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Philips iPronto Does It with Linux

Posted by michael on from the lost-it-under-the-sofa-cushions dept.

An anonymous reader writes "The Philips iPronto may well be a gadget-lover's dream come true. Ever glance around the family room in bewilderment at the number and diversity of remote controls required to make your entertainment systems go? If so, you might think you know why Philips created this brainy new remote. But getting rid of all those little button-studded black plastic battery-eaters isn't all this Linux-powered marvel aims to do." And all for the low low price of $1700.

4 of 207 comments (clear)

  1. WWOD by stankyho · · Score: 5, Funny

    Could Ozzy figure out how to use this one?

    --

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    eeww, I'll have a crab juice.
  2. Eek... by Bvardi · · Score: 5, Funny

    At 1700 this device would actually cost more than all the things I would use it to control! :)
    (Hey I'm a geek on a budget)

    That being said - it does look like the ultimate in remote control bragging rights in one rather large (for a remote) package.

  3. Re:Coolest ... thing ... ever! by maharg · · Score: 5, Informative
    check it out at http://www.pronto.philips.com/index.cfm?id=496.
    flash required!!

    It's got a browser (well I assume that's what the hotmail screendump represents).
    a quick rundown of the specs:
    • The res is only 640*480 tho, a bit too blocky for my liking..
    • Intel X-Scale processor - no mention of speed
    • touch screen - "high sensitivity" - Mmmmm
    • 64 MB of non-vol flash memory
    • 64 MB of RAM
    • built in mic, 'phones socket and "speakers" - no mention of a line out or better, I guess you'll have to live with the headphone out..
    • PCMCIA slot with removeable 802.11b wireless card
    • 8 "direct access" buttons
    --

    $ strings FTP.EXE | grep Copyright
    @(#) Copyright (c) 1983 The Regents of the University of California.
  4. Startup time?! by jraf · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I was looking around for the battery life specs (I couldn't get to the specs page on the Philips website) .. and came across this page http://www.remotecentral.com/wn030403.htm Found out that its got 5 days of standby lifetime.. not too fantastic, but with a convenient dock its acceptable I guess. But the second new feature of the firmeware upgrade said Reduced start-up time... Hell..ANY startup time for a remote control isn't going to be good..