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New Cellphone Sized "Computer" Takes Aim at Sub-Notebooks
Posted by
ScuttleMonkey
on Mon Oct 20, 2008 12:12 PM
from the no-nomad-comparisons dept.
from the no-nomad-comparisons dept.
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.
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infuriating (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:infuriating (Score:5, Insightful)
Cell phone companies would come out with that kind of stuff, if people quit buying cell phones from the service providers, and instead bought them from the cell phone manufacturers.
Parent
Re:infuriating (Score:4, Funny)
That would be great, if their service providers would let them.
And IMOVIO sounds like something one would take to relieve constipation.
Parent
Re:infuriating (Score:5, Interesting)
Parent
Re:infuriating (Score:4, Insightful)
Carriers want you using the easiest phone to support and the phones that use the least data. Highly capable phones are a nightmare, especially when you add in that the average American is as smart as a radish.
They don't really want you to use data, they just want the money for having it available, just like your ISP. So they'll sell you a branded phone, that's locked to hell so you can't do much besides buy ringtones.
Easy solution to locked phones: don't buy them (yes, I just heard thousands of Apple fanboys gasp at the though of not having Steve's latest piece of crap). Go get an unlocked phone and use a GSM carrier, that wasn't so hard was it?
Parent
Re:infuriating (Score:5, Funny)
"especially when you add in that the average American is as smart as a radish."
I'm a radish, and find the comparison insulting.
Parent
Re: (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:infuriating (Score:4, Insightful)
Maybe you ought to move to a country with a live market instead staying in one with a five year plan...
Just sayin.
Parent
Re: (Score:3, Insightful)
Move to another country to get a better cell phone plan? +4 Insightful?
Must be the post-weekend rush of soon-to-expire mod points.
That, or I had no idea how much people cared about cell phone plans.
-b
Small? Go for,high-fidelity tube technology ... (Score:5, Funny)
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.
Parent
Re:Small? Go for,high-fidelity tube technology ... (Score:5, Funny)
Parent
Re:Small? Go for,high-fidelity tube technology ... (Score:5, Funny)
Parent
Re:Small? Go for,high-fidelity tube technology ... (Score:4, Funny)
Parent
Re:Small? Go for,high-fidelity tube technology ... (Score:4, Funny)
It was hard to see, since it was in danger of being crushed by a dwarf...
Parent
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:3, Insightful)
Why not just come up with an easier way to sync/combine your phone and your computer.
Re: (Score:3, Insightful)
OpenMoko (Score:3, Informative)
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?
You can.
http://www.openmoko.com/ [openmoko.com]
While I believe you'd have to use a USB VGA adapter to get a TV-out, you can certainly use it with a mouse and keyboard. (Tragically, it seems most developers do, as the device's built-in UI is still lacking. The OLPC is (about a year after I got it) just approaching tolerable, I suppose it'll take the Freerunner just as long.
Re: (Score:3, Interesting)
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?
I am so waiting for something like that to happen. I think of it more as a pocket-size computer "core" (not sure exactly what it contains - CPU, RAM, SSD, what else? NIC? Video?) that you carry around and can plug into various "carriers" that embody the I/O, display, etc. You might have a small, smartphone-sized carrier for true mobility, a larger one that would be basically a notebook PC minus its motherboard, maybe even a set-top box for when you want to browse in front of your big-screen TV, etc. I
Re: (Score:3, Insightful)
Nokia N810 connecting to the internet via WLAN running Joikuspot on my N95
Thats a little Rube Goldberg. Can I ask why you don't just use bluetooth as God and Nokia intended? You'll get better battery life on the phone, for one thing.
3G Tether (Score:2, Insightful)
Re: (Score:2)
It depends on your plan. I can tether without any extra charges, but I've already got a full unlimited BlackBerry plan.
Re: (Score:2)
Screen pixels? (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:Screen pixels? (Score:5, Interesting)
Parent
Star Trek (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?
Re:Star Trek (Score:5, Funny)
Parent
No touch typing? (Score:5, Informative)
No thanks. I already have a cellphone with a thumb keyboard.
Not unprecedented (Score:5, Insightful)
Computers of this size and form-factor are not totally unprecedented. Things like the Nokia N810 internet tablet [wikipedia.org] 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).
Wanna copy Craig and do exactly like he did? (Score:3, Insightful)
The only thing this new device can offer is a somewhat lower price ($175 instead of >$400 for the N810).
That and it's cheaper than the Pandora [openpandora.org] too.
Re: (Score:3, Informative)
Hasn't this been done before? (Score:3, Interesting)
Compare to a DS with DSOrganize (Score:2)
But does it run Linux (Score:5, Insightful)
2.6?
Let's hope 2.4 stays supported for some time to come.
Nokia (Score:5, Interesting)
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.
Who needs the Internet? (Score:2)
I have an N800, and have a one-hour train ride to work every day. With two 8 GB SDHC chips in it, I'm set for a month of video viewing.
The only reason we are calling this a "Computer" (Score:4, Insightful)
The line between a computer and a pda (Score:3, Insightful)
..goes between whether I can type with it using more than two fingers or not. Fail. Next.
Video glasses (Score:2, Insightful)
Add some video glasses/goggles and I might be interested. The existing screen in to small for real work.
PDA Specs (Score:5, 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 [webitpr.com]
Re: (Score:3, Interesting)
For more info (Score:4, Insightful)
here's [webitpr.com] 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.
We already have cell-phone sized computers (Score:5, Funny)
Do you think I have a decent chance on the speaking circuit as a futurist?
Re: (Score:3, Funny)
You forgot the dire predictions about losing our humanity and ability to socially interact without our technology crutches.
Oh, and robots. You didn't talk about robots.
iPhone? (Score:4, Insightful)
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.
Re: (Score:3, Informative)
Tandy PC-5 (Score:3, Interesting)
It's like they jumped into a time machine... (Score:3, Interesting)
... and went back to 2003! [mobilemag.com] Twice! [tomsguide.com]
Re: (Score:3, Informative)
Actually, I just read the spec sheet somebody posted. It is a beefed up version of the Zipit. Exact same processor, same screen but it has the USB port brought out, microSD instead of miniSD, but with a bit more ram and bluetooth.
More ram+bluetooth isn't really worth another 100 bucks though.
I wonder if this is the same company, or if it is like the Wind/EEE/etc where it a bunch of different companies working off the same reference model.
Naw, EEE PCs are the coolest thing ever... (Score:3, Interesting)
I tried one the other day, it even ran my 3D editor perfectly at speeds which would put one of those old SGI boxes to shame. It has VGA output for big-screen presentations and would have saved me a lot of shoulder ache from lugging a laptop around last month. I'm getting one as soon as I've got a few hundred bucks to spare.
The ONLY thing I can see that this thing has got going for it is the WIFI. With some custom applets it could do all sorts of cool things wirelessly.
Then again, so could an Eee PC...