He cited "smart" appliances operated by remote control and card- or thumb-reading security systems as future examples.

"The PC may be simpler to use in the future, but it will still broker lots of home services and control other smart appliances."

Sure, smart appliances will be great, but we can get a start without them.

A moderately smart appliance can at least be scheduled to run at a certain time.

No manufacturer has yet found it worthwhile to make a "smart" appliance that could be instructed by a data signal when to run.

The reasons for the push toward smart appliances are clear.

European energy and water prices are high, and smart appliances operate efficiently.

Such reductions are contingent on every smart appliance reporting to a single central monitor.

Other future agents might be linked to smart appliances, and will order milk before it runs out.

They were attempting to develop a new technology for programming next generation smart appliances, which Sun expected to be a major new opportunity.