The market has evolved to the point where even ordinary, seemingly benign objects are now connected to a network. Clocks, watches, paperweights, pinwheels and other items are among the newest players in the sweeping world of wireless. Such gadgets fall under the ''glanceable'' class of wireless devices.

Startup Ambient Devices and software giant Microsoft Corp. are two of the most notable players in the new glanceable objects market. And although their devices in many cases offer the same sort of information, their strategies are very different.

from RCR Wireless News