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.

Star Trek

[Malluck]

So at what point can we start calling these things tricorders and be done with the whole sub-sub-mini-micro-net-note-laptops?

No touch typing?

[schnikies79]

No thanks. I already have a cellphone with a thumb keyboard.

PDA Specs

[SlashdotOgre]

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:infuriating

[paul.tap]

I have to admit I never tried it, but my Nokia N95 has TV out and support keyboards via bluetooth, so there you are. Personally I prefer my Nokia N810 for mobile computing, connecting to the internet via WLAN running Joikuspot on my N95 with a unlimited data subscription with t-Mobile in the Netherlands (HSDPA)

Re:Wanna copy Craig and do exactly like he did?

[TheRaven64]

Cheaper, yes. But the CPU is less than half the speed, it has half as much RAM, a lower-resolution screen, half the battery life, a much older kernel, no X11, no GPU or DSP. Less than half the functionality for half the cost.

Re:infuriating

[morgan_greywolf]

In particular, the touchscreen model, the Thunder, is sold exclusively through Verizon in the U.S.

Re:Other cheaper devices.

[Zerth]

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.

ZAURUS ANYONE!?

[Anonymous Coward]

I already have one of these, but mine is called a Zaurus. It runs Linux, has WiFi, USB, a QWERTY keyboard.....

Comment removed

[account_deleted]

Comment removed based on user account deletion

Re:Phones require phone service

[Jesus_666]

The iPod Touch, however, is twice as fast, has twice the RAM, has a multitouch touchscreen, has twice the screen size (480x320 vs. 320x240), comes with more built-in storage (the smallest version comes with as much as the iKIT can possibly hold; without an additional card (= additional cost) the iKIT has a whopping 25 megs of storage), has access to the Apple App Store with lots of third-party apps, does OpenGL and can play MP3s without performance issues (which the iKIT's CPU apparently can't do when used in cheap MP3 players).

Compared to the iPod Touch the iKIT is ridiculously expensive.

Zaurus

[Anonymous Coward]

I have had a few Sharp Zauruses in the C-3XXX series that did just that a few years ago.

Surprisingly usable, they were...

So, how is this new? This sounds like news from the past coming through a rip in the time-space continuum...