The personal digital assistant of the future will do a lot more than organize our schedules and plan our days. In an overwhelming sea of data and messages, the Agent will use rudimentary artificial intelligence to sort, store, and forward info and messages based on individual priorities, preferences, and interests. It will interact with the earphone and all digital devices at work and at home, connecting them to the Net and instantly updating them. Think Palm's HotSync times 10. Say goodbye to money, keys, credit cards, beepers, and TV remotes.

			INSTANT I.D.
			By using new scanning technology that verifies the user's thumb-print, the Agent will open doors to cars, homes, and offices. It will secure access to your personal databases, such as online medical records, and guarantee their privacy.

			THUMBS UP
			Thumbprints will replace credit-card numbers, I.D. numbers, mothers' maiden names, and the stream of forgettable passwords needed to do business on the Web. The Agent will be debit and credit card in one; e-cash at last.

Advances in electro- and thermochromatic technologies will permit people to change the skins of their Agents and express their individuality. Colors, patterns, and even textures will be alterable to reflect personal taste.