Pocket PCs Leapfrogged By Competition?

[Ed Hansberry]

Once again, the competition has come out with a compelling device.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/hansberry/2003/20031205-palmvlg.jpg"><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/hansberry/2003/20031205-palmvsm.jpg" /></a><br /><b>Click for a larger image</b><br /><br />Features include:<br />• Clever design to appear as an appendage. Never be embarrassed again in <i>any</i> situation to whip out your PDA to immediately take notes.<br />• Touch sensitive screen<br />• Folds for easy storage<br />• Configurable screen layout (you may need some rubbing alcohol to clear the existing configuration)<br />• Need a new application? No install needed. Just draw a new button for it and presto, new app!<br />• Very long battery life. No power cable necessary. Runs on twinkies and Mountain Dew.<br />• I think this is still an early test mule. There is no stylus holder and I've heard that the unit will actually ship with one of those <a href="http://www.epinions.com/content_97060687492">four-tip styluses</a> allowing for a rich 2 bit color experience.

[dh]

Hey, I've a great original idea........why not call it a PALM?? :lol:

[corphack]

looks like you have to get a pair in order to be able to use it effectively. maybe we can get a quantity discount?

[David Prahl]

I've gotten my hands on a pre-release device, and have a few comments.

http://www.mit.edu/people/jfmurphy/hand.gif
Figure 1: A secret company photo of the new device

No carrying case included. What were they thinking? I've contacted a case manufacturer that has both leather and aluminum cases in production. Buyers will need to specify which model they have when purchasing a case (Left or Right).

Very stable Operating System. I've only had a few crashes, most of which happened when I washed my hands or took a shower. Don't know whether this will be fixed in the final release or not.

Doubles as a weapon. I'm still working on the details, but a registry hack allows you to turn your device into a fist. Very effective!

Creak test results are poor. Using the famous "Gadgeteer Creak Test", I found that the devices makes cracking sounds when one bends the 4 "rods" back or forward quickly.

Interfaces well with other Platforms. I was able to make it interface with Pocket PCs, Palms, and SmartPhones with no configuration or drivers. No word yet on Palm compatability.

http://www.zdnet.co.uk/i/z/nw/sp/2002/10/orange/hand-hold2.jpg
Figure 2: Interfacing with a Smartphone

Networking is decent. Although Hand Signal wireless (802.11h) is available, it was not integrated with this model. :evil: There is, however, a good very hand device-to-device networking standard that is still under development.

http://www.dell.com/images/us/segments/eep/picture-handshake.gif
Figure 3: Connecting with another device using 802.11hs. Display is hard to read during this process.




:mrgreen:

[Steven Cedrone]

Finally: a device for lefties!!! :wink:

Steve

[babsknupp]

Actually, it runs on multiple, user unique battery power sources. Convenient, on the go charging available at Wawa and Dunkin Donuts.
Oh my, low battery warning, must go get chocolate...

[Jacob]

I can definitely see how one of these would come in handy! :lol:

[yawanag]

I was trying to think of something clever, but David Prahl beat me to it. Very Clever

[fletch]

http://www.abc.net.au/science/slab/leg/img/hand.jpg

mine has some problems

[timbur]

Can't remember where I got this from - but this is only following the form factor of the last unreleased Jornada...

http://www.timbur.demon.co.uk/newjornada.jpg

[Mitch D]

It's got to be friday... :drinking:

[bdegroodt]

Good job guys! Very funny. We haven't had a Friday funny in a while it seems.

[corphack]

maybe we should post a matched and balanced set for sale on ebay. There'll probably be a strong secondary market for reconditioned and detailed models.

[Foo Fighter]

Gives new meaning to the term...Handheld computing.

[ctmagnus]

Bonus: You can get these tattooed if you want! The needle probably wouldn't play too well with most other PDAs.

[David Prahl]

Bonus: You can get these tattooed if you want!

I prefer an upgradable ROM, but that's just a personal choice.

[mscdex]

Good news! I just heard that 802.11h is now rumored as being integrated! Inside sources are saying that this is being accomplished via a complex, but efficient sign-language protocol. 8)

[dma1965]

Unfortunately, it is not resistant to sweat. One hot date and it is wiped out!

[David Prahl]

That's why backing up is a good idea. Quickly run the stylus over the entire display, and press the device firmly against another device or a sheet of ordinary paper. Presto! A backup file (that's backwards)!

[Lucky Bob]

After waiting months for this device, I went over to Best Buy and picked one up. I also bought a couple of accessories for it while I was there:

http://e.1asphost.com/lbpres/images.jpg

All I can say is that this is one amazing model. Forget about "Pocket PC's," or "Palms." This is the future! :D

UPDATE: OK, after I had the device for a few days, I'm very disapointed. First off, this thing was a pain to setup up to sync.

http://e.1asphost.com/lbpres/images5.jpg

Plus, the device started crashing almost every time I used it!

http://e.1asphost.com/lbpres/Image4.gif

And to top it all of, the screen cracked for no reason!

http://e.1asphost.com/lbpres/images2.jpg

I've already taken it back to Best Buy, and the sales manager handled it well. I'm going to be waiting for the next version, which will hopefully be built better. Apparently, it may have a built-in digital camera...

http://e.1asphost.com/lbpres/images3.jpg

Also, what's with these same dull colored casings that these companies are coming out with? How about some flashy devices, huh?

http://e.1asphost.com/lbpres/images8.jpg

http://e.1asphost.com/lbpres/images7.jpg

http://e.1asphost.com/lbpres/images6.jpg

http://e.1asphost.com/lbpres/images9.jpg

http://e.1asphost.com/lbpres/Image10.gif

(By the way, I know a guy who was brave enough to take his device apart, and he took some pictures. I'll post them later when I get a chance.) 8)

[David Prahl]

(By the way, I know a guy who was brave enough to take his device apart, and he took some pictures. I'll post them later when I get a chance.) 8)

:rotfl:
Bravo!

[JohnJohn]

The "Virtual Porn" aspects to this thread are endless... :twisted:

Come on you guys were thinkin it...right?

[Ed Hansberry]

I've gotten my hands on a pre-release device, and have a few comments.

:werenotworthy:

I should have had you do that post. :lol:

[pdaisdead]

Once again, the competition has come out with a compelling device.

http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/hansberry/2003/20031205-palmvsm.jpg (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/hansberry/2003/20031205-palmvlg.jpg)
Click for a larger image

Features include:
• Clever design to appear as an appendage. Never be embarrassed again in any situation to whip out your PDA to immediately take notes.
• Touch sensitive screen
• Folds for easy storage
• Configurable screen layout (you may need some rubbing alcohol to clear the existing configuration)
• Need a new application? No install needed. Just draw a new button for it and presto, new app!
• Very long battery life. No power cable necessary. Runs on twinkies and Mountain Dew.
• I think this is still an early test mule. There is no stylus holder and I've heard that the unit will actually ship with one of those four-tip styluses (http://www.epinions.com/content_97060687492) allowing for a rich 2 bit color experience.

Probably more reliable than a Pocket PC though.....

[dhpss]

OS and device itself are very venerable to viruses!
No antivirus shown to be 100% effetive yet!

[medic119]

Ajj yes, the famous Paramedic's Notepad, or PDA in this case.
Usually we have a "screen protector" though, a rubber glove!.

[fyiguy]

Can't remember where I got this from - but this is only following the form factor of the last unreleased Jornada...

http://www.timbur.demon.co.uk/newjornada.jpg

That was from our April Fool's series we did this year...you read the entire write up of this "retro device" here (http://www.bostonpocketpc.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=1332&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0).

You can access all of our "Tom Foolery" this past April by going here (http://www.bostonpocketpc.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=index&catid=&topic=10&allstories=1)

Oh the memories... :D

I even forgot I did Photochopped that...

Ah what five minutes with an overactive imagination and some imaging software can produce... we have some good ideas for the next one and would love any submissions... :mrgreen:

[Ed Hansberry]

Ah what five minutes with an overactive imagination and some imaging software can produce...
And beer. :drinking:

[biggus]

But wait! There is a stylus holder!

[Ed@Brighthand]

http://www.brighthand.com/images/sk-hand.jpg

I understand they are considering selling this version of it for just $99. It doesn't have nearly as many features as the full version, but you have to accept some compromises in a "bare bones" model.

[David Prahl]

:rotfl:

I suppose this thread and bad puns go hand in hand!

[Jeff Rutledge]

Something about this whole "pun-filled-thread" is familiar, but I can't quite put my finger (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=17750&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=) on it....

[Ed Hansberry]

"bare bones" model.

Oh. That is so bad. :twak:

[Ed@Brighthand]

"bare bones" model.

Oh. That is so bad. :twak:

I'm sorry, I tried to resist. :oops: But I just love a bad pun too much.

[delanco]

:devilboy: Am buying a new one tomorrow at CompUSA and will have a cashier ring it up for me.

[jgrnt1]

Message deleted. -- Sorry.

[Ed Hansberry]

Having just purchased a second one, I thought it was time to look at case options:
Just an FYI - none of your images is working for us. :(

[jgrnt1]

That's weird. It's a geocities web page. I tried it from another computer in my house and could not see them either. However, when I enter the url of the photos, they display fine. What did I do wrong?

I've seen this with others' posts, but thought it might be my firewall or antivirus being paranoid. I could not view the photos in Lucky Bob's post in this thread.

[dh]

A lot of free sites don't allow you to link to images that they are hosting. I assume it's to restrict bandwidth usage. It's a pain but what can you do?

[jgrnt1]

Oops! My bad. I hadn't thought about that. I wiped the post. My own site is for friends and family only -- I never post anything for public consumption on it. I may try my cable operator's free offering and see if it will allow linking to the images.

[Lucky Bob]

I've seen this with others' posts, but thought it might be my firewall or antivirus being paranoid. I could not view the photos in Lucky Bob's post in this thread.
Hmm, I wondered about that. Well, here's a link to what it should have looked like:

http://e.1asphost.com/lbpres/Post.gif