Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Paragon
Does it have most of the features that most users (read, non-power users) want and need? YES, definitely. The biggest gripe we have heard about converged devices to date is the cost. This device addresses that issue head on. Does the average user want Bluetooth? NO. Does the average user want WiFi? No. Does the average user need 128mb of RAM? No. Does the average user want a camera? No. Nor do they want to pay for them. Dave
|
Dave, as an average user, let me answer your questions (please note that I don't live in the US - and I believe from what I read in this and other forums, that the basic consummer expectations are very different in the US and the rest of the world: I have the feeling that we expect (and get!) more...):
Does the average user want Bluetooth?
Yes!
For more than one year now, I
do not buy a new device if it is not Bluetooth-enabled. The technology is now reliable, works pretty well, there are more and more devices that are available and allow smooth cable-free and easy communication between them (headsets, of course, but also printers, name it!).
For what I see, Bluetooth is quickly becoming a 'must have' standards as more and more users are adopting it (especially in the UK since the beginning of the year and the new law related to driving and speaking on a mobile phone).
Does the average user want WiFi?
No.... but wait!
Today WiFi is mostly a corporate-related functionality. It is very useful to connect easily to a local network.
But think about it: In your own house, you can create a local network with your family computers at a cost that goes down every six months or so.
You can expect to have every middle-class family and up (those who can offer to have more than one computer at home) to be WiFied in the next five years.
At that time, you'll want your PDA to be WiFi-enabled too.
Does the average user need 128mb of RAM?
Of course yes!
Does the average user want the 40Gb hard drive that come as standard with their new desktop, even if they'll never fill it up? Yes!
What's more, as a corporate user who never listens to music and never play games (boring!), I just bought a 256Mb SD-card to increase my device memory because I was running short.
'Basic users', even business basic users download music and games, only to keep themselves busy at the airport between two flights.
I travel a lot and observe my fellow travelers: most of them listen to music or play 'shoot them up' games to keep themselves busy.
The bigger memory capacity is therefore the better!
Does the average user want a camera?
I'm not sure...
I know that I don't want a camera on my device, only because I never feel like taking a picture.
What's more, there are countries in the world, or corporations in open countries that don't allow cameras in their premises.
Only for that reason should there be devices with and without camera - as PalmOne just did with its Treo 600 which is now available with and without camera.
Smart move, PalmOne!
AT&T's Audiovox PPC4100
You are extremely hard pressed to find a standard Pocket PC for this kind of money. This is a converged device and it is selling for less than $300.00 USD. Is it feature rich? No. Does it have most of the features that most users (read, non-power users) want and need? YES, definitely. The biggest gripe we have heard about converged devices to date is the cost. This device addresses that issue head on. Does the average user want Bluetooth? NO. Does the average user want WiFi? No. Does the average user need 128mb of RAM? No. Does the average user want a camera? No. Nor do they want to pay for them.
Linear Mode
