Windows Phone Thoughts: View Data on a Laptop Fast - Without Windows

The Register reports that "Phoenix Technologies this week has kicked off what will prove to be a protracted battle to own the PC before the OS loads with a new version of its FirstWare Assistant software that gives customers easy access to email. Unveiled at CeBIT, the latest version of FirstWare Assistant lets users check their Microsoft Outlook email, calendar and contacts data without booting Windows XP. By holding down the "F" key, users get instant access to this information - technology thought to be ideal for checking up on appointments, recalling a phone number or pulling up directions while on the road."

OK, accessing data from your computer without firing up Windows – I'm impressed. It looks like the relevant data is being pre-cached by the FirstWare Assistant, so that it can be presented to you quickly. Only thing however, is that it can only give you what was synchronised onto the laptop before it was shut down. Intel has a more power hungry version of this technology, that can update the data while the laptop is still shut down.

"Both Phoenix and Intel have long-term visions for this type of technology. In the next couple of years, consumers will be able to start up music players, games and other software without Windows' help. In the meantime, Phoenix is simply billing its software as a tool for eliminating the PDA. Why carry both a laptop and handheld around when you get instant access to the same data on the notebook?" Why indeed? What's your take on this and the 'eliminating the PDA' concept?