A trio of articles makes me write this post about the emergence of IP-connected devices that aren't phones, one of my favorite things to think (and write) about. But first, stepping back a couple of years ago, there was the Nokia Internet tablet. People were skeptical: why would someone want a "smartphone" that wasn't a phone?

Then came the iPod Touch, the Kindle and the out-of-nowhere success of netbooks. Now the range of devices will potentially broaden. Accordingly, here are the pieces I mentioned: 

• Lenovo's new "Pocket Yoga" touchscreen device
• PC makers getting into smartphones (and competing with handset OEMs)
• Finally Intel's proposed new widescreen mobile computing device

Each of these discusses a range of new devices that diverge somewhat from the conventional "form factor" of phones and/or netbooks. From a pure gadget standpoint, it's fun to contemplate them. But how will they be connected and will they appeal to consumers? What will they cost?

But the connectivity is the fundamental issue as I see it.

Sprint wholesaling its network in the US is one way that these devices may be connected to the Internet, in the same way it does with the Kindle. The danger here is that a data-only plan with one of these devices and Skype or Truphone turns it into an inexpensive mobile phone. That might inhibit Sprint to some degree. 

But AT&T (and O2 in the UK) have already launched a netbook + two year contract model. Indeed, that's another way to go. Yet another option is the White Spaces broadband project. But it probably won't offer access on a commercial basis for at least a couple of years. 

I'm struck by how frequently I can get on a network for free with my iPod Touch -- though not as often as perhaps I'd like. However, as I've said before, once the connection issue is resolved lots of interesting mobile internet devices can emerge that aren't phones or PCs exactly. 

Perhaps we're entering a new period of hardware design creativity that will render the "gray boxes" of the past totally obsolete.