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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.
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!
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).
Once they get banned from holodecks.
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.
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.
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.
Someone posted on the original article's forum that it's 320x240. Unfortunately, in this day and age, that resolution borders on useless. Sure, for 80x25 text or for an old VGA 320x200 DOS game it would be cool. But to do anything of recent vintage, you'll end up having to pan-and-scan in zoom mode to see a webpage. Hell, I don't like browsing on my Toshiba Libretto 110CT--and that's 800x480... (And my complaints are with the screen resolution, not speed--Firefox 3 runs acceptably on it).
Windows 3.1x calc: 3.11 - 3.10 = 0.00
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.