Slashdot Mirror
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.
It's infuriating. I already have a computer the size of a cell phone. It's called a "cell phone". Damn it, why can't I plug it into a TV or monitor, and plug a mouse and keyboard into it and use the damned thing like a computer?
Free Martian Whores!
What's the screen pixels? An Eee 700 is usable at 800x480; this can't go much below that and be usable on the modern Web. Even if the resulting text is Flyspeck 3, at least it'll be detailed Flyspeck 3 rather than pixelated.
http://rocknerd.co.uk
So at what point can we start calling these things tricorders and be done with the whole sub-sub-mini-micro-net-note-laptops?
No thanks. I already have a cellphone with a thumb keyboard.
Gone!
Computers of this size and form-factor are not totally unprecedented. Things like the Nokia N810 internet tablet are similar. (QWERTY keyboard, fits in your pocket, WiFi or bluetooth connectivity...). Also, many smartphones have all the features and functionality of this device (including having a physical keyboard, etc.) with the advantage of direct connectivity through the cell network.
The only thing this new device can offer is a somewhat lower price ($175 instead of >$400 for the N810). But I think this device will only appeal to a very small market (most people would prefer to spend a bit more for a more capable device, or get something with a bigger screen/keyboard).
2.6?
Let's hope 2.4 stays supported for some time to come.
Knowledge is how to play a game, intelligence is how to win, wisdom is knowing what game to play.
Nokia has a line of small devices that do the same thing. The 770 (which I use) and 800 have on-screen keyboards, the 810 has a slide-down keyboard. The access the internet via WiFi or a bluetooth connection on a phone.
[Insert pithy quote here]
After shrinking down audio technology with integrated circuits, true audiophiles decided that big, 'ol honkers with tubes are better. I predict that the same will happen with PCs. What? A PC in your pocket, how mundane. I have a tube powered ENIAC in my basement. In fact, it IS my basement.
I can really tell the difference, because every month when the power bill comes, I know it must be good, because it is using butt-loads of electricity.
Schroedinger's Brexit: The UK is both in and out of the EU at the same time!
Is because unlike our cellphones/pdas which have the same functionality, this is a clamshell design that looks like a shrunken laptop.
..goes between whether I can type with it using more than two fingers or not. Fail. Next.
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
Sadly, PS/2 was yet another victim of USB, which doesn't care what you plug into it, the electrical slut.
here's the actually spec and release data.
It looks neat and I'm sure it works well...but smartphones have GPS and 3G/data plans built in. Most have some developer support good to go and better cameras. Ultra-portables have a better keyboard/mouse, more ports to connect crap and full web browsers. Hell, some allow you to just stick in SIM card, rolling all 3 into 1.
The battery life is ok but not great, seeing how long it takes to charge. It honestly fills no niche or even covers everything. Solid Meh.
import system.cool.Sig;
Pretty soon, your iPod/iPhone is going to be your computer. You'll be able to have your iPhone in your pocket, walk in to any building, sit at a thin client (monitor & keyboard) and connect to your iPhone using a physical cable and possibly even BlueTooth or Wi-Fi. Soon your iPhone/iPod will be a wearable computer, with sunglasses for the display and a bluetooth headset. Commands will be spoken into the handset instead of typing. You'll meet somebody and be able to look at their MySpace/Facebook while you're talking to them face to face.
:-)
Do you think I have a decent chance on the speaking circuit as a futurist?
Taking guns away from the 99% gives the 1% 100% of the power.
So, my iPhone can:
Access Google Apps for document processing.
Access the internet in a normal fashion (non-WAP)
Check email
Calendaring
PDFs
Hook up to data projectors using the component cable adapter
Play music on my home stereo/computer/car
And honestly, looking at that keyboard on this sub-sub-notebook, the iPhone's input is likely better (I'm one of the lucky people who LOVES the iPhone keyboard)
SSH using a new app I bought (sorry...I did buy it)
RDP using a free app (not as good as the SSH app, but it does let me control my office webcam)
Play games
Make lightsaber sounds
Seriously...this sub-sub-notebook doesn't offer anything I don't have and that the iPhone (and likely other phones) don't already do better.
Bah. A TRUE computophile won't settle for less than a full-fledged Analytical Engine. Gears are the true analog circuits! I can really tell the difference, because every month when the coal bill comes, I know it must be good, because it is using butt-loads of coal.
Burning all that coal is going to black out our atmosphere and leave the world in shambles for our children and animals. When you decide to finally join the 21st century, you'll learn that CLEAN computphiles use hydraulic analytical engines powered by slaves on rowers! I can really tell the difference, because every month when the mortality report comes, I know it must be good, because I'm going through butt-loads of slaves.
I am the richest astronaut ever to win the superbowl.
It was hard to see, since it was in danger of being crushed by a dwarf...
I'm done with sigs. Sigs are lame.
How appropriate that a user named CorporateSuit refers to his IT team as "slaves on rowers."