There's nothing special anymore about a digital bathroom scale. But this one has its own IP address and a Bluetooth connection to a cell phone. And nearby is a similarly equipped pillbox. Forget your meds, and it might just e-mail you a reminder. You won't find these items at The Sharper Image just yet. They and dozens of other futuristic gizmos are prototypes at IBM's Corporate Design Center in Somers, N.Y. That's right - the same company that makes million-dollar mainframes and enterprise application software. Here in what IBM calls its Gadget Lab are devices that sit at the intersection of the marketplace and IBM's vast patent portfolio. Most of the prototypes have been built in small quantities for specific customers.
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