Suhit Gupta
10-19-2005, 07:00 PM
<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.ehomeupgrade.com/entry/1488/the_pepper_pad' target='_blank'>http://www.ehomeupgrade.com/entry/1488/the_pepper_pad</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Pepper Computer, Inc., announced today that its innovative Pepper Pad is now available through BestBuy.com, the web site of the number one consumer electronics retail store in North America. The Pepper Pad, which began shipping to consumers in July, is the first portable wireless device that gives consumers instant Internet and digital media while also controlling other in-home devices. The Pepper Pad's tightly integrated hardware, software and services make it hassle-free and convenient to use and own. It provides, in a lightweight, ruggedized package: Mozilla-based Web browsing, AOL instant messaging, and e-mail; collecting, organizing and sharing videos, music and photos; and TV and stereo remote control. The suggested retail price of the Pad is $849.99."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/pepper_pad_seated.jpg" /><br /><br />I don't think I commented on the Pepper Pad before, but I was quite impressed when I saw it. My initial reaction was that it is way too huge to be realistically portable. But they are definitely targetting a different market. The device it meant to be something of a all-in-one, a laptop replacement that has a number of applications pre-loaded, almost like an internet device. I can see people using this while sitting in front of the TV or like a tablet, or sharing content on it at a family get-together (type of thing). And usability of the device is quite nice as well. I just feel that it will fail for one of two reasons - either people will dismiss it because of its price or for the same reason that the WebTV product did not take off, i.e. because people would use other more mainstream devices instead. Hmm, time will tell.