These days, every class of high-tech show-off has either a touch-screen palmtop computer, or a tiny, exquisite laptop, or at the very least an electronic organiser capable of co-ordinating NATO's operations in the Balkans.

But for these digital age pioneers there is - and this is the tragic part - a snag. The larger computers are a drag to haul around, and the keypads on the smaller ones are so tiny that sustained use can turn your fingers blue.

Now help is at hand. The telecommunications company Ocean has revealed that scientists working at one of BT's labs have come up with a personal computer in the shape of a pen. You simply hold and write with it as one would a pen; as well as functioning as a real-life biro, it stores every movement. Later, it converts everything you have written into electronic text characters for use on any computer.

Ocean says when the SmartQuill has been fully developed - it could be in production by the end of next year - users will be able not only to take notes, but also schedule appointments, send and receive e-mails, and calculate figures.

The SmartQuill, around £200 (€254), should be available by Christmas 2000.