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Best Wi-Fi Portable Browsing Device?
foxxo writes "I'm a library worker, so I get lots of questions about our collection when I'm out in the stacks. I'd love to be able to access our online catalog and give patrons more comprehensive guidance without directing them to the reference desk. What options are available for a portable device with Wi-Fi connectivity, full-featured Web browsing, and (most importantly) no cellphone-style activation and service fees? Size is important, too; I need something I can carry in my pocket, not a micro-notebook with full keyboard. (And I am a library worker, so low cost is key!)" One device that sounds interesting in this category is the GiiNii Movit (not yet released, but shown off at CES). What can you recommend that's out there now?
No recurring fees, I just picked one up for $222.
I don't care about your karma, I don't care about what's hip. --Weird Al
iPhone or iPod touch, assuming what you want to access is browser based.
Low price? Not so much, but if you have one anyway... Or were looking for a tax write off this might be the way to go.
Sig Battery depleted. Reverting to safe mode.
My Nokia N-800 isn't bad. It's pocket-sized and has a decent web browser. I've switched now to an Android G1, so I don't know about recent developments. You do have to use the stylus to use the keyboard though. I've heard that the newer model has a pop-out keyboard, so that might be better.
Gotta say the cheapest iPod touch is probably going to be a good bet here, particularly as it's a wifi-only device; you don't have to buy a whole cellphone at the same time.
Forget world peace, bring on -1 pointless
Surprisingly its my PSP that I usually break out in situations where I need to browse the web but can't be at the computer. Yes its a game system but the wifi\browser are fairly decent if you can live without WPA2. I'm not too sure what else is out there, but a PSP can be purchased in the $150 to $200 range.
can't sleep slashdot will eat me
For sitting in a wifi coffee shop, I'd say my Eee 900 is a great compromise. Then again, having watched my friend playing with his iPhone I'd have to say that, for ultraportable / ultraconvenient / always with you access, the iPhone (or iPod touch) are probably the best you can get.
Rampant carbon sequestration destroyed the Dinosaurs' tropical paradise. I'm here to help repair the damage.
Work with wi-fi.
How about a good old HP Ipaq with Wi-Fi to connect to your own network? Check them out here http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/can.do;HHOJSID=JbhsJ0gRVTyJS4M8kthGtn9GVVQ2dVLy2dnJjVMGN1t30Pmmpzmw!2025033603?landing=handheld&category=HP&catLevel=1&storeName=storefronts&lanAttr=Type
The iPAQ 110 is fairly new and if you replace pocket IE with something a bit better like Opera Mobile it would work pretty well. You can get it for around $200, depending on where you look.
If you have a Nintendo DS Lite, you can pick up the Nintendo DS Lite Browser cartridge that runs Opera for about $70.
Elegance is for tailors. -A. Einstein
On another note, I think this is where Amazon really missed the market for the Kindle. If it had wifi, and had a web browser, then the kindle would be one of the greatest pieces of hardware on the market, and perfect for this type of application. Of course if it had wifi, then Amazon would certainly lose revenue on book sales and would not be able to pay the cell phone bill that currently allows wireless delivery.
In any case, there are a number of option out there, but wifi without cell phone there is no choice, and most other options are twice the price fo the touch.
"She's a scientist and a lesbian. She's not going to let it slide." Orphan Black
http://openpandora.wordpress.com/
should be available cheap, put on the opera mobile browser
and you are all set to go.
I absolutely love mine. The browser is excellent for a mobile device, the hardware is robust, and the physical keyboard/trackball makes browsing a breeze. The browser supports java, and will also soon support flash, you really can't ask for more.
Our greatest enemy is neither a single man, nor is it a nation, it is, as it has always been, our own greed.
if there is one device that has absolutely nailed the portable web browsing category, it's the iPhone. I've used Blackberry devices, Windows Mobile smartphones, a bit of Symbian and Palm, and nothing could render most of the web as good as Portable Safari has been able to.
Additionally, they can be found for under $200.
Just found this on wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Handhelds_with_WiFi_connectivity
I have a Nokia N810, and think the 800 pixel wide screen is its killer feature. With an 800 pixel screen you can run any web site and not be stuck in the "mobile ghetto".
I own a nokia 770 and it works quite nicely for simple browsing, I can imagine it would be just fine for a simple library webpage. they can picked up for not too much if you keep your eyes open on ebay, around $50 maybe. The only problem with it is having to use the stylus for the keyboard. If that isn't acceptable to you, then the ipodtouch is probably your best bet with it's better on-screen keyboard.
Think the question missed an important point: does she want to be able to search from a web-enabled OPAC or does she need to use Windows in order to access a ILS system? As an example: Sirsi uses software called "Workflows" to access the actual ILS (Integrated Library System) in order to search the catalog, place, holds, order items, etc. The only approved OS's for this software is Windows XP (and Vista... just barely). This discludes just about any Android or Linux enabled device, but her mileage may vary by what ILS her library relies upon. If that's the case, then you can find examples of this at libraries around the nation. As an example, South Lyon Library in MI has "Roaming Reference" capability through the use of Tablets. Some of the newer Netbooks are likely more than capable as well, if not quite as portable.
Put in a cheap WiFi Router in the Library (set for 802.11b only; the Palm can do 802.11g), and WEP for security (if you must; why not let others use the same database?). Cost: About $35 Now, buy a used Palm Tungsten C from eBay (about $75), and make sure the seller guarantees the WiFi will work (many don't). Now you have, for roughly $125, your own link to the network, and no further monthly expenses. I've got lots of clients where we do this; I use my Tungsten with those system almost every day.
You need to keep in mind what kind of wireless network is available.
My school dropped 802.11b a year ago (only 802.11g now), so some devices(i.e. Sony Mylo Com-1) simply can't see the network. The network is secured via 802.1x/WPA2, so some devices that can connect don't have the software to authenticate(i.e. Sony PSP).
Borrow a friend's iPod Touch and see if it fits the bill. It's the obvious choice to me unless you require Flash.
I keep my iMac's built-in Airport turned off because, sadly, I have nothing else to connect to it. (Yes, I too am on a budget). But an iPod Touch or similar device would be nice. I've read in David Pogue's "OS X Missing Manual" that you can share the Mac's internet connection to computers using Airport. Seems simple enough; I'm just curious if anyone is doing this.
Oh, yeah, it's not easy to pad these out to 120 characters.
I've got a Sharp Zaurus 6000 that has all of the features you're looking for: built-in wifi, a physical keyboard, and a sharp and bright touchscreen. The later zauruses might be even better with the clamshell design and better battery life. The only drawback is that they're not as easy to find since Sharp discontinued selling them in the US.
If you don't mind getting the WiFi from a compactflash wifi adapter instead of being build-in, the older 5500's turn up frequently for a reasonable price.
Where does the school board find them and why do they keep sending them to ME?
I'm surprised no one's suggested Kindle yet. From what I've read, it would fit a few use cases.
Can you be Even More Awesome?!
Some older Palms have Wifi with decent browsers. I'm fairly sure they support Javascript. They'd be nice and cheap, but their battery life is limited.
--<Mike>--
psycho-phone with full web browser.
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Have a look at the Archos devices. You can pickup some of the older models with Wifi as refurbished.
My Archos 5 is my, surf, watch movies, store data, listen to music, and play games device. The current 5 and 7 are called "Internet Media Tablets".
With Opera as the browser and flash support its really a nice internet experience for a small device.
How about a "Touch Pad" from Always innovating. They claim a 10 - 15 hour battery life. Can operate as a netbook style device or slide out the monitor from the keyboard for tablet style interaction. http://www.alwaysinnovating.com/touchbook/
I often do something fairly similar. I'll go to pick up something and end up cruising in the stacks. There I will browse. When browsing I'll often see something I want to read. The question then is do we have it? With the Opera Browser loaded into my Nintendo DS, I can login to the WiFi link and pull up the catalog. When I'm done, I shut the DS, drop it into a pocket and move on. It works like a dream! Also, even if the kit is bought new, it is pretty cheap too. I bet with second hand equipment, it could be got for under $100. Oh yes, the few students who have seen me do this seem to think that it is pretty cool too.
The keyboard on the n810 is almost perfectly flat with a hairline space between keys. Hitting multiple keys is extremely easy, and it is necessary to look at the keys while carefully clicking with my fingernails. The thumbboard on my Tungsten C is a fraction of the size, but far more useful. Even the popup stylus keyboard on the 770 is less trouble. The 770 automatically goes into suspend when the metal cover is flipped back on - unlike the slide button on the n810 that can get triggered accidentally - and it doesn't insist on wearing out the screen while charging.
my hiptop 3 phone is great for very simple websites on the road (although it is slow - but cheaper than being on a next-g plan and more coverage in austrlaia). I use the N800 in my bed just for looking at youtube, etc also a great alarm clock (although an expensive one if you were to use it just for that). I'm using the N810 OS for it atm because it proved to be much smoother for youtube streaming etc. I upgraded this over a year ago but haven't done any recent updates (cbf'd). There is also many useful apps for these devices too.....
Use the Touch with Google's free search app, and you can SPEAK your search term into the system. Works extremely well.
Any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so.
The n810 keyboard is pretty bad - the keys take serious effort to use, and the layout is counter-counter-intuitive.
I find it faster to use the on-screen job with my fingers than the keyboard, but I have fairly large digits.
... that bugs.
It's this habit that the anti-fanbois -- a population much more rabid and present on Slashdot than actual strawman fanbois bandied about here -- have of insulting anybody who has decided the Apple products meet their needs best.
Apple Fan: I really like my iProduct! It fits
AntiFanbois: Pshaw. *MY* favorite product had the features I prefer two years earlier! I see no value in iProduct! People who buy it are stupid and easily distracted by shiny things!
Apple Fan: You're kindof a jerk.
AntiFanbois: See? Apple Fans can't take well-reasoned criticism of their beloved products! It's a cult!
Apple Fan: I'm not sure we can be friends.
AntiFanbois: See? They isolate you socially! Totally a cult!
Tweet, tweet.
I carried a Palm T|X for quite a while, and in fact used it as my primary internet access device for a while. It worked rather famously for me.
It has a nice, large screen (Both physically and given the ability to hide the input area, resolution wise, it's a usable QVGA), 802.11b (Do you really need g for this application?), takes a SD card (Though if all you're using it for is the stated purpose, that's beside the point.), easily slips into a pocket and there are three browsers that I can think of off the top of my head, so the odds are good that you can find one that will play well with your ILS site.
I've seen them on eBay for 50-200 dollars,, though I might suggest being wary of the lower end of the cost spectrum, given that there are some issues with the power button on them.
The other thing I'd suggest if you go this route is to pick up one of the aluminum hard shell cases (About $45 last time I bought one.). I carried my T|X in one for three years, in a highly physical profession and never had any damage to the device itself, though I did have to replace the case once. (You try crawling into a car wreck and lying on a iPhone for 45 minutes, tell me how well it holds up.)
(Unkie) Reamus
I needed a sig so people would know who I am, but I was too drunk to make something witty, so you get this instead.
Skyfire is pretty good on Windows Mobile as well.
But there are some good reasons to get a Windows Mobile phone (or Nokia) over an iPhone.
1) Full Qwerty physical keyboards if you want them.
2) Screen size/resolution. N800/N810 on the Nokia side and the HTC Touch HD/Toshiba Portege G910 all sport 800x480 screens.
Owning both the HTC Touch HD and the iPhone, the HD is a far superior device for web browsing, simply because of the screen (and the well integrated Opera browser). On the Touch HD, you rarely have to zoom to view a page, but as it's not available in the US cheaply, it's not really an option here.
However, the Nokia 800/810 are available, in a similar price range and have the screen. Once you get used to the high res, you can't go back to browsing on the iPhone.
IMHO, the iPod Touch is a terribly overrated device. It's too small, slow and buggy to be useful for anything more than light use as a web browsing device.
If you like the Movit, you might also consider the AI Touchbook.
STFU about slashdot bias.
N810, I second it..I mean, 516th it.
It's all well and good that you may like these devices but please, pay attention to requirements and stop acting like systems engineers.
... because, unlike the Nokia, you probably know someone who owns a touch or an iPhone and you can test it before buying! Or, if the online resources are web-accessible (as opposed to only available in the library) you can just go to an Apple store (if there's one nearby) and check one out there. Not that I have anything against the Nokia, but there's no reason to buy something sight-unseen if you don't have to. If it looks like the iPod won't work for you, you can consider alternatives. The Nokia tablets have larger screens but the iPod's pan-and-zoom system works pretty well and its small size is great.
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First we had Fanbois; but they went out of control and we were forced to create the AntiFanbois.
But the AntiFanbois too went out of control, and here we see the development of the Anti-Anti-Fanboi.
I fear this arms race will never end.
First, a note - if you just need a curses or other CLI based interface, theoretically, any PDA device or PDA phone should work.
Palm Tungsten or TX devices work OK, and Blazer works decently on the "mobile" version of King County (WA) Library's online catalog. It has a time parsing the full website however. Tungsten E2 devices run about $150 on Ebay. Note, too, that Tungstens and Tungsten E2s require a device to be added on through the SD card port on top to achieve wifi - beyond that, the line I think has inbuilt wifi.
Windows Mobile devices work OK, but Pocket IE is going to have the same issues parsing sites that Blazer does on the Palm devices.
From there, the Nokia tablets work incredibly well, and parse web pages better than the above PDA devices.
Going up in price, of course, you have the newer web-enabled phones - T-Mobile offers the G1, Samsung Behold and Memoir (the latter of which is just a Behold with a good res camera stapled to it), and other carriers will offer similar devices. Note, though, that at this point we're entering into the realm of cellphones - so this is probably going to be more than you need, especially since most libraries that I know of frown upon people using their cellphone inside their buildings.
Didn't mention the iPhone (aw, dammit!) because the keyboard interface...well, it's not a full keyboard, it's a keyboard-like interface that you would require one finger for. Two and that means that you have dropped the phone, put it on a table, or are good with your index and middle fingers. The iPod Touch is right out in that regard - the iPhone is basically a iPod Touch with a GSM phone in it.
This sig no verb.
I have to say that it sounds like an Ipod Touch is what this person needs.
The reason why I'd recommend the touch over the Nokia Tablets is simply its a bit thinner and smaller and can fit easier and more comfortable in pockets. Although the Nokia tablets have a built in keyboard and higher resolution, I prefer putting the Ipod Touch in my pockets far more often because of the size of it. Also, the resolution on the Ipod Touch doesn't seem as big of a problem as I thought because the zoomming features of the built in Safari web browser is actually really really good. In my opinion, it works better than the Opera browsers on the Nokia devices. But if you need Flash, then the Ipod Touch wont work for you.
This being said, I use my Dell Mini9 netbook most of the time I go places. Simply it allows the most functionality with a somewhat typeable keyboard.
I brought an OLPC with me on vacation. With XBuntu the thing rocks! No moving parts, Water-proof when closed. Super wi-fi antennas. Hi-res daylight readable screen. Super light and easy to carry around.
Only prob is it's not too slow to run flash but a bit too slow for flash video :(. If they fixed that it would be a total dream though.
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I do a lot of work in libraries, and the n800/n810 wins here.
Say what you will about Apple's nice toys, the n800/n810's 800x480 screen is key for library catalogs (I use a n800, but I gather the n810 is what you can get these days). If you've been to many libraries, you know that catalogs tend to display a lot of information that is handy to have on the screen at the same time (such as title, call number, status), and they don't usually format it for a mobile browser.
I'm sure the iPod Touch has a prettier browsing experience, but for running this sort of work, the n810 wins.
Some library sites do run flash, by the way. And I can understand why Apple wouldn't implement Flash: that crap can chunder a slower device into tiny pieces. Apple's aiming for a consistent user experience; Nokia's letting their users take the device to the limit and beyond.
If only they had thought of the Anti-Anti-Anti-Fanboi! The fools! When will they ever learn?!?
I fear this arms race will never end.
Which will result in quite some arms...
Soon, the world of swimming will be dominated by former slashdoters.
You've ended your comments with these sentences:
You must be an advertiser, copywriter, lawyer, toastmaster, or simply someone very experienced with writing conclusions. You write very well.
My admirations.
Flash is a interpreted programming environment using its own video rendering, its own code-base, and in most cases, its own internal language-within-a-language API-set to make matters worse. All of this runs floating high atop the application-layer. Even Java, as a language, has the *possibility* of JIT and hooking native graphics/text engines.
Flash is simply the most inefficient way to build anything today. Yes, all that inefficiency buys compatibility, but at a tremendous cost that no portable-device hw engineer should have to bail-out. I don't blame Apple in the least for baring the biggest sham bloat-ware to hit the internet to date. Flash is a shining example of all thats wrong with the computer industry today. Kudos to Apple for realizing this.
(Now, the fact is that I've not seen this said here, so either the Adobe Flash Gestapo has mind-controlled the slashdot mod's or else there's not true OSI-wielding code monkey left in these parts, sad.)
Lisa: "But then we're stuck with anti-anti-fanbois!"
Skinner: "When wintertime rolls around, the anti-anti-fanbois will simply freeze to death"
See, it's simple!
Doesn't use WiFi, it uses the mobile 'phone network, but you don't have to sign-up and you pay nothing for access. You can browse the web, subscribe to blogs, access wikipedia and it has a built in copy of the US OED. And the battery lasts for days with the 'phone connection turned on and weeks with it turned off.
;)
Oh and you can download and read books on it as well. (Quite a few classics on Amazon are free. As in beer.)
Bad analogies are like waxing a monkey with a rainbow.
Tablet - not yet for sale but hopefully will be some day. Cheap and portable device is their goal, but will not fit in you pocket.
http://search.techcrunch.com/query.php?s=TechCrunch+tablet
Try the iPhone or iPod Touch (iPhone without the phone), both very good for what you need.
I have to second the iPod Touch. The browser is substantially more responsive and functional than that of the Nokia Internet Tablets, and the device is much smaller as well. For this application the only real downside is the lack of a physical keyboard.
I used maemo devices for a long time, and I like them well enough, but honestly the iPod is going to provide a much better user experience if all you want to do is use a web browser. The maemo devices can certainly do *more* things, but none of those things are going to be useful in this case.
Why not suggest to your manager that it would be useful to have a some computers out in the stacks?
I would have never thought I'd be happy with a Windows Mobile device, but the X1 is stylish, rock solid and syncs well with my Linux work stations.
NN
Look around and you can have it for about $200 new
-- Programming with boost is like building a house with lego. It's a cool but I wouldn't want to live in it
"I'm a library worker, so I get lots of questions about our collection when I'm out in the stacks. I'd love to be able to access our online catalog and give patrons more comprehensive guidance without directing them to the reference desk."
Okay, but how does your supervisor feel about that idea?
A reference librarian's entire job is to help patrons find relevant information, and they had to earn a graduate degree in the field in order to get that job. A "library worker", who has been tasked with re-shelving books in the stacks, is not a capable substitute. Even if he/she has a wifi-enabled PDA.
I've worked as a page myself, I know that patrons will always approach the first member of the library staff they spot. But when somebody has a reference question, the only appropriate response is to direct them to a reference librarian for assistance
I'm surprised I pretty much hit the bottom of the page before I saw the iPod Touch mentioned. While a lot of people here just don't like anything Apple, it does seem to be a good choice for what this librarian wants. Heck, there might be some good free apps she could download and use too for the library?
Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.........
...and nobody's thinking of the children!!! :O
Plenty of people are talking about the Nokia Internet Tablet series, but I actually have one for sale right now. It's a great device, but not quite what I was looking for. I now own an Acer Aspire One.
I Do C++
The Palm T|X is among the most flexible, portable, Wi-Fi enabled devices out there, and should fit your needs really well. If you can find one, of course. {ProfJonathan}
Shhhhh! He works in a LIBRARY, you insensitive clod!
Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
My Nokia N800's on-screen keyboard constantly disappoints me. I may trade to the N810 just for a decent way to do quick text entry. (For document editing with my N800 I use an Apple Wireless Keyboard.)
You forgot to throw some homophobic line in there for the AntiFanbois--because when you disagree, call somebody gay.
Of course it's not. But that doesn't stop an outpouring of anger whenever someone even suggests that there is some small area in which Apple products can be improved.
I've seen people flamed here because they thought the iPod Touch is too expensive.
I'm sorry, pal, but your efforts to turn Apple Fanbois into victims just isn't going to fly.
You are welcome on my lawn.
Do you know what homosexuals call Apple Fanbois?
Gay, but not in a good way.
You are welcome on my lawn.
http://www.google.com/products?q=zaurus&oe=UTF-8&hl=en&show=li&lnk=showgrid
Too bad the BB Bold's software stinks compared to Maemo and Android.
“Common sense is not so common.” — Voltaire