Is There Room for an IM only Device ?

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."

Comments

Rather useless it seems

[Microlith]

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).

Re:Rather useless it seems

[Phroggy]

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.

IM device vs. PDA

[rastakid]

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.

Re:IM device vs. PDA

[Black_Logic]

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.

Why this will work

[Phroggy]

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.

Surely the main benefit of these is...

[ahadley]

...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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