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.

infuriating

[mcgrew]

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?

3G Tether

[thedak]

Because I hear tethered data connections are cheap. I could see wifi, but I don't see it going very well as a tethered device. That said, at that price point I could see alot of geeks, at least the /. crowd picking them up for novelty value -- so it should well well either way.

Screen pixels?

[David Gerard]

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.

Not unprecedented

[JustinOpinion]

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).

But does it run Linux

[davidwr]

2.6?

Let's hope 2.4 stays supported for some time to come.

Re:infuriating

[corsec67]

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.

The only reason we are calling this a "Computer"

[gblackwo]

Is because unlike our cellphones/pdas which have the same functionality, this is a clamshell design that looks like a shrunken laptop.

The line between a computer and a pda

[Anonymous Coward]

..goes between whether I can type with it using more than two fingers or not. Fail. Next.

Video glasses

[spribyl]

Add some video glasses/goggles and I might be interested. The existing screen in to small for real work.

Wanna copy Craig and do exactly like he did?

[tepples]

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.

For more info

[Seakip18]

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.

iPhone?

[lymond01]

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:infuriating

[mc900ftjesus]

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?

Re:infuriating

[WhatAmIDoingHere]

When you're not plugged into the keyboard/mouse and tv/monitor, you're carrying around a bunch of hardware that will blow through your small cellphone battery in minutes. And if it disables a bunch of stuff and underclocks... You're now carrying around hardware you're not using. For what purpose?

Why not just come up with an easier way to sync/combine your phone and your computer.

Re:infuriating

[Thelasko]

I'll admit it, I was just stealing your high mod points and page location to point out that the Sharp Zaurus had pretty much the same specs as the device mentioned in TFA. There is a reason the Zaurus is no longer made, as you said, the cell phone has replaced it.

Re:infuriating

[mollymoo]

You can buy a phone in the USA for $9.99 delivered, which includes $10 worth of free airtime and doesn't tie you to a contract (Virgin). If you want a camera you have to pay a massive $50 for your phone. That's not expensive for what you get and it's not expensive in absolute terms either. For what you get, mobile phones are absurdly cheap.

Re:infuriating

[Fred_A]

Maybe you ought to move to a country with a live market instead staying in one with a five year plan...

Just sayin.

Re:infuriating

[greyhueofdoubt]

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

Re:infuriating

[quenda]

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.