I'm not impressed by the poor quality of the pictures. They look very unexperimented-amateur-ish: how can we actually compare the units if you place dark devices on a dark background? Then the lack of good lighting makes it even harder. Very amateurish again.
Then many reviewers stack devices and shoot the side and top, even the bottom to better show their thickness, length and connectivity.
I'm very surprised that Suhit, the digital media "expert" reports "From a media perspective, one of the downsides is that there are no flash ports for SD/CF/whatever. Now, even though there is a 20GB drive built in, if I were taking pictures and wanted to transfer them real quick to my OQO, I would not be able to do it." (emphasis added) The "expert" seems to ignore the availability of credit card sized USB all-in-one card readers.
When talking about the high (everything's relative) price of the OQO, Kati seems to ignore the enormous success of the iPod mini which reflects that people tend to prefer smaller and lighter devices vs more capable and powerful ones.
This user behavior amazes me as well, but the iPod mini's success shows a trend that the OQO is surfing on.
I'll also add that Thinkoutside's Stowaway XT Bluetooth foldable keyboard includes a device stand to prop it. For our Slovakian friend, omikron.sk, this PPC sized foldable keyboard makes a very portable solution, FYI.
Besides, some readers suggestions that a notebook with a PPC is a smarter (read less expensive) solution. I have 2 bad news for you: trraditional notebooks can't fit in a shirt pocket and PPCs don't include a 20 GB HDD, don't run WinXP apps, don't include 256 MB RAM, a Firewire and USB connectors, can't offer full print capabilities, can't drive desktop keyboards, screens, scanners, optical drives/burners, etc. etc.
For those who insist on a one handed solution, this is highly overrated: I don't know abour your PPC but mine (Axim X5), the iPaq 2210 and the Toshiba e805 and probably most others still require the use of 2 hands for turning it on, pressing a hardware launch button, using the dpad, etc. etc.
Life is made of multiple compromises in every aspect, and the OQO offers the better ones in pocketable computing.
And thousands of US corporations understand this well as they've been that many to want to enter OQO's pilot program, and this without any commercial ads.
So imagine the OQO's huge success with nice, enticing ads running in nationwide newspapers and TV channels. I can 8)
On the plus side the article mentions the possibility to intelligently and efficently pair the OQO with a smartphone and use each one's strenghts in different situations.
It's great to see this thing finally getting ready to be sold. It's been talked about for - what - three year now? Still, I'm not going for it. I don't think there's anything wrong with the price, It's just that they took so long to bring this thing into actual production, that it's already behind the times. USB1.1? 20GB? I'll wait for the flipstart PC from Vulcan. It's rumored to be in the 1200-1500 price range, has USB 2.0, and a 30GB hard drive. Best of all, the flipstart is a hinged device, so there is no worry about screen protection.
edit: Actually the best part of the flipstartPC is the LID (Low power Interactive Display)
I'm not impressed by the poor quality of the pictures. They look very unexperimented-amateur-ish: how can we actually compare the units if you place dark devices on a dark background? Then the lack of good lighting makes it even harder. Very amateurish again.
I'll make sure to tell the OQO folks that next time they should bring a white tablecloth and increase the lighting in their meeting room if they want good pictures. :roll: Looks fine on my monitor.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jlp
Then many reviewers stack devices and shoot the side and top, even the bottom to better show their thickness, length and connectivity.
I'm very surprised that Suhit, the digital media "expert" reports "From a media perspective, one of the downsides is that there are no flash ports for SD/CF/whatever. Now, even though there is a 20GB drive built in, if I were taking pictures and wanted to transfer them real quick to my OQO, I would not be able to do it." (emphasis added) The "expert" seems to ignore the availability of credit card sized USB all-in-one card readers.
He was surprised it wasn't built-in. Which is what he said. Your use of quotes around "expert" is very insulting, as well as your "amaturish" statements. If you want to discuss what you see as the plusses and the minuses of the article, that's fine, but do it without being insulting, please.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jlp
When talking about the high (everything's relative) price of the OQO, Kati seems to ignore the enormous success of the iPod mini which reflects that people tend to prefer smaller and lighter devices vs more capable and powerful ones.
The price of the ipod mini is much less than $2K. And I didn't say that *no one* would buy it. Just that most people probably won't pick this over a $1200 laptop. Remember - the people that go to these shows, and the people that visit these forums, tend to have higher technological requirements/desires than the "average" person.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jlp
I have 2 bad news for you: trraditional notebooks can't fit in a shirt pocket and PPCs don't include a 20 GB HDD, don't run WinXP apps, don't include 256 MB RAM, a Firewire and USB connectors, can't offer full print capabilities, can't drive desktop keyboards, screens, scanners, optical drives/burners, etc. etc.
Well, my pockets wouldn't fit the OQO or the stowaway Bluetooth keyboard. And my purse is even too small. So I have to carry a separate bag anyway. Plus, if I'm traveling, I usually have a carryon for "stuff to do" that fits my laptop regardless.
Again, I'm not saying this is a horrible device - I think it's cute. I'm not saying that no one should use it. I'm saying that I don't think *everyone* will use it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jlp
Life is made of multiple compromises in every aspect, and the OQO offers the better ones in pocketable computing.
This depends on the needs of the user. Not everyone is willing to make the same compromises. But unless the device suddenly gets a 1.5GHz processor and at *least* 512 MB RAM, there's no way I could make it my main machine even if I wanted to. So a pocketable XP device is currently not in the cards for me. But a PPC is, as I like having a PDA, and the instant-on is very helpful for looking up contacts and such.
Please, try to remember that everyone doesn't share your needs. It's a nice machine, but that doesn't mean that it doesn't have flaws. It's a question of WHICH flaws any one individual can tolerate. For some, perhaps even many, the flaws of the OQO may be minor or of no consequences. For others, they will be a deal-breaker.
I'm not impressed by the poor quality of the pictures. They look very unexperimented-amateur-ish: how can we actually compare the units if you place dark devices on a dark background? Then the lack of good lighting makes it even harder. Very amateurish again.
In addition to what Kati said, we spent less than 5 minutes taking those shots. If you think it's so easy, try photographing handheld devices on the spot. It is not, and I have tried many, many times. The one I regret that we didn't take was a "shot in the hand" to give a better idea of scale.
Quote:
Then many reviewers stack devices and shoot the side and top, even the bottom to better show their thickness, length and connectivity.
Agreed -- and if this was a review, we'd have done so. It was not - it was a quick look during a short meeting.
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The "expert" seems to ignore the availability of credit card sized USB all-in-one card readers.
It's a feature he wants. Note that PDAs have that built-in CF slot, for example, which makes it extremely convenient to view pictures on them. Try dangling a USB reader while walking down the street trying to view pictures.
Quote:
When talking about the high (everything's relative) price of the OQO, Kati seems to ignore the enormous success of the iPod mini
To be precise, the iPod Mini is $249. The OQO, from our indications, will cost ~ $1,800 or $1,900. The iPod Mini is perhaps a "premium", but it's in a totally different price bracket.
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which reflects that people tend to prefer smaller and lighter devices vs more capable and powerful ones.
If that's the case, they'll prefer PDAs (smaller and lighter) to OQOs (more powerful and capable).
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This user behavior amazes me as well, but the iPod mini's success shows a trend that the OQO is surfing on.
Have you held an iPod mini? The reasons it's successful have almost nothing to do with the OQO's target market.
Quote:
For those who insist on a one handed solution, this is highly overrated: I don't know abour your PPC but mine (Axim X5), the iPaq 2210 and the Toshiba e805 and probably most others still require the use of 2 hands for turning it on, pressing a hardware launch button, using the dpad, etc. etc.
Not mine. I carry an i700 Pocket PC phone and can turn it on and dial with one hand. I do it all the time.
Quote:
Life is made of multiple compromises in every aspect, and the OQO offers the better ones in pocketable computing.
For you -- but your scenario is not necessarily everyone's. And as I said, paired with the Smartphone, I'd seriously be tempted by the OQO as a mobile computing solution. In fact, if you really read the post, all of us were generally upbeat about it. But thanks to your condescending, rude post, I'm feeling negative about it again. :?
I'm not impressed by the poor quality of the pictures. They look very unexperimented-amateur-ish: how can we actually compare the units if you place dark devices on a dark background?
While the photos weren't magazine-quality, I found them good enough to get some idea of what the OQO was about.
As for being "amateurish", unless I'm sadly mistaken, neither Janak nor Kati are professional journalists or photographers (I'm not as familiar with Suhit). For amateurs writing and taking pictures, I think they did just fine.
If you want professional journalism and photography, maybe PC World would be better for you. :byebye:
Steve
P.S. Are you the same "jlp" who said on pocketnow that a detailed comparison of three DVD-to-Pocket PC programs wouldn't be much more work than individual reviews of two of the programs?
If you don't like these free previews and reviews, maybe you could do some on your Web site. Oh, wait, you don't list one....
Why spend almost two grand for something that will tear up your shirt pocket? When for $600 you can have a VGA PPC that fits nicely and does almost as much?
you almost answered your own question -- because a PPC doesn't do "as much", and in this case, it doesn't do anywhere NEAR as much. we're talking about a 1Ghz PC, not stripped down PPC, *big* diff. it may not suit your needs, but it's making a hell of a lot of people extremely excited. and give the price some time, just like laptops have decreased in price over the years, so will handtops. read jlp's comments on page 3 for more reasons why a handtop like the OQO is leaps and bounds more feature-packed than a PPC. that doesn't mean it's better, better is always just relative to your needs.
Quote:
Originally Posted by tom w.m.
Everything that I've heard indicates that 256MB is not enough for XP.
then the sony u70 may be more to your liking, as it comes with 512mb, but it's markedly more expensive than the OQO, but it's available now -- comparison
Quote:
I'm not impressed by the poor quality of the pictures. They look very unexperimented-amateur-ish: how can we actually compare the units if you place dark devices on a dark background?
well, i'm going to assume that the photos were taken at CeBit, so it's not like the reporters can take it into a product shoot room, i've seen far worse pics of the OQO. there's more (on white bg) here, towards the bottom right, click the little >> to flip through them.
Quote:
Originally Posted by nosmohtac
It's rumored to be in the 1200-1500 price range, has USB 2.0, and a 30GB hard drive. Best of all, the flipstart is a hinged device, so there is no worry about screen protection.
i agree, i'm very interested in the FS as well, but the downer here is that the OQO is coming out this fall, the flipstart isn't even officially slated for Q1 2005, i have yet to get an official word from them on that. good call on the LID tho, it is (link) the way forward.
as for the comments about most people not wanting this device or it not suiting their needs, everyone is under the impression that it's targeted towards end-users, it's not, from what i've read from other CeBit reports anyways, it's being targeted primarily at business professional, hospitals and the like. for whom such a device may be perfectly targeted -- non-clamshell design, pen features, lightweight, slide-out keyboard so it's not intrusive, etc...
I'm not impressed by the poor quality of the pictures. They look very unexperimented-amateur-ish: how can we actually compare the units if you place dark devices on a dark background? Then the lack of good lighting makes it even harder. Very amateurish again.
Umm, I guess I should apologize for their poor quality of the images. But in my defense, I was not carrying around a tripod and I certainly did not have time to touch up every/any photograph before posting them up (on account of being a full time student and stuff). Plus, like Kati and Janak point out, we had only a little time and had to make the best of our surroundings.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jlp
I'm very surprised that Suhit, the digital media "expert" reports "From a media perspective, one of the downsides is that there are no flash ports for SD/CF/whatever. Now, even though there is a 20GB drive built in, if I were taking pictures and wanted to transfer them real quick to my OQO, I would not be able to do it." (emphasis added) The "expert" seems to ignore the availability of credit card sized USB all-in-one card readers.
I stick by my comment here. The OQO representative clearly wanted this to be a PC and PDA replacement and it is no doubt a fantastic device in terms of functionality. But then they don't have any flash memory slots (CF/SD, even PCMCIA, nothing) which I think is essential in today's world of digital cameras and MP3 players. So if you want to view images/videos taken by your digital camera, or transfer them or any other data (like music) from some device in order to (for example) create space on your flash card, you will have to either use a PDA or, like you point out, a USB based flash memory reader. But, in either case, this means you have to lug around another piece of hardware. Plus, it is a USB 1.1 port. So how long are you going to wait while balancing the OQO and a dangling USB card reader? This is compounded especially since the capacity of flash memory cards is only getting larger.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jlp
When talking about the high (everything's relative) price of the OQO, Kati seems to ignore the enormous success of the iPod mini which reflects that people tend to prefer smaller and lighter devices vs more capable and powerful ones.
Firstly, the price difference between the iPod mini and the OQO is an order of magnitude. Secondly, even OQO realizes that the price is high for the average consumer and are aiming this device at members of industry and/or businessmen.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jlp
Besides, some readers suggestions that a notebook with a PPC is a smarter (read less expensive) solution. I have 2 bad news for you: trraditional notebooks can't fit in a shirt pocket and PPCs don't include a 20 GB HDD, don't run WinXP apps, don't include 256 MB RAM, a Firewire and USB connectors, can't offer full print capabilities, can't drive desktop keyboards, screens, scanners, optical drives/burners, etc. etc.
Yeah, but where are you going to store that USB flash reader of yours ;-). Plus, you may need to carry the cradle/charger due to the limited battery life. Hmm, perhaps you have the Scott e-Vest? ;-). Oh and think of how many women wear shirts with front pockets or trousers with large pockets.
And as for laptop portability, note that I had an article on DMT about the CeBIT press event where the Sharp Actius MM20 amazed all, and it is priced under $1500.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jlp
And thousands of US corporations understand this well as they've been that many to want to enter OQO's pilot program, and this without any commercial ads. So imagine the OQO's huge success with nice, enticing ads running in nationwide newspapers and TV channels. I can 8)
There is no doubt that this is an innovative and very cool device. And I certainly hope it if successful becuase then they might release a device that is affordable for those of us that can't afford it in its current form.
The other thing that OQO has right is that they did NOT include a camera. I understand Suhit's desire to move pictures from his camera to the OQO. That can be done with a USB card reader. But if they had put a camera in the OQO (as Vulcan is doing with the FlipStart), then two things would be true: 1) Low resolution compared to what I can get with an external camera, and 2) I would not be able to take the device to work with me (security guards do not have a sense of humor).
Darn right. What is it with these integrated cameras in PDAs? :roll: Lost sales ahoy for FlipStart! :evil:
What is it with these integrated cameras in PDAs? :roll: Lost sales ahoy for FlipStart! :evil:
I understand that some people can't have cameras because of work, but I love the idea. I just got my i-mate and, I have to say, the integrated camera is one of my favorite parts.
And I think a camera would be even more useful in the OQO.
But I'm allowed to take my device to work, sooo... :wink:
And my purse is even too small. So I have to carry a separate bag anyway. Plus, if I'm traveling, I usually have a carryon for "stuff to do" that fits my laptop regardless.
Amateurs
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