08-22-2006, 10:30 PM
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Magi
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,386
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The ROAD Linux-Powered Handy PC Closer to Realization
"...ROAD has been promising this Handy-PC Linux dreamphone of theirs for a while now... it still hasn't materialized, but their new concept version of the phone looks a tad snazzier and a bit more for-reals... it's still a QWERTZ clamshell with Bluetooth, WiFi, quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE and a 640 x 240 display. When closed the unit acts like a slightly chunky candybar -- ala Nokia 9300 -- with a 102 x 65 monochrome display... The device is powered by a 400MHz Xscale CPU, and comes in two flavors: the S101 and S101K, the latter of which adds a 2 megapixel camera and encryption..."
No word yet on when this might be available or for how much, but I wonder how many folks would like this better as a Windows Mobile device with this higher resolution, but larger size? I know I might be intrigued. If you're interested in pre-ordering or just following the latest press releases, you may want to bookmark their website (though it is in German). Anyway, let us know what your impressions are of this!
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08-22-2006, 11:55 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 110
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Definately........
..you know with bluetooth head sets now, I hardly use the phone to my ear anymore anyways. Having a larger device with good screen that is useful as a mini PC, and a phone is a great idea! I Like It! My PPC is just too small for me to use much more than a PDA......I really like the idea of the tiny PC.
If it can come with decent memory.....(I hate devices with little to no memory.....whcih includes almost everything out there)
Hopefully the price is decent and it works without problems.......would love to read a good review and try it out!
-k 
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08-23-2006, 01:19 AM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 143
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Re: The ROAD Linux-Powered Handy PC Closer to Realization
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Originally Posted by Ekkie Tepsupornchai
but I wonder how many folks would like this better as a Windows Mobile device with this higher resolution
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what high resolution are u talking about?? i mostly use my pdaPhone for internet. if i use this thing for internet, i bet i be clicking the down arrow on every pages!
also i use my pdaPhone for GPS, with this thing it only shows the maps with 25% view..
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08-23-2006, 02:27 AM
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Pontificator
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,043
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yatbd. oy. What's with all the thumboards? For a so-called keyboard where only 2 of the customary 10 digits can be practically put to work entering text, a thumboard takes up an inordinate amount of device space which might better be occupied by bigger batteries, more slots, etc. The smallest practical keyboard for any serious amount of writing is similar to that found on the small Sony VIAO notebooks - not that I have one, but that's about like my Belkin folder, which is similar. Even at that scale one feels cramped, unless possessed of very small hands.
I'm happy to see that everyone jumping on the Blackberry bandwagon. Shows that humanity is still behaving more or less the same, copying a success long after it's become accepted. It's the same with all sorts of fashion trends. But seriously, how long are devices like this going to be around, when half the darn things are devoted to an inadequate data entry device? If folks want them, great, here's another supplier. But I sure wish the manufacturers would get busy on continuing the good path they abandoned, with large, screen/stylus-driven PDAs. Throw phones into the things, throw whatever feature they like as such things get cheaper. But don't toss truly nice screens in favour of the text messaging market.
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08-23-2006, 04:25 AM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 226
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Despite your desire to believe otherwise, device users have spoken with their wallets and thumboards are what they want. I personally am twice as fast using two thumbs as compared to any stylus-based entry method, and that's discounting the convenience of not having to pull the stylus out in the first place, and I am apparently in the majority (though perhaps not in these forums).
I do hope some device makers continue to serve the non-thumboard market because I hate to see anyone forced to use something they don't like, but don't count on the trend suddenly reversing because companies "see the light"...
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08-23-2006, 11:17 AM
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Sage
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 601
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Is life cyclic ? Looks like the HP Jornada palmtops are back to life !
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08-23-2006, 11:24 AM
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Theorist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 307
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first, this is likely vapourware. how likely is it a minor player can enter the market at this stage of the game? and sign contracts with the telcos?
besides, would the telcos like linux. it's too non-standardized, and they don't like that.
then, i don't see anything great about the stats of this device. 1/2 vga screen. so why not go to the JASJAR VGA, the greatest, if somewhat bulky, device imho. and the JASJAR is even beginning to run Linux if you head out to XDA forums. for those so inclined.
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08-23-2006, 11:31 AM
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Pupil
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 27
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9300
I have to agree that the clamshell keyboard works well after getting used to it. I went though 2 of the 9000 series nokia phones, and the web browser offered WAP, or fully supported java. I'd rather scroll down than across and down. Of course good thing the Thoughts site is so well formatted. I typed this on my ipaq...could have been done 10 minutes ago on the nokia, but they died...
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08-23-2006, 03:31 PM
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Pontificator
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,043
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by QYV
Despite your desire to believe otherwise, device users have spoken with their wallets and thumboards are what they want.
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A majority also 'speak with their wallets' in any number of peculiar, distasteful ways. Paris Hilton (Sidekick = coincidence?) owes her 'fame' to such trends. The popular mind does not, unfortunately, jibe with what is so ironically known as common sense. Thumbs are faster than a stylus? Sure. And if faster-than-stylus but much-slower-than-keyboard input is what you need, great, use it. But please, don't delude yourself as to the reasons why more people's wallets are opening for thumboard-driven devices. It's a fashion thing. Be seen doing what one is lead to believe one should be seen doing...
I am not suggesting that a thumb input interface is bad. For those who benefit (besides the sellers) it is useful. A bigger screen is also useful. I'm suggesting that the latter has more utility for the majority, though they aren't being told that, and tend to do what they're told.
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08-23-2006, 03:39 PM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 143
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by QYV
Despite your desire to believe otherwise, device users have spoken with their wallets and thumboards are what they want.
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no, that because they have no other options! i really really wanted a VGA pdaPhone WITHOUT build-in qwerty keyboard. what's with the EXTRA build-in keyboard?? we already have a popup keyboard!
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Linear Mode
