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. :)"

Comments

Applications, Applications,.... Aplications, App..

[Raindeer]

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.