Redfly/Foleo for the iPhone

[Hooch Tan]

Found this on liliputing which I found interesting:

http://www.liliputing.com/2008/10/olo-computer-would-turn-an-iphone-into-a-netbook.html

It has a better idea of form, in my opinion, using the iPhone as the trackpad, though I can't see this being done for WinMo devices unless they standardized on a shape and size.

I do think this is definately a trend we're going to see more of, but I still find that netbooks provide a superior experience for now. At least until Skyfire is completely open. With my TyTn II, it often takens 30-50 seconds to open a webpage in Opera. I don't know how some people are able to live with that!

[Jason Dunn]

I'm not so sure this is actually going to happen for the iPhone - I've been told that the way Apple locks down the iPhone makes a device like this pretty much impossible...but I guess we'll see. :)

[kdarling]

The Redfly works with non-touch phones as well, so using the phone as a touchpad wouldn't work.

An advantage of the Redfly is that it works over USB or Bluetooth. Just get your phone nearby.

Apple won't even let people make GPS dongles for the iPhone, much less something like this.

[Hooch Tan]

You're both right, after reflecting on Apple's general disposition on "add-ons." I do think it's slick in how it form fits function.

I like the Redfly, however, the wireless tether, I think has it's strengths and weaknesses. If it were something that could dock directly into the device, I'd feel more comfortable. I'm paranoid of losing things, so the more things pack together, the better for me.

Anyone remember the IBM Metapad?