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Midori Linux Powered FIC Aquapad
quantumgravity1 writes: "Check out this review of the FIC Aquapad. It has a 500MHz Transmeta Crusoe CPU, runs Midori Linux, is wireless capable, and is totally portable. According to pics included it is comparable to the Iopener in size. There's no hard drive, but it comes with up to 256MB of memory with 32 embedded for the os, but you can expand it with compact flash or the IBM Microdrive. GPS support is in the works, but it already supports MP3 and MPG. Now I just need a wireless setup at home, or perhaps I can do some mobile sniffing. :)"
While I am tickled pink to see such new devices emerge (especially those with linux), I just pray that these companies spend money/effort in moderation when looking into such workpads. For all intensive purposes, these workpads are one-way devices with very little input meant to come from the user.
/.'d-ness.
In order for that to be useful, it has to come with the ability to accept a variety of data from a variety of sources (IR, Radio, Laser, etc) and display it back to the user. In a world where you can gather information simply by walking around and grabbing datastreams, I can see the workpad being a useful and hip thing to carry around for the traveling businessperson, or the college student (less books!)
But... until that day, the $1000 laptop + 56k modem will still be the reliable source to get connected when you're stuck in the middle of nowhere. So... I just hope that these companies don't expend too much of their energy in making devices that are a bit too ahead of their time...
As for the article, it's great... hope ya'll get a chance to read it... Me? I've already mastered the art of anti-slashdotting...
1) Open Article
2) "Open in New Window" all the relevant pages
3) Read, enjoy, ignore screams of
I didn't look at the technical part of the review, but went straight to the part where the usability of the webpad was explained and there was the biggest error of the machine. It doesn't have an adequate user interface to input text. Neither the handwriting recognition, nor the onscreen keyboard seem to suffice. For this to become a success it needs applications that support its presence in the marketplace. One of the great things of a palm is that the user interface for inputting text is good enough for most people. (go ahead flame away) This has made that people are willing to buy it and other people to develop aps for it.
My prediction: The first webpad to be commercially succesful will be made my Microsoft and have adequate text input, like a Pocket PC a version of Office, Internet Explorer and a possibility to port your own aps to it easily. Why? A Dutch journalist spoke to Bill Gates recently in The Hague, Bill was carrying some kind of pad computer. We all know he wants to dominate and we all know he knows what is nescessary to get the product to succeed in the market.
Use Adsense for Charity
Seriously, look at it. it looks like a very interesting product, with nice specs, but whos gonna buy it? its too big to fit in your pocket, and if you are going to bother to carry it around in case, (as one of its features is its wirelessness) then you might as well carry a full fledged laptop (except that a laptop is heavier). The only use i can see is for someone you really needs a laptop, but can't afford/doesn't want the extras of a laptop, then this would be a good option. But, there arn't many businesses that 1) have a need for lots of people moving around and 2) will take a chance on this product, and businesses are one of their primary targets.
Only dead fish swim with the stream...
Secondly, can we please stop using raw processor speed as the only benchmark of performance? Everybody should know by now that not all XXXMhz chips are created equal. This is particularly important for a Crusoe processor, a design which does not emphasize raw computing power.