Is There Room for an IM only Device ?

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Is There Room for an IM only Device ?

Posted by CmdrTaco on Wednesday May 21, 2003 @08:26PM from the i-have-no-idea dept.

tealover writes "MSNBC Has an article about a new device from Motorola that they're marketing that just does IM. It' called IMFree. Kind of a combination of a cordless phone and pager; There is a base station that plugs into a USB port in your computer, so it's only portable in relation to the base station. Sounds and looks like the kids would like this."

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Rather useless it seems by Microlith · 2003-05-21 20:32 · Score: 4, Insightful

Why buy an extraneous hardware device to do what my computer can do in a few pixels of screen space?

If this were mobile, MAYBE it'd be worthwhile but my phone already has this covered (e-mail, c-mail).
1. Re:Rather useless it seems by Phroggy · 2003-05-21 20:43 · Score: 5, Insightful
  
  Why buy an extraneous hardware device to do what my computer can do in a few pixels of screen space?
  
  Because you can sit on the couch, or in your favorite chair, or in the backyard enjoying the sun, while someone else uses the computer in the living room. Remember this is targeted to kids who don't own their own computers, and especially not laptops.
  
  You can already use AIM from a cell phone, but sometimes reception isn't good inside your house. This is cheaper than a cell phone, and should be much easier to use (bigger screen/keyboard) while you're at home.
  
  --
  $x='S24;r)>63/* h@<5+oZ)32"5cz';$me='phroggy'x$];
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2. Re:Rather useless it seems by kinnell · 2003-05-21 20:45 · Score: 2, Insightful
  
  I think the point is you don't have to sit in front of your computer to use it - it's a bit like buying a cordless phone instead of a regular one. It's a niche market device, and frankly, I think it would make a lot more sense if it was cheap.
  
  --
  If I seem short sighted, it is because I stand on the shoulders of midgets
IM device vs. PDA by rastakid · 2003-05-21 20:34 · Score: 5, Insightful

I'm not sure if this will be a good-selling device.
First of all, the limitation because of a base station, really hurts it's image. It would be very cool if I could Jabber in the train, but I don't think I will Jabber on my couch, when my PC is ten meters away.
The second Bag Thing is the huge competion between PDAs and IM devices. Why would I pay for a (probably expensive too) IM device, when I can get a PDA with 802.11b? A PDA gives me much more features, including Instant Messaging. I currently have the Zaurus SL-5500, and I'm really happy to have it, I can do just anything with it, including Instant Messaging.
I think this device has a chance, but only if the prices are (much) lower than the PDA prices, or if it's going to support GPRS/UMTS/etc.

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1. Re:IM device vs. PDA by Phroggy · 2003-05-21 20:46 · Score: 2, Insightful
  
  Why would I pay for a (probably expensive too) IM device, when I can get a PDA with 802.11b? A PDA gives me much more features, including Instant Messaging. I currently have the Zaurus SL-5500, and I'm really happy to have it, I can do just anything with it, including Instant Messaging.
  
  The article (you did read it, didn't you?) says this IM device will be $99.99. How much did your PDA cost? If you don't already have a PDA and don't want the PDA's other features, this makes more sense. Obviously their target market is somewhat narrow.
  
  --
  $x='S24;r)>63/* h@<5+oZ)32"5cz';$me='phroggy'x$];
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2. Re:IM device vs. PDA by Black_Logic · 2003-05-21 20:46 · Score: 4, Insightful
  
  First of all, the limitation because of a base station, really hurts it's image
  
  I'm not so sure, When I'm programming I usually like a reasonably comfortable computer chair and a big desk; When I do my web browsing, im'ing and mp3 listening I use a computer that I set up next to my bed so that I can lay down while i'm doing it. Before I set this up I found myself going to watch tv on my comfortable couch instead. So much of my day to day entertainment comes from my computer that i'm lead to believe there's a real market for making computers more entertainment friendly. ie. being more comfortable while using them.
  
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3. Re:IM device vs. PDA by rastakid · 2003-05-21 20:57 · Score: 3, Insightful
  
  I spent $300.00 on my Zaurus, including Linksys 802.11b card. It's now possible to get the SL-5500 for around $200.00 since Sharp is about to intoduce the SL-5600 (or already did, not sure). So, for twice the money you'll get a full PDA (running Linux!) which allows you to do almost anything. For half the money, you'll get a device which *only* allows you to Instant Message with it. Besides this, it's possible to set up a Bluetooth connection between your Zaurus and your mobile phone, allowing you to use dial-up/GPRS/UMTS. Sure, Bluetooth cards cost money, but they give you great possibilities.
  So, if the devices would be around $50.00, it could be a great buy, now I would rather double the money spent, and go for a PDA. Of course, this differs from person to person, everyone has to make the choice for theirselves.
  
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Why this will work by Phroggy · 2003-05-21 20:35 · Score: 5, Insightful

I've had a chance to borrow an iBook with an AirPort card for awhile, and I really like being able to go anywhere in the house and be online without wires getting in the way. I see this device being very successful for the same reason. There are trade-offs: you can't browse Slashdot with it and the screen and keyboard are small and awkward, but it's vastly cheaper than a laptop.

I wouldn't want one of these for myself. I do a lot with the computer, and usually just have AIM running in the background; when I'm not at the computer I probably am busy doing something and don't have time for IM. I'm not in their target market though. A lot of less tech-savvy people use the computer exclusively for communicating with people (via IM or e-mail) and surfing the web, and don't necessarily do both at the same time; for them, this would free them from having to sit in front of the computer, which they only do now because it's the only way to use IM/e-mail/the web.

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$x='S24;r)>63/* h@<5+oZ)32"5cz';$me='phroggy'x$];
$x=~y+ -xz+\0-Tx+;print$_^chop$me for split'',$x;
Most people by CptChipJew · 2003-05-21 20:36 · Score: 2, Insightful

seem to be carrying around cell phones these days. And it seems a lot of them support AOL Instant Messenger.

When cell phone prices eventually drop to the point where everyone can afford them (which I guess may be now), then an IM only device will be kind of unnecessary. That is, unless it's a dirt cheap service.

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Vonal Declosion
Re:SMS ? by ites · 2003-05-21 20:37 · Score: 3, Insightful

Yeah, say it, brother. SMS is IM. Only the markets in the US price SMS above voice traffic (there is a rational explanation for this but it involves large amounts of mind-altering substances). In Europe (and Asia and probably most places outside North America) this discussion is long over: over 70% of the population (here in Belgium) has a mobile phone and they can all IM each other using SMS.

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Surely the main benefit of these is... by ahadley · 2003-05-21 20:40 · Score: 5, Insightful

...the ability to let others use the computer whilst someone is IMing.
I know that when I go home for a weekend or something, the likelyhood of being able to check my email, the latest /. or the like is usually slim to none, due to my little sister spending copious amounts of time 'chatting' to her friends.
I think this sort of thing could come as a breath of fresh air for other members of the house hold
Also IMing age is usually self-concious age and so privacy hilst IMing is usually of the upmost importance (I know it is for my sister), thus the ability to do it from their bedrooms, for instance, would probably be very much appreciated.

Just my thoughts on it,
Alex

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Any fool can talk, but it takes a smart man to listen
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Re:What would be really cool... by kinnell · 2003-05-21 22:12 · Score: 2, Insightful

Laptop = expensive
Just buy a really old one second hand and run an X server on it. All you really need is a 486 with >16M if the applications are running remotely.

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If I seem short sighted, it is because I stand on the shoulders of midgets
Re:SMS ? by Mickut · 2003-05-21 22:27 · Score: 2, Insightful

And who in their right mind would pay for received messages or phone calls?

More over, SMS is not IM. It's not completely unlike IM, but it does not offer the one thing IM has to offer: you know before you send the message that the recipient is (somewhere) there, logged in. With SMS you send the message, and hope that the person has their mobile phone turned on (I found this a problem in the US, people trying to avoid incoming calls, because those use up the precious minutes). Even if you have the delivery confirmation turned on, you might not get the confirmation right away.
why bother by maxpublic · 2003-05-22 04:35 · Score: 2, Insightful

I have a cell with unlimited free long distance and free in-region calling (Verizon), not to mention a free message service. Why the hell would I bother with IM when I can simply call someone up and *talk* to them - or leave a message if they don't have their cell on?

I fail to understand what the appeal is, unless the younger generation has an aversion to actually using the spoken word.

Max

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