But no one is yet offering what Carphone's Wireless World format can: a collection of devices from a range of brands and the broadband, Wi-Fi or mobile phone contracts needed to make them work.
And in game devices, an area where Sony still thrives, the next version of its PlayStation will face a much stiffer challenge from rival Microsoft's next-generation Xbox.While Sir Howard ponders ways to regain the upper hand on these competitors, he must also work out what sort of brand image should emanate from this huge collection of devices.
A growing collection of devices are aimed at helping you do just that.
As the team builds up its collection of devices, it'll rely on input from customers to decide which devices to buy in large groups.
An Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) system is a collection of devices working together in a circuit to pump and oxygenate a patient's blood.
The Hardware Series (second row from the bottom) is the collection of devices – smart glasses, smartwatches, and some of the peripherals – that, when combined with the other Industry Series elements, help businesses get things done.
The term Free Electron Laser (FEL) will be used, in this paper, to indicate a wide collection of devices aimed at providing coherent electromagnetic radiation from a beam of "free" electrons, unbound at the atomic or molecular states.
"The emphasis needs to be on how the connected home can help solve daily tasks rather than just being a novelty collection of devices and apps," adds Jessica Ekholm, research director.
Paul Allen, the museum's founder and patron, has caused to be assembled quite an impressive collection of devices from Apple's history, many of which have been restored to working condition.
