Zipit Wireless Instant Messenger review

Apparently no teenagers have yet to post up their impressions, but Nigel Ballard has a review over at Wi-Fi Networking News of the Zipit Wireless Instant Messenger, a little handheld device with a full QWERTY keyboard and built-in 802.11b that does only one thing—lets you chat online using AIM, MSN Messenger, or Yahoo Messenger. A hundred bucks seems like a lot to spend on a single-function device, but it's really meant to keep your kids from fighting over who gets to use the computer and/or keep them off of the pornonet.

[010111 @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM]

but what if i am not a 12-year-old girl? does it come in something other than pink?

and what about ICQ? and $100? 802.11b chips are probably in the $2 range by now. this should be a $50 device at most. and what happens when the IM providers change their protocals for 'security purposes'? this breaks every multi-IMer (miranda / trillian / proteus / fire) i know of every time it happens.

[James @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM]

I want one. I really do. Can you get these things in the UK?

[Yan Chiu @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM]

If you bothered to read the article, it does say it is avaible in a variety of different colors as well as including a picture of a blue ver.

[Tim @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM]

"Let's" is an abbreviated form of "Let us." I don't think that's what you were meaning.

[Chris Velazco @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM]

No teenage reviews, huh? Well, just FedEx me one and I'll churn one out ;)

[010111 @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM]

pft. "read the article". whatev.

i still think my protocal-changing question is valid though.

[Pip @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM]

I'm wondering what will happen if one of those services changes its protocol? There's no way this thing can update its firmware over the air. As a teenager, I say--if they halved the price and added SSH and maybe a stumber-like app, I'd be very interested.

[jtron @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM]

It is a little frightening, the website has no contact or support info. It's a zowee cool animation mentioning a now overdue upgrade. Based on their press release, they will have an update available Q1, so I mean there must be update path...
Anyone buy this thing yet? Anything in the documentation? Any cables included? The unit is 802.11G so quick wifi upgrades would be logical. Uhh Zipit...please be logical.

[Micah Wylde @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM]

I have a Dell Axim which, while it did cost quite a bit more, can do whatever chat service one wants, and many other applications. I fail to see why someone would pay that much for something this limited, especially with that horrible design.

[Creator @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM]

Well, Interesting comments. I like them. Keep 'em coming.
Here are some facts:
1) Wi-Fi chipsets are much more than $2. Trust Me. I know :-)
2) Yes it is very much upgradeable. It will be upgraded with features and improvements regularly and automatically. Including streaming Music in Q1. It is a living product. Matter of fact, one review has already mentioned an upgrade they received and how easy it was. Note: Yes, it does this over the air :-)
3) It comes with an AC Adapter and a User's Guide. That's all. Nothin else is needed.
4) There are some kidz reviews on Amazon.com
5) While this product is clearly designed to be used by kids, it is not limited to kids only. However, it is designed to do one thing. Allow kids to chat, safely, away from the computer, without exposure to viruses, pop-ups, messages from strangers. It is not designed to replace a PDA or a cell phone.

[morequestionsforCreator @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM]

What about accessing public hotspots that require redirection through a webpage before use? Any fix for that? Even a simple text interface may work (think Lynx)
Also the upcoming music upgrade will that be a monthly fee service?
Will users have the option to access any streams they with from shoutcast/Live365?
If it is your own programming pushed to devices, will there be commercials?
Will users have the option to configure their track lineups and artists?
For easy firewall negotiation i presume you're sending traffic to a proxy, is there a privacy policy for this company/service?

[Creator @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM]

Good Questions. I'll tell you what I can share with you at the current time.
We have tested it with some hotspots and will continue to add support for more over time. Of course, it will be upgraded automatically.
Regarding the Music option, more details of that will be coming out in Q1. Until then stay tuned! (That's pretty funny actually)
The only comment I have on the last question is that we completely respect the privacy of the users of the device and are sensitive to their concerns.

[Meaghan @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM]

My Zipit is currently in the mail on its way to me =) However, I have a question: How does the My Friendz key work? Do people have to IM you first or can you view your buddy list? Thank you in advance and I look forward to receiving my Zipit!

[Creator @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM]

Hi Meaghan. That's Great! The MyFriendz Key will display the list of all of your friendz that are currently online. You can IM your friendz by selecting them from the list or they can IM you first. Just like you are used to. What color did you get?
Have Fun....

[Lizzie Grahek @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM]

What service do you need for this?...Can you take it in the car, or does it need a plug?

[Creator @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM]

It connects to Wi-Fi (802.11b or 802.11g) routers. It does not use any other service nor does it have a monthly service fee. It works in areas where wireless Internet is available such as homes and public (free/open/WEP) wireless hotspots.

[Mary @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM]

I thought this was a cool thing, so far it can send messages just fine, but not receiveing messages, not sure where the problem is waiting on tech support to contact us? If it worked like it was supose to would be an awesome thing!!

[Mary @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM]

If anyone has this or has the same problems or a fix please do post really curious on it...my luck just got a defected one!!

[alowerevil @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM]

Anyone know anywhere selling these that'll ship to the UK? Or any info on a UK release?

[Chris String @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM]

Well it looks like there's a bunch of reviews coming out. I know of a bunch of people that are working to take this little wonder toy apart. I know of a couple people who are working to i think backlight it (which promises to look sick).

I'm pretty stoked on that regards. My friend sat on MY zipit and broke the screen, so now i have to go back and um....return it (bleh), so now my stokeness is not so stokey-ish now :-P.

At any rate, updates so far are nice.

Chris

[updatedpost @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM]

Zipit Review:
Zipit is a new product, undergoing updates, which make it a great
product. The wireless technology was developed by company
'Aeronix'(hopefully spelled correctly). This product has amazing potential,
especially as upgrades are made. Despite a few problems at the start (due to
router settings, and possible phone interference), Zipit now seems to be
working flawlessly. The tech support team, is truly the greatest, very
helpful, calling to see how my product is doing after. They are a very
hardworking team, very committed compared to other technical support
where... "your call is important to us...please hold for a moment and wait
for the next available operator..thank you.." This product is
recommended for users of instant messengers of Yahoo, MSN, and AOL. This product
is better than its competition IMFREE, and others such as Blackberry
which charge a connection fee. Why would you buy Zipit? Because it free
updates fixing problems, enhance features, and the best part is...its f!
ree updates, a one time-fee and you get some great stuff! You
basically pay the one time fee, $150 CDN. At first, I doubted the products
connectivity because I tried it in one place, it didn't work. This product
could actually work for me, without me even having a router, or an
Internet connection for that matter, because of nearby network.

[Amrik @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM]

This device does not alow you to connect WPA encription enabled WiFi networks (unable to enter the key). Too bad since WPA is more secure than WEP. Maybe F/W upgrade???

[Javaris @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM]

hey im desingning a really power ful modem that boost my zipits wireless range and it will create a port that will go really far and let other people connet to it and have a permanat wireless connetion

[Lindsy @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM]

what is a wi-fi? or hot spot? does every computer have one? please help me out... email me at [e-mail]

[Ariel Fontaine @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM]

I am a teenager who does not have a zip-it but would like one once they go down in price. I have heard both bad and good things about the zip-it system so i say its 50/50. There is a cheaper version of the zip-it from Motorola. Its about half the price but it only works for AOL and the zip-it works for yahoo, msn, AIM, about everything. Both these systems work on dial-up and wirless but wireless is much better. In my opinion the zip-it is more expensive but is worth it. So far this type of thing is new in the market, but i think that there will be much more of these types of systems in the future. You can get the zip-it at Amazon and target if you were wondering. I hope that this was helpful.

[Bigb @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM]

Can anyone help me find out if this zipit can connect to dialup internet and if not how do i go about useing this at home without changing my whole internet. Thanks

[Bigb @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM]

Can anyone help me find out if this zipit can connect to dialup internet and if not how do i go about useing this at home without changing my whole internet. Thanks

[questions @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM]

I live in the middle of the country where no wireless services are available. Will it still pull off my phone line or internet connection? Also, any chance of IRC being put on these as well?

[scope @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM]

the zipit can conenct to a dial up conenction as long as the dial up conenction is conencted to a wifi device such as a wireless modem router or even a wifi card in ad- hoc the underlying os of the device is linux and the wifi driver is open source so i see no reason why the comunity could not or whould not add wpa support even if the oem doesent

[Taylor @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM]

Ok! Me and my friends have a couple questions!! How does it pick up the net from a modem? And can I do it at home without a wireless card and ifso, what is the range???

[Wormling @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM]

Why is there no ICQ support?

[roadknight @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM]

So how are updates handled?
Do I need a PC for them, or are they done OTA(over-the-air)?
If they're not OTA, do I have to be running M$ or will it work with my Mac/Linux system?

Same question goes for music sync-ing.

Do I have the opportunity to skip an update/upgrade or do you force me to take it ?

[Domenick @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM]

i want to no how far u can be away from your camputer for this to work

[Lenora @ Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM]

Hi, what colors does the zipit wireless messenger come in???Thanx for time.