" Getting invited to that alliance ( ? ) that i think helped to decide the future direction of tech in a lot of areas."

That would be the VOICE TIMES ALLIANCE.

Myself, I have reservations on that matter...IMO, it devastated e.Digital.

Intel gave some very interesting incentives to e.Digital including being involved in Intels newly conceived Consumer Electronics Division with all kinds of contractual incentive. Even to the point of key Intel people jumping on e.Digitals board.

e.Digital was invited to the VTA, however , as I feel, e.Digital did not want to contribute to the alliance as Intel wanted....by supplying, in some fashion, a standardized consideration of its tech I/O.....if you consider what was to be achieved. Which at that time, a very NUNCHI like environment of mobile communication.

More or less, “we will give you this ...if you do that”.....and e.Digital could not oblige

With that, I feel Intel pulled the rug out from under e.Digital and the rest is history….NUNCHI now exists under e.Digitals roof without Intel or IBM. NUNCHI back then would have been too early …where it now fits just right.

doni