On Hand Wearable PC
1999
Matsucom
Hardware
Media Archaeology Lab
Label written by Madeline Uren
The On Hand Wearable PC, produced by Matsucom, is a true blast from the past. Created in 1999, this small object advertised itself on its packaging as “the most powerful computer you can wear.” With features such as games, images, and other accessories, the product also features the capability to connect with a variety of softwares, such as Microsoft Outlook. It also features over thirty preinstalled applications. The bright yellow and red packaging on front boasts, “2MB flash memory built in,” indicating that this was a large number. Comparably, the modern equivalent contains up to 32,000 times more memory than this. In a time far before Apple Watches, the modern lack of awareness surrounding this object suggested that it never gained popularity. However, for its moment in history, the On Hand Wearable PC demonstrates great leaps and bounds made in technological progress. Which begs the question, why did it never gain popularity? Why was it never produced after that one year? Was the world simply not ready to be constantly attached to technology? If so much has changed in a relatively short amount of time, what major changes can we expect in the next few decades?
Image citation:
- Media Archaeology Lab, Creative Commons: Attribution, Non-Commercial