PocketSurfer: Pocket Audrey?

[Pat Logsdon]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.brighthand.com/article/PocketSurfer_First_Impressions' target='_blank'>http://www.brighthand.com/article/P...rst_Impressions</a><br /><br /></div><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/logsdon_20040407_psurfer.jpg" /><br /><br />Brighthand has a review up on the PocketSurfer Internet Appliance. Ed Hardy writes: “The PocketSurfer isn't a handheld or a smart phone; instead, it's an accessory for smart phones that brings a much improved web browsing experience. I know, many of you are now thinking, "Just get a cellular-wireless handheld." But recent surveys have shown that a good number of people, maybe even a a small majority, would rather carry two devices if each one does its job better than a combined device does. <br /><br />Brighthand continues: "The PocketSurfer does only one job, but it does it very well. Basically, DataWind has put a full version of Internet Explorer onto a portable device. The PocketSurfer can do almost anything the desktop version of IE can do, including rich HTML, frames, XML, Java applets, and pop-up windows.”<br /><br />Is that one job worth a dedicated device? Not surprisingly, I have an opinion. Read on<!> <br /> <PAGEBREAK><br />No disrespect to Brighthand, but I disagree regarding the usefulness of this device. Anyone remember <a href="http://news.com.com/2100-1040-254497.html?legacy=cnet">the Audrey?</a> That was an internet appliance as well. Neat concept several years ago, but it failed rather spectacularly in less than 6 months. Rewind a decade, and you'll see Sun trying to sell people a box with an ethernet jack and calling it a computer. The idea was that everyone would access their information on a network (powered by Sun servers running Solaris, of course), and applications would be online. <br /><br />Amazingly enough, the idea never took off, for two reasons. First, people like to own stuff. Second, they like to own stuff that does more than one thing. Maybe play a game, listen to music, watch a movie, things like that. A Computer and a PDA have very similar functionality - they’re both multipurpose devices that do many things. Anyone that tries to sell you on the idea of a computer with all of the computer bits stripped out is someone who needs to find a good focus group. <br /><br />Now it’s 2004, and it looks like one of the more nebulous bits of recent vaporware might actually make it to market. Yeah, the PocketSurfer has a big screen. And a keyboard. And a bluetooth radio. Um...yeah, that’s about it. Oh, and it costs $200 and $10 a month (that’s another $120 a year) for a subscription to their proxy server that slices and dices the internet for you. <br /><br />Sure, it can read mail! Web mail, that is. Need to add an attachment to that email? No problem! You'll just need to upload it to the web from your desktop (or Pocket PC) - there's no storage on this device. Games? Of course! Provided they’re non-Flash games that are hosted online somewhere. PIM functionality? You're in luck...if you can find someplace online that wants to sell you that service. <br /><br />Am I missing something here? What does this thing provide that a Pocket PC doesn't? The <a href="http://www.pocketsurfer.net/faq.html">PocketSurfer FAQ</a> attempts to answer this question (emphasis is mine): <br /><br />Q: Why would I need this device instead of my PDA or wireless phone which both access the Web?<br /><br />A: PDAs focus on several applications from contact information to calendars and schedules – the primary focus is not Internet access. PocketSurfer’s™ main focus is to deliver the <i><b>real Web experience </b></i>to the user, faster than any other wireless Web technology.<br />These people don't know about <a href="http://www.bitstream.com/wireless/">Thunderhawk</a>? At $50 a year, it's still $70 cheaper than <a href="http://www.pocketsurfer.net/index.html">Cell Star</a> will charge you, AND it'll work on most Pocket PCs. In case you couldn't tell, I'm not terribly impressed. One year and $320 later, you’ve still got just a screen with the internet on it.

[jkendrick]

A web device that doesn't even do non-browser based email is useless.

[omikron.sk]

For me it looks like quite a stupid and useless gadget, but I think that non-geeks ( :wink: ) will buy this (thinking: YEEEEAH I CAN RALLY SURF THE WEB FROM ANYWHERE!!) = never-seen-any-pocket-pc-guys

[dorelse]

Well, Audrey might have been a commercial failure, but she's still alive and kicking at our house.

Its fits all my wifes needs (and wants for that matter). Its very simple, intuitive, and easy to use. Do I wish it had a better screen, absolutely. If there were an updated version we'd be first (and probably the only ones) in line.

Its been a great device for our needs...granted a lot of that is dependent on me syncing my old Visor Edge between my work PC & Audrey so she knows what nights I'm busy and what nights I'm not.

I know Audrey didn't meet a lot of people's expectations, although with some nice calendar enhancements, it could have been a bigger hit.

Its also still a great conversation piece at our house too.

Oh, and I'd take Audrey any day over this thing...although a blown up PPC with a keyboard would probably fit the bill nicely!

[dave]

don't let the folks at RIM see that keyboard. looks like patent infringement to me.

i seem to remember reading that RIM had patented the oval keys angling away from the center of the keyboard. kind of a weak patent claim, but i've certainly seen weaker from the likes of amazon.

then again, i could have just made this up.

[Zack Mahdavi]

It looks good, but I don't think it will appeal to anyone here at Pocket PC Thoughts.. we use our handhelds for surfing... sure, this device may give a better surfing experience, but that doesn't mean we'll carry 3 devices in our pocket!

It will be interesting to see which market picks up this device...

[netboy]

"Its sleek design measures 5.98 inches by 2.97 inches by .58 inches (with case closed)"

i like it! but it just too damn big/long to fit in my pocket. my ipaq 4155 is only 4.47 x 2.78 x .53 in.
i think this device is a bit too late.. i'm sure mobile 2003 SE can surf web just like desktop too (atleast that' what i hoping)..

[Candygogo]

Like someone else mentioned, this will probably be a boon to non geeks/geekettes alike. The manufactures of this device are trying to make it seem that a pda is a complicated thing and that if you mainly want mobile web surfing, then this is the way to go. All the 'extras' that are in a pda like basic PIM functions, storage space, games, etc...arent't that important.

Or they can always get a pda for all that extra stuff anyway... :roll:

[Tom W.M.]

Too limited, too low a resolution, and WAY too expensive.

Nice form-factor though. I'd like an H/PC that small (but with a useable keyboard and MozillaFirefox as the browser?no proxy server for me).

[Perry Reed]

I remember this from a previous post. It's not for Pocket PC users for sure, but for less techie folks, I can see the usefulness. And it's a clever idea, too.

There are still two big drawbacks, IMHO:

1. That keyboard! I hate thumb typing. The device is nearly big enough for a small but REAL keyboard. Something like the Stowaway would be nice.

2. The proxy service. The screen is 640 wide, why would I need to reformat all my web content via a proxy? $200 I might spend, but $200 + $10/Month? No way.

[acronym]

2 questions:

1. how difficult will the hardware/software be to hack?
2. how long until tigerdirect sells the leftovers at bottom prices?

/audrey running just fine with an infinity image & resistor swap

[Delta737]

I would have liked it, if it would have built-in e-mail and WIFI! That would make the device appealing to me, but like this I won't consider buying it!

[Jonathon Watkins]

Well, Audrey might have been a commercial failure, but she's still alive and kicking at our house.

Its fits all my wifes needs (and wants for that matter). Its very simple, intuitive, and easy to use. Do I wish it had a better screen, absolutely. If there were an updated version we'd be first (and probably the only ones) in line.

Its been a great device for our needs...granted a lot of that is dependent on me syncing my old Visor Edge between my work PC & Audrey so she knows what nights I'm busy and what nights I'm not.

When I was working at 3Com I sat in the next cube along to Audrey guys. I was there when it was cancelled. Sad times. :cry: It was a good concepts, slightly before it's time that was not adequately supported by the company.

I know Audrey didn't meet a lot of people's expectations, although with some nice calendar enhancements, it could have been a bigger hit.

Yes, it's a real shame they dropped it. :|

I wonder who will next take the concept and make it work. Some folks are trying a DIY approach (http://techreport.com/etc/2004q2/kitchen-pc/index.x?pg=1)- but Audry II based on PPC would really be something! :D

[hotweiss]

This would be a great buy if there wasn't a $10 month service accompanying this device. With the new PDA's having high resolution screens, there isn't much room in the market for a device like this.
It seems that venture capitalists have a lot of money to play with and that IT people have a lot of ideas. How qualified these ideas are is the point in question. In my opinion this device is not innovative enough to make it to the second round.

[netboy]

this thing is just too BIG! it they make it the same size as ipaq 4155 and can fit in my pocket.. then i will get one..

[Tom W.M.]

1. how difficult will the hardware/software be to hack?
I'd guess pretty hard—the proxy server must do most of the page rendering, just passing on the bare minimum to the device, lowering it's hardware requirements. Otherwise there's no way for them to hit this price point and make money. So there's probably not much worth hacking besides the screen. Also, their page load claims would be hard to reach (about 8 seconds for every page) if the device were doing the rendering itself. All of this is pure speculation, of course.

Nice name, Acronym. :)

[fyiguy]

Well, Audrey might have been a commercial failure, but she's still alive and kicking at our house.

Its fits all my wifes needs (and wants for that matter). Its very simple, intuitive, and easy to use. Do I wish it had a better screen, absolutely. If there were an updated version we'd be first (and probably the only ones) in line.

Its been a great device for our needs...granted a lot of that is dependent on me syncing my old Visor Edge between my work PC & Audrey so she knows what nights I'm busy and what nights I'm not.

I know Audrey didn't meet a lot of people's expectations, although with some nice calendar enhancements, it could have been a bigger hit.

Its also still a great conversation piece at our house too.

Oh, and I'd take Audrey any day over this thing...although a blown up PPC with a keyboard would probably fit the bill nicely!


I had hacked a few of these myself and learning its QNX OS actually helped in troubleshooting a Nicolet Voyageur EEG(which is based on QNX) at work...

One was for the Entertainment room used to pull up Homeseer, DVD Profiler info,Network cameras, as well as an interface as a Remote Media Center controller. and serves as a Digital photo frame when it isn't being used. The kids have another one basically for surfing Flash based sites, simple email and voice messages, and for simple drawing...

I had a third that I was going to make into an in wall control panel, but I felt I could do more with an old PPC and someone at work was more than happy to buy it off my hands after seeing what I had done with it...

It is amazing that these things went for $89 at Tigerdirect, I had picked up the other 2 for $50 each off of eBay with network adapters...it was a fun project...

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

Well... I can't see a lot of reason for anyone with a PPC or laptop computer to want to invest in this. And certainly anyone who works in one location (doesn't travel) and has a computer at home might find this device to be limited as well.

For me, it just doesn't provide enough function to justify carrying a device of that size around with me.