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?

Comments

Nokia n810

[murph]

No recurring fees, I just picked one up for $222.

Re:Nokia n810

[Kamokazi]

Seconded. Very nice device, and has a physical keyboard, unlike the other one likely to get mentioned a lot.

Re:Nokia n810

[fm6]

Somebody who's just pulling up information might not want a keyboard. In which case the N800 makes more sense.

Re:Nokia n810

[bluephone]

Except the N810 is smaller than the N800, has 2GB of storage built in, and the kb slides out like many cell phones for text message addicts. It's an incredible package.

Re:Nokia n810

[kabloom]

A librarian is probably querying a lot, not just pulling up information from predefined bookmarks. I'm sure a keyboard will be greatly appreciated.

Re:Nokia n810

[monopole]

Amen to that. I've got the 770, n800 and an n810. The n810 wins out for this app due to the keyboard, and the size which is small enough to put in your breast pocket or in a belt holster. WiFi is good and the display is fantastic. Onboard GPS sucks but otherwise an excellent device.

Boot time is a bit long, but power management is sufficient to leave on for a long time.
 

Re:Nokia n810

[PopeRatzo]

or in a belt holster.

That's a good look.

Nothing says "sex appeal" like a portable WiFi browsing device in a belt holster.

But there's no law that says everyone has to get laid, so go ahead. Be bold.

Re:Nokia n810

[despisethesun]

The N800 also has the advantage of taking regular SDHC cards, rather than the miniSD used in the N810. The full size ones are cheaper, and the N800 can hold 2 of them. And they can be set up as part of the root file system, if you're technically inclined. Plus miniSD cards can be a pain to find in decent capacities, they're kind of the red-headed stepchild of the SD family.

The on screen keyboard on the N800 is not bad either. Obviously not as good as a physical kb but more than adequate. It's tough to go wrong either way, though, as they're both excellent devices. Definitely the best handhelds available for their purpose.

(Typed out on my N800. :)

Re:Nokia n810

[Anonymous Coward]

Is that the internet in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?

Re:Nokia n810

[despisethesun]

You've clearly never actually used one of the Nokia tablets. They're plenty usable at their size and they fit easily in a pocket. I've gotten a lot more mileage out of mine than I expected when I bought it, and it's become an indispensable tool for managing the network at work. They are, without a doubt, exactly what foxxo was asking for.

Re:Nokia n810

[maxume]

The miniSD thing isn't that big a thing:

4GB for $8:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820211343

16GB for $42 (which is only about $12 out of line with regular size SDHC)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134912

Re:Nokia n810

[FlyingBishop]

I would jump any woman wearing a WiFi browsing device in a belt holster in a second.

Oh, I see what you mean. Nevermind.

Re:Nokia n810

[Rob the Bold]

The belt holster is the pocket protector of the 21st century. But don't worry retro-nerds, the GP assures us it fits in your shirt pocket.

The belt holster is also the pocket protector of the 20th century, used by millions of geeks to carry their slide rules and later their HP calculators.

Re:Nokia n810

[itomato]

With the n810 you can have the best of everything (almost):

- Full Debian installation, including GTK and KDE apps
- Android
- Newton OS via Einstein
- Any platform where an emulator is available for ARM
- Bluetooth, WiFi, Webcam, Skype, built-in GPS (lousy)

All in all, it sounds like the ultimate development package. The major downside is the speed. Application response is a good 10% slower than it should be. A second negative point might be the GPS performance, which is widely reported to be weak, which I can attest to first hand, It's kind of fragile, and doesn't respond well to gravity checks, but the slide-out keyboard and brilliant flip-out stand/finger sling make it usable in a wide variety of situations - standing at a bar, sitting down, plus it comes with a novel vehicle mount. I assume the developers counted on the use of the device in its fulle GPS capacity. No doubt, it would be awesome, but it's just not quite there..

Fifteenthed.

Re:Nokia n810

[theillien]

Or you can get an 8GB microSD with a miniSD adapter. I bought a Kingston kit which came with the microSD card, a mini adapter, standard adapter and USB adapter for $16 from Amazon. I believe the 16GB kit was $25 or so. That said, I thirded the n810 notion. I have the Wimax edition and I'm quite happy with it.

Re:Nokia n810

[carlzum]

That's something I've never heard of, but according to Wikipedia people really walked around with slide rules on their belt.

Some engineering students and engineers carried ten-inch slide rules in belt holsters, and even into the mid 1970s this was a common sight on campuses. Students also might keep a ten-or twenty-inch rule for precision work at home or the office while carrying a five-inch pocket slide rule around with them.

Re:Nokia n810

[Gandalf_Greyhame]

Bonus 2: Can easily carry multiple micro-SD cards on you - normal SD cards are too bulky.

What the hell do you mean, SD cards are too bulky? I mean, FUCK! I know that the micro-SD cards are smaller, but even the normal SD cards aren't exactly massive.

What else don't you carry because they are too bulky? Wallet? Car keys?

Seriously, grow some balls mate!

Re:Nokia n810

[5pp000]

Word on the Net is that the 16GB cards do work, even though Nokia hasn't updated their Web site to mention them. See for example Internet Tablet Talk for confirmation.

Re:Nokia n810

[Anonymous Coward]

Dude... this is a librarian we're talking about.

All this means is she has to take off the belt holster before removing her glasses as the backlighting glistens playfully off her hair while she shakes it out in slow motion and two, maybe three blouse buttons come mysteriously undone revealing ample cleavage before the protagonist realizes that it wasn't actually the popular girl (whom, by the way the librarian had hatched a wacky plot to get the protagonist a date with, which turned out allright but in the end unsatisfying) he was in love with, but the librarian he was best friends with since they were six who everyone only THOUGHT was ugly because... umm... she wore glasses and kept her hair up in a bun. Bonus points if the chorus to Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" is playing, but it would probably be something corny like this song.

Sheez. Haven't you ever seen a movie?

Re:Nokia n810

[Warll]

"Seriously, grow some balls mate!"
They are also too bulky!

Re:Nokia n810

[ozmanjusri]

What the hell do you mean, SD cards are too bulky?

Actually, I have balls and I sort of agree.

SD cards are large enough to get cracked, scratched and broken when I keep them in my pocket. Micro SD are small enough not to be subject to the same damage.

Re:Nokia n810

[AliasMarlowe]

That's something I've never heard of, but according to Wikipedia people really walked around with slide rules on their belt.

And I was one of them. Having a belt holster for a straight slide rule (10-12 inch) was fairly standard among engineers then. I still have a couple of old slide rules at home: a good slide rule is something you don't easily part with.

Re:Nokia n810

[vrmlguy]

Put them in a pouch or tin. Keeps all the cruft out too (if the tin had sweets in, wash it first!).

Now you tell me! I was keeping my microSD cards in an Altoids tin. Then one day I reached for a mint and swallowed 8gb instead.

Low Cost?

[icebike]

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.

Re:Low Cost?

[quickOnTheUptake]

I'm trying to figure out how someone manages to misspell "qwerty"?

Re:Low Cost?

[Anonymous Coward]

He probably uses a querty keyboard, you insensitive clod.

Re:Low Cost?

[pokopoko3k]

They're probably using a Dworak keyboard. (forgive any misspelling-- i'm using Qwerty, obviously)

Re:Low Cost?

[Yold]

Its the U.K. spelling you insensitive clod!

Re:Low Cost?

[commodoresloat]

While it is true that no on-screen keyboard can ever match a physical keyboard in ease of use, I know of a lot of people who are quite fast and accurate at typing on their iPhones, I'm not a big fan of them either, but when you get used to them you can type decently

yeaf it[s grue - I am tyoinh on mu iPhone riggt now and I can ty[e p5etty fadt on tjis thing

iPod Touch

[erayd]

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.

Re:iPod Touch

[erroneus]

I don't think "niche market" means what you think it means.

What you mean to say is that the Nokia devices aren't well known or used by many people. It is QUITE easy to use the the N810 is excellent. I have one. The N800, however, uses memory cards that are more compatible. Both have bluetooth which means a folding bluetooth keyboard can be used on either device. N810 has GPS built in... but I am going off on a tangent. The N8x0 is very easy to use and a lot more web standards compliant than the ipod touch.

Re:iPod Touch

[jmorris42]

> Not sure if you've been to many library web sites... but they tend not to be heavy on Flash.

I dunno about that, we used to not have a lot of javascript crap on em either. The 'web designers' are killing the internet I tell ya. And you kids get off my lawn!

The point being if you do much Internet searching you are bound to hit Flash, Java, etc. And the i* products aren't designed for real Internet access, just the stuff Apple wants you to do on them. The same locked experience as any other browser on a phone, only more from being locked and less from being lame and crufty.

Compare to the Nokia I mentioned which runs a Mozilla based product with a real Adobe ARM port of Flash 9 on a display good enough (800x480) to display real web pages instead of a 'mobile phone' experience that often totally fails unless the site has a special reduced 'mobile' version. Sorry, Apple's stuff looks pretty but the tech is always second rate.

Re:iPod Touch

[erroneus]

No, but it's usage is exactly the same functions as ipod touch. It does more than ipod touch, but otherwise they are extremely comparable devices. A niche market is one that fits a limited range of use or purpose that isn't necessarily mainstream.

Re:iPod Touch

[jmorris42]

> 1. $229 new from Apple, or you can get it cheaper used on eBay, Craigslist, etc.

Yea and an N810 is $259 and a lot more usable AS A WEB BROWSER. Yes the iPod is probably a better music player but that wasn't the question.

> 2. The screen is large and has great resolution.

No. 480x320 is NOT high resolution. Few non mobile phone optimized pages are going to display on that. The N8x0 series has 800x480. Do the math. Hopefully Apple fanbois can still do simple X > Y type reasoning.

> 4. Someone (you) could write a dedicated iPhone/iPod Touch App that does just what you want

And the Nokia runs Mameo, a Linux based open platform. Besides writing a full GTK app you can program something up in one of the SIMPLE SCRIPTING LANGUAGES THAT APPLE FORBIDS. And you don't need to get anything signed by Apple before passing it around. So your point was?

> 5. It's here to stay.

Because we all know Nokia is tettering on the brink of insolvency.

> Alternative: Sony Mylo

Discontinued, no replacement mentioned. You really should LOOK at a URL before you post it. But it really looked like an interesting product, hope Sony does get around to refreshing the line.

Re:iPod Touch

[ceejayoz]

These days no flash == broken.

Uh, to many of us, no Flash == much more functional, not broken.

Re:iPod Touch

[PopeRatzo]

And the i* products aren't designed for real Internet access, just the stuff Apple wants you to do on them.

Now you've done it.

Every time you say something negative about Apple, you make Jesus cry.

Shame on you.

Re:iPod Touch

[Anonymous Coward]

6. It has a decent camera.

There is no camera. Only the iPhone has a camera.

The camera is a lie.

Re:iPod Touch

[jmorris42]

> I still don't get why anyone would design a media browser that doesn't play flash.

Because Flash has enough functionality that, if it were the only way, people could write whole apps with it. And since the iPhone is a totally locked platform it had to go to close off that possibility. Because people would have done it, Apple was correct in their assessment of the risk to the App Store's monopoly. With Apple products you have to realize control is more important than being useful. It just has to look pretty, the Reality Distortion Field will sell the product regardless how many features are missing or how expensive it is.

Re:iPod Touch

[Gizzmonic]

Erroneus, despite your name, you're right. There's a difference between "niche" which means it can only appeal to a small audience (whether by design or inherent limitations) and "obscure" which implies it could appeal to a larger audience, but is not well known. Kinda like noise music vs. the MC5!

Re:iPod Touch

[93 Escort Wagon]

Compare to the Nokia I mentioned which runs a Mozilla based product with a real Adobe ARM port of Flash 9 on a display good enough (800x480) to display real web pages instead of a 'mobile phone' experience that often totally fails unless the site has a special reduced 'mobile' version. Sorry, Apple's stuff looks pretty but the tech is always second rate.

You might consider actually trying the Safari browser on the iPhone or iPod Touch before commenting on the way it works. The browser displays exactly the same thing you'd see on your "real" computer, just smaller - unlike, say, the Windows Mobile version of IE (although even that is changing, finally). Most reviews of the web-browsing experience on the iPhone/Touch have commented on the true HTML rendering of mobile Safari - even those reviews that've lamented the lack of Flash.

People do sometimes write special pages designed for the iPhone's smaller screen; but they could just as easily do the same thing for a Nokia phone or any other small device - and there's no requirement to do any of that.

Re:iPod Touch

[Foofoobar]

Surely, you just THINK you have mans hands. or rather... you just THINK you have mans hands, Shirley.

Re:iPod Touch

[foo fighter]

It's pretty clear you have never seriously used the iPod Touch for web surfing. I dispute your implication that it offers an inferior web browsing experience.

Its 480x320 display is bright and clear. It's web browser is fantastic. I have never wished for or looked for the mobile version of a web site while using it. Its keyboard is good enough to let me enter this post.

It's also important to recognize that the iPod Touch is much smaller than an n-series: about 20% shorter, 20% skinnier, 40% thinner, and 45% lighter. I often forget my iPod touch is in my pocket when going through security. When I evaluated the n800 i gave up trying to walk with it in my pocket.

The merits of either platform are open to debate. I find the Mobile OS X platform to match my needs, but the submitter should look at both before making a decision.

P.S. You come across as much of an immature fanboy as the gp. Please take the level of vitriol and sarcasm down a couple notches.

Re:iPod Touch

[cbhacking]

Heh... Flashblock is nice, but the REAL killer plugin for a handheld web browser is AdBlock Plus (yes, it's available for n800/n810 - there's a plugin repo, and it uses the standard ABP filters). Faster load times, less clutter on the screen (800x480 is a good resolution for a handheld but you still don't want to waste space on ads), and no crappy flash ads at all.

This feature alone makes the n8x0 the best handheld browsing device I'm aware of right now, though I suppose it's only a matter of time until there's an Android browser with ad-blocking.

Sony PSP...

[powerlinekid]

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.

Define 'portable'?

[fractoid]

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.

Re:Define 'portable'?

[EvanED]

"Define 'portable'"? Is "I need something I can carry in my pocket, not a micro-notebook with full keyboard" (FTFS) enough of a definition?

refurb ipod touch

[fermion]

A refub 1st gen iPod touch might be a good bet. As long as there is a wifi connection, it will be able to browse. Under $200.

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.

I'm hoping the Pandora's a good one...

[ckblackm]

http://openpandora.org/index.php

http://openpandora.wordpress.com/

... since I ordered one.. :-)

Used HTC MDA

[Lawrence_Bird]

should be available cheap, put on the opera mobile browser
and you are all set to go.

Yay Wikipedia

[Anonymous Coward]

Just found this on wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Handhelds_with_WiFi_connectivity

800 pixel wide screen a must

[Freedom Bug]

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".

MIssing Info from Question

[mcspoo]

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.

Re:MIssing Info from Question

[jayrtfm]

but she can run vnc on the nokia to access her desktop

Get a Cheap Used Palm Tungsten C

[CAOgdin]

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.

Archos 5 is my current favorite

[russg]

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.

Re:TMobile G1

[Nephroth]

Sorry you took such offense. I do feel the need to defend myself by pointing out that the G1 functions just fine without a sim card and is more than happy to connect to a WAP. Secondly, you can pick up a gently used G1 on ebay for about the cost of an iPod touch and it's an open platform which is something I think most people on slashdot would approve of. Finally, the poster said "no cellphone-style activation and service fees" which simply means that they don't want a contract, just a wap device and most of the devices discussed here are within the 300-400 dollar range anyway so I guess I don't see why it was necessary to be so rude.

Re:I also have all three and prefer the 770

[Rob Simpson]

There's an option for "Device Stays Lit" that can be set to either "when charging" or "never"... but it still turns on the display, only to block almost all of the screen as black and show the text "charging" along with an animated icon. Apparently, this can even cause it to lose power while attempting to charge by USB.

Touch

[shmlco]

Use the Touch with Google's free search app, and you can SPEAK your search term into the system. Works extremely well.

Re:Touch

[RMH101]

Sounds perfect FOR A LIBRARY! I'd love my concentration to be interupted by the googling of the librarians

Actually, it's not the criticism of Apple Products

[weston]

... 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!

Re:Actually, it's not the criticism of Apple Produ

[Phroon]

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.