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New Cellphone Sized "Computer" Takes Aim at Sub-Notebooks

IMOVIO has launched a new cellphone-sized computer that is aimed at something similar to the subnotebook market. While it doesn't have 3G of its own, it does have a QWERTY keyboard, Wi-Fi, and a $175 price point. "It can connect to the Internet using a standard Wi-Fi connection, or it can use your cell phone's mobile broadband connection via Bluetooth. The company is currently pitching it to mobile network operators and retail stores. It's being compared to the ill-fated Palm Foleo. But the comparison doesn't work because the Foleo was Palm-phone only, didn't fit in a pocket and cost well over three times the price of the iKIT.

3 of 256 comments (clear)

  1. Star Trek by Malluck · · Score: 3, Informative

    So at what point can we start calling these things tricorders and be done with the whole sub-sub-mini-micro-net-note-laptops?

  2. No touch typing? by schnikies79 · · Score: 4, Informative

    No thanks. I already have a cellphone with a thumb keyboard.

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    Gone!
  3. PDA Specs by SlashdotOgre · · Score: 4, Informative

    The specs seem much closer to a PDA than a netbook. Also the choice of using a 2.4 based Linux is interesting. I admit I haven't been following Linux on Xscale, so perhaps that explains the choice. Personally I expect more general purpose use out of a "computer" and these specs seem like it's more geared for PDA use.

    - Processor: Marvell PXA270 312MHz
    - ROM: 128 MB, RAM: 64 MB SDRAM
    - User data: 12MB, User media files: 23MB

    - Operating System: Linux 2.4.19
    - User Interface GUI: Proprietary plus Trolltech QT/E 2.3.8
    - Bluetooth® 2.0 with EDR, supports wireless stereo headset
    - (A2DP) & DUN profile
    - WIFI® IEEE 802.11 b/g
    - Optional USB connection configured for HSDPA dongle
    - QWERTY/AZERTY + numeric keys, other languages optional
    - Micro SD (up to 8GB)
    - 2.8 inch QVGA, TFT, 260,000 colors, landscape

    http://www.webitpr.com/release_detail.asp?ReleaseID=10258

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