I must be reading this differently, cuz to me this has digE written all over it (2nd gen). Assuming there`s something to LL`s thoughts/recollections re: EDIG and Panasonic:

Panasonic could easily develop their own ``outer shell`` for the device (complete with credit card swipe). Connectivity as already suggested by EDIG (and APS/Wencor) could be incorporated. But if they have all these things worked out, why no roll-out for another six months?

Wild card thought is that MAYBE there is a time limit on the exclusivity clause in the EDIG/APS agreement. Perhaps two years with APS (since summer `03) and/or one year with APS/Wencor (since APS buy out by Wencor, and perhaps a new agreement in place to replace the older EDIG/APS agreement). This would explain the seemingly slow roll-out by Panasonic if they have licensed the ``guts`` from EDIG for their device. Also seems that a company having Panasonic`s resources and the ``plan`` for the device could certainly pull this off a lot sooner than in some six months (with or without EDIG).

So, my Wild Ass Speculation (WAS) is that MAYBE Panasonic has a (tentative) licensing agreement for the (2nd gen) digE with EDIG which cannot go into effect until the exclusivity period with APS/Wencor has expired (in the fall).

This WAS could be expanded to the thought that MAYBE Panasonic is the huge Asian OEM coming out with a EDIG-based PMP for the masses, to be introduced - when was that, oh yeah - this fall.

But loose dots make bad plots....

And I KNOW nuttin`!

SGE

PS: Thanks to those who posted B-Day wishes!