Now, I'm all about the commlinks ('natch). But I've noticed a two new trends in the PAN business:
[Arsenal, p. 58]Personality Software - This bit of software can be installed on everything from your Commlink to your Panther Cannon to your Mr. Soykaf. Their are a bunch of 'official' personalities out there, plus a ton I've seen some hackers whip up (some guys REALLY like their soykaf with a Maria Mercurial purring about the temp of the water <shakes head>). It doesn't actually *make* your equipment more intelligent, but some runners live by it, saying that it makes their stuff more 'user-friendly'. Personally, I've seen enough AIs and Technomancer's sprites around the 'trix that I don't know if I
want my equipment backtalking me. But what do I know? I'm old.
[Arsenal, p. 34]Weapon Commlinks - What's the Razorguy to do when he doesn't want to lug around a hunk of plastic with all his info on it, but doesn't have room in his head to install the Commlink internally? Why, install it on his gun, of course. The obvious downside to this, is that you gotta carry your gun everywhere. But most sammies I know do that anyway (even to the Stuffer Shack at two in the afternoon - I swear, if I hear of another gun battle splattering foodstuffs everywhere, I'm going to shut down production of your favorite slushies for a year). And hey, if you include the Personality Software, you can finally live out that old Marine fantasy:
This is my rifle. There are many others like it, but this one is mine. My rifle is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I must master my life. Without me, my rifle is useless. Without my rifle, I am useless. I must fire my rifle true. I must shoot straighter than my enemy, who is trying to kill me. I must shoot him before he shoots me. I will. Before God I swear this creed: my rifle and myself are defenders of my country, we are the masters of our enemy, we are the saviors of my life. So be it, until there is no enemy, but peace. Amen. [/url]