they can demand good design out of the computers that will be occupying their living space with them, we'll see more laptops, more Windows CE devices. Some of these computers look like stereo components. Eventually, as these things start to develop more and more personality, the computer you choose will probably convey something about your sense of style. If you have a slick mini-notebook-sized Compaq device or HP Jornada or some other very cool device that you take from place to place that's maybe even connected over a wireless network, people will notice that and say, "Ah, Johnny has a sense of style."

In any case, let's go back to product design and style. When you're talking about a mini-notebook, style is somewhat important. When you're talking about something that fits as part of a wardrobe -- remember, you pull it out of your pocket -- style is absolutely important to people. That's why people spend many, many dollars on slick-looking pens instead of a 39 cent Bic. It's a matter of style. So if you do build your products with names that people can identify and you build your products with some inward and outward sense of style, then there's actually a chance that customers will be able to differentiate your product from your competitor's.