Pocketsurfer: The Real Web or a Real Toy?

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.pocketsurfer.net/' target='_blank'>http://www.pocketsurfer.net/</a><br /><br /></div><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/pocketsurfr.jpg" /> <br /><br />"The Web brings it to you, whether it's online shopping or maps to your next appointment. From glossy annual reports to photos from a friend's trek overseas, the Web delivers the world to you instantly - big, vivid, dynamic. So when you step away from your computer, why be deprived of the rich information and real Web experience you've come to rely on? You don't have to be stuck with mobile devices that deliver the Web as it was never intended: small, dull, and slow."<br /><br />Anyone heard of this thing? There are basically zero tech specs on the site, and all we know about it is that it it has a 640 x 480 screen and uses Bluetooth to communicate with a mobile phone. No mention of OS, CPU, or even local storage options. Looking at the photo, it looks like something you'd buy for a six year-old at Toys R' Us, and the aspect ratio of the screen is most certainly not 640 x 480. It's still six months away from being released, so perhaps I'm not being fair, but it doesn't look terribly impressive at first glance.

[Ken Mattern]

Big screen. With 640-pixel-wide display
Sorry, Jason, but it doesn't say "x480". It looks like 240 to me. You're right, however, it does look like something that I would (not) buy at Toys-R-Us. It's not nearly geeky enough for me :)

Something tells me that we'll never see this thing hit the streets.

[Kevin Remhof]

Interesting. I agree that it looks like you'd find this in the Toys 'R Us Aisles next to Leap Pads. "Look kids, a web surfing gizmo".

My guess though is that this is a prime case of vaporware. At $199, I can't see this being a functional unit. I'd love to be proved wrong though.

[popabawa]

This kinda reminds of me of that Pogo device that was knocking around a few years ago http://www.pcmag.co.uk/Products/Hardware/1130835.

That wasn't exactly a roaring success....

[bdegroodt]

Looks like you would have to have fingers as long as E.T. to type on that thing comfortably. Look how far back the keys are.

[sesummers]

If you remove the pastel colored "how to" sticker from under the keyboard area, it wouldn't look so "toys-r-us"-ish. I don't see why they wouldn't give it a full size keyboard though- at least the full size of the cover area.

As far as the price, note that it says "plus an internet service fee". This might be the kind of thing that you get subsidized if you sign up for two years of MSN or something. That could mean the real price is closer to $400, which wouldn't be that unlikely for a low-end Pocket PC type machine with a double-size (640x240 instead of 320x240?) display. It's twice what I paid for my Dell X5.

[manywhere]

I'll bet that: ... the hinges will break/snap way faster than it did on the Philips Velo
... the screenshot does not represent the real browser in the device
... Toys-r-Us will try to sell it since it isn't something for real PDA users
... won't have Windows CE .NET (or the likes) installed but some proprietary OS
The device also has way too much mass behind the screen which will result in poor keyboard usage. :idontthinkso: Definately a no-buy...

I think I'll burn my money on the iPAQ 6300 instead! :wink:

[IntegraPrelude98]

It looks to me like someone glued on the keyboard as an afterthought! :lol:

[Steven Cedrone]

Kinda' looks like the old Sharp Wizards, only not as sturdy... :wink:

Steve

[Perry Reed]

I like the idea, just not the apparent execution. I love the idea of just carrying my phone (preferably a SmartPhone, of course) for most use, but occasionally would want a big screen and keyboard for web browsing or web access to my email, etc.

A few things would make this device desirable, in my view:

- A decent keyboard. You've got lots of room there, put a real keyboard on it!

- What's the extra internet access fee they're talking about??? Just charge me the upfront cost (and $199 is at the very high end of what I'd pay), and let me deal with my cell phone company for the monthly access.

- A scroll wheel. Since the screen is not very tall, you know there will be lots of scrolling. Make it easy with a little scroll wheel.

[Ethan]

I spoke to the designers and they told me that it uses a Proxy server that (in my opinion) does something similar to Bitstream's Thunderhawk. Resizes graphics, reformats the pages to fit, etc. So that explains the access fee.

[HTK]

I don´t know if it is x480 or x320 or x240, but i´m pretty sure that the aspect ratio is damn wrong on the pocketsurfer LCD

[Candygogo]

Yup, the less tech savvy amongst us.

I'm thinking this PocketSurfer is going to be extremely easy to setup (with the 'how to' instructions and all) and take seconds to log on. I'm in NO way endorsing this product, as my sentiments mirror everyone here. PS assumes that people who've never had a pda before but are curious about them will jump on this. $200 for a color screen AND it goes online? What about memory, card slots, OS, crappy keyboard layout, etc...the 'average Joe and Jane' won't care about that! :wink:

[jeffmd]

I like it.. kinda. The net access fee (and use of proxy) is a major turn off. also not being a pocket pc os sucks. The screen looks excelent but the keyboard size was shrunk for a huge how to sticker, stupid. the price is huge considering while a pocket pc dosnt have the wide screen, it can do so much more and can fit in your pocket.

As perry said, the idea is nice, but the execution sucks.

[Fishie]

This was at last 2 E3 conventions amongst a bunch of videogame hardware/software.

Its surprisingly sturdy and heavy despite its size, and yeah its half VGA.

Two years ago they had a greyscale unit, last year they updated that to this current colour model.

[Aerestis]

Hum... The bottom line for me is that I wouldn't invest in that. For years to come, I think if pda's stay the size they are but improve their specs, there are no problems. As far as that thing goes, I just wouldn't want to get it... My pda fits in my pocket comfy, I like the stylus and software, and I work as quickly as I need to with it.

I think that as long as pda's keep getting better resolutions, even if they get bigger by an inch if they have to, they will be fully useable and won't have any con's in comparison to the model we're seeing in the picture.

It just doesn't look comfortable. Sooooo there. :D

[dmacburry2003]

They should make it support Wi-Fi instead of Bluetooth; (I don't know the actual data but) I bet many more people use Wi-Fi access (in their homes, hotspots, etc.) instead of Bluetooth. They could also add a dial-up port, or even an ethernet jack (I know a few hotels that offer ethernet internet).

And as a side note, isn't this PS kind of like those little e-mail devices that are popping up at Radio Shack and Staples? Some of those have web browsers, too.

[ctmagnus]

Looks to me like the guts of the system are behind the screen rather than under the keyboard. Unless it's weighted down, I assume it won't be that easy to use.

[Kati Compton]

Looks to me like the guts of the system are behind the screen rather than under the keyboard. Unless it's weighted down, I assume it won't be that easy to use.
Oooh... good point. It could be prone to rolling backwards...

[dmacburry2003]

Now I don't think its going to work.

Remember the old disposable cell phones? Introduced a few years ago? Like the ones at http://www.hop-on.com.

I remember seeing them and thinking: Hmm... What a neat idea.

Now, like... Four years later, I still haven't seen them, and the idea is still a work in progress wanna-be.

Originally, Hop-On had a site with some product promos and features on it, but the site was virtually useless. Now, this site comes along (also virtually useless) promoting this PS BS.

[t3]

http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/pocketsurfr.jpg

"The Web brings it to you, whether it's online shopping or maps to your next appointment. From glossy annual reports to photos from a friend's trek overseas, the Web delivers the world to you instantly - big, vivid, dynamic. So when you step away from your computer, why be deprived of the rich information and real Web experience you've come to rely on? You don't have to be stuck with mobile devices that deliver the Web as it was never intended: small, dull, and slow."

Anyone heard of this thing? There are basically zero tech specs on the site, and all we know about it is that it it has a 640 x 480 screen and uses Bluetooth to communicate with a mobile phone. No mention of OS, CPU, or even local storage options. Looking at the photo, it looks like something you'd buy for a six year-old at Toys R' Us, and the aspect ratio of the screen is most certainly not 640 x 480. It's still six months away from being released, so perhaps I'm not being fair, but it doesn't look terribly impressive at first glance.

The screen resolution is 640 by 240, with the bottom 208 for viewing the webpage. The speed is very fast, I loaded cnn.com in 7 seconds over the IDEN network. The keyboard is a "thumb" type. The picture above is of the second generation prototype. The keyboard is a bit larger and laid out a little different. I like the idea of a thumb wheel, the first prototype had one on them. The size of the unit is about the size of a checkbook. I have been using my beta unit for the past 6 months with great success. The monthly service charge is for the server. The unit doesn't store any information. All of the power is in the server, and the speed is in the way the data is encrypted and sent to the device. It has a very small OS that is proprietary to the device. The price point is very aggressive, and once you lay hands on one, you will really like it. I like mine. (and yes I do work for the company that is going to bring it to market.)

[daS]

I had a look at the prototype at CES. I put a little (ok, very little :lol: ) info in my CES round-up on my site.

As someone else here noted, the device is basically a thin client that connects to a proxy server for web content formatted for the small screen and low bandwidth (like Thunderhawk.) The device is intended to sell rather cheaply since the company will make their money on the subscription fees (again like Bitstream.)

Obviously, Pocket PC Thoughts readers are not the target market for such a device. Rather they are aiming at users that just want to have a better browser than what's on a cell phone, with the added feature of a "real" keyboard for entering data and writing emails.

I'm not sure if they can really capture such a market because it might be hard for non-techies to understand what the product does. Time will tell...

[xoiph]

Get a SideKick (http://www.hiptop.com) instead :mrgreen:

[daS]

Get a SideKick (http://www.hiptop.com) instead :mrgreen:
The SideKick is certainly cool, but it's not ideal as a cell phone - too thick and bulky - plus no Bluetooth headset, and a screen that is not as wide as a "standard" 640 pixels.

This device doesn't replace your cell phone, but augments it (without the need for another account) for when you need a larger screen and keyboard.

I agree that the SideKick has a greater mass market appeal, but it is a different product.

[juni]

I'll stick with my HP2210 combined with PiePlus (http://www.reensoft.com/product/PIEPlus/) for wireless surfing. :)

[xoiph]

The SideKick is certainly cool, but it's not ideal as a cell phone - too thick and bulky - plus no Bluetooth headset, and a screen that is not as wide as a "standard" 640 pixels.

I've had the Color SideKick for about 4 months now, and I wonder how I ever got along without it. The browser resizes pages and images to fit on the SK screen, and they load way quicker than they ever did with my Ipaq/Cellphone combo. The size is not an issue once you get used to it. I'd compare it to carrying around an old Axim. You gotta admit though, you can't beat the SK form factor.

[Tom W.M.]

This seems very similar to the ePods (http://www.epods.com/) internet appliance and internet access scheme, which failed miserably. The ePods had a 12 Mhz. MIPS processor and a VGA screen, running a custom version of Windows CE 2.x. After the company was bought out, a number of the devices were available very cheaply. Many users hacked their ePods to work with other ISPs or run the H/PC shell: http://www.geocities.com/epodsfiles/, http://www.geocities.com/epodsfiles/, http://siliconice.net/articles/epods/. They were manufactured by eZEX (http://www.ezex.co.kr/). The RAM can be upgraded to 32MB, and a registry hack performed that sets the screen to display full 16-bit color (vs. 256-color).

As a web designer, I wonder about the capabilities of this device to render pages. Does it support CSS? CSS2? Will it be upgradeable to support new standards (CSS3)? XHTML namespaces? PNG with alpha transparency? Properly support :hover (unlike IE) if you can connect a mouse? JavaScript? Will it be upgradeable to support new standards (CSS3)?

As a user I think: 640x240? Are they kidding!?