Companion device for your PALM.

[Anson Chew]

Given a choice which device would you purchase to be a companion device for your PALM.

[cms]

everex cloudbook, with ubuntu linux

[Anson Chew]

Can the Cloudbook (ubuntu) sync naively with a PALM Device?

[BaDZeD]

Actually the EEE was able to sync the data in my Centro out of the box.

[BaDZeD]

BTW the default OS on Cloudbook IS Ubuntu, it's just got a different window manager (Enlightenment, I believe), that's all.
What does look promising, however is Ubuntu Mobile, that's currently in beta stages
(Source: http://www.ubuntu.com/products/mobile) It has been specifically compiled for resource constrained systems.

[BaDZeD]

2133 should not be in the poll, as the specs for it are not yet known.

[Tomohawk]

What's a "companion device?"

[BaDZeD]

LOL the only real "Companion" device out there right now is the RedFly (http://www.celiocorp.com/pdfs/redfly_specsheet.pdf) and what the Foleo would have been (although not completely)
(BTW why is the Redfly not on the poll ;) )
Basically, as I understand, a smartphone companion would be a device that relies on the smartphone for brains and processing power while itself providing a usable screen and keyboard, basically making your smartphone usable for large amounts of data entry.

What everyone here is talking about here is a stand alone device that would provide instant mobile productivity while not weighing you down too much.

Foleo was a crossover between a pure companion and a stand alone ultraportable.

[Tomohawk]

OK, so to me a good companion device would be like a kind of docking device for the Palm, to provide connectivity like WiFi or LAN, extra memory & power capacity, maybe a second, bigger screen, and maybe some other peripherals like GPS or camera "port".

The one device doesn't have to be a smartphone. It" could be just a Palm PDA.

thx

[BaDZeD]

I see a true "companion" should have the following characteristics:
1) Connectivity
In order to be a companion to anything the device should be versatile enough to connect to anything using a wide array of methods (ex. cellular, wimax, wifi, bluetooth, usb, etc)
2) Screen
In a mobile companion the screen is pivotal to device success, and not just size-wise. Manufacturers need to realize that the device is PORTABLE and MOBILE which means the screen has to be viewed not only in the comfort of your office but also in direct sunlight. OLPC has shown progress in that area by using a screen that would revert to monochrome in direct sunlight. Also the screen should be touch capable, as thats crucial to a true intuitive interface.
3)Battery
The device should be designed to be used when traveling, which means more time between recharges. 3-4 hours just doe not cut it.
4) UI
The UI needs to be simple and intuitive, having a full-blown "Windows" interface just does not make sence. The EEE and Foleo UIs were 2 different approaches to this problem (1st was using a PDA-like interface, the other was using a "windowless" window manager for simple application switching)
5) Instant-on
When travelling, waiting for a device to boot up is a MAJOR annoyance
6) CPU architecture
I think that X86 architecture provides access to a larger application library.
7)Price
Needs to be under $500 (The highest price point at which it still could be an impulsive buy) A companion device should not cost more than the device its trying to be a companion to.
8) Keyboard
I a a firm believer in the fact that a physical keyboard is necessary for rapid data input. Plus it has to be large enough for a person to be able to type comfortably.

I do not believe large storage capability is necessary.

Anyhoo, thats my 2 cents, sorry for a lengthy post.

[bdball]

I already have the perfect companion device for the TX.... A wireless keyboard.

If you really need a "companion" device for a smartphone then you may as well just get yourself a light weight laptop and be done with it. Do people really want to waste talk time battery life of their phone doing word processing? What happens when your in the middle of a "companioned" connection working on that document and oops the phone rings.

Back in the Newton days you could plug your newton to your computer and using your computer keyboard work on a Newton Works document on your Newton. I see this as being closer to what would be useful. Imagine plugging in your Smartphone/PDA into your laptop via USB or Bluetooth, having your document that resides on your handheld be shown on the laptop display and being able to type to that document with the laptops keyboard. Palm started out as a software company, maybe they need to return to their roots. They could make an office/cal/contacts program that would run on different platforms (Palm, MobWin, Symbian, Blackberry) and have a client application on the laptop that identifies the device type and then allows for creating/editing. By the way Palm, thanks for making Graffiti for the Newton!

Another idea would be for Palm to have storage for documents. You would be allowed so much space and of course have a username and password. Your device would sync documents with the Palm server. You then could access those document with your laptops web browser and be able to create/edit. You then sync your device with Palms online storage and the changed document is on your handheld. I guess what I'm kind of talking about works alot like Plaxo.com does for calendar/contacts.

[Tomohawk]

Since documents are stored on the external memory card, wouldn't it be easier to just stick your SD card into the laptop, and edit the document directly? I think DTG does that. Then you don't have to mess with connecting the Palm to anything.

A companion device should compliment or enhance your PDA, without being so bulky, so you shouldn't need the use of a computer. That's why we carry & use PDAs, so you don't need a PC or laptop/notebook computer.

[BaDZeD]

PDA falls short in screen real estate =)
A full pledged laptop is too heavy and bulky to lug around (try walking around with a laptop bag all day, that weight sure does make quite a difference)
And an SD card slot is always a welcome addition ;-)

[bdball]

A companion device should compliment or enhance your PDA, without being so bulky, so you shouldn't need the use of a computer. That's why we carry & use PDAs, so you don't need a PC or laptop/notebook computer.

Oh I totally agree. That's why I think the wireless keyboard is the perfect companion already. That's also why I don't understand the Foleo or a companion device that everyone wants. What ever it is will be more bulky then just the PDA. I do think having document synchronization would be rather cool though. You could work on the same document from PDA, Smartphone, Laptop, Desktop and even allow for others to work on the same document. I can also see the Newton style idea for certain people who work out on the field then come back to a computer.

[bdball]

try walking around with a laptop bag all day, that weight sure does make quite a difference)


Um.. I do.

[Tomohawk]

As of now, a folding keyboard is the most I'd want to carry, but I'm not sure sure, because when you'll have to go through an airport security gate, you need to unpack it, so I'd probablt just carry my Palm, and a wall charger in the checked bag.

thx

[Anson Chew]

LOL the only real "Companion" device out there right now is the RedFly (http://www.celiocorp.com/pdfs/redfly_specsheet.pdf) and what the Foleo would have been (although not completely)
(BTW why is the Redfly not on the poll ;) )
Basically, as I understand, a smartphone companion would be a device that relies on the smartphone for brains and processing power while itself providing a usable screen and keyboard, basically making your smartphone usable for large amounts of data entry.

What everyone here is talking about here is a stand alone device that would provide instant mobile productivity while not weighing you down too much.

Foleo was a crossover between a pure companion and a stand alone ultraportable.


The Redfly look promising, but it is currently constraint to WM and hence may not work with a PALM OS device like the TX. However with the EEE in the market, it may not be a hit with the mass.

[Tomohawk]

try walking around with a laptop bag all dayIMO, I don't think it's the same any more with laptops. "Notebook" computers were heavy, and you carried them in a bag with enough leather to cover a cow, but the laptop carry-bags I've seen people using lately look a lot more like plush pillow-cases, and the batteries have better capacity, so the charger goes in the checked bag, and comes out when you're at the hotel. You don't even need a mouse any more! :)

I'm tempted to gut my old notebook bag (remove the dividers) to make a fancy overnight travel bag of it! :D

thx

[Anson Chew]

I think for a companion device it must be small/light & able to sync with the PALM.