| Sumario: | The writer considers the possible marriage of British company Psion's “palmtop” computer to Amstrad's mobile phone business, Dancall. In 1995, Psion achieved one-third of total sales of palmtop computers, selling 350,000 of its Series 3 electronic organizers. However, despite its popularity, the Series 3 is five years old and no longer has a clear design or technological advantage over rivals from richer companies. Psion is convinced that it requires digital-communication technology if it is to match the development of palmtop computing toward machines that are as much communications devices as organizers. Psion chairman, David Potter, appears prepared to pay about $230 million for Dancall, which was one of the first firms to employ the Global System for Mobiles, a European communications standard, in its digital mobile phones. The writer considers the wisdom of this marriage and whether Psion really needs to purchase an entire phone company.
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