Unicon Systems' MBridge image and details released

Any company with the guts to claim that their device is the "key to a computer free life" is going to be greeted with a healthy dose of skepticism 'round here. Still, Unicon Systems is digging in on this one with the release of a product image and an accelerated delivery of Q2 instead of October. Thankfully, much of the marketing rhetoric has been tempered making all this a bit more clear. Yeah, you can listen to MP3s but it's not a PMP since it doesn't support video playback. This device enables you to offload your data from media players, cellphones, digital cameras, etc via the MBridge's SD card slot, two USB 2.0 ports or USB Host port. This allows you to work PC-less magic like oh, say transferring music between MP3 players (yes, iPods too), editing red-eye from your snaps and then sharing those pics directly on Flickr or print them on Snapfish. You can also email, instant message, and purchase and download music from PlaysForSure services like Napster and somehow, the iTunes Music Store -- that's what they claim. Well, this 3 x 5 x 0.75-inch device is unique no doubt, but there must be a reason for "lo-co" appearing on that case. [Warning: PDF link]

[Via MobileMag, Thanks Lester]

[Cedrik @ Mar 1st 2006 7:53AM]

Seems great! Looks like a cool pda. I would not call it a computer replacement, as first of all no one would only use this and get rid of a PC. And next: since it IS a computer or sorts, you now have one more computer. It is an extra gadget...

Get one of those sci fi PDAs with the roll out 8 inch OLED screen, that would be a computer replacement.

[BobbyW @ Mar 1st 2006 8:02AM]

It's good looking. But I don't think people are going to carry around something that isn't their phone too.

[Darren @ Mar 1st 2006 8:04AM]

It's a good idea... more exciting then the recent Apple announcements :)

But a PC replacement for transfers/storage etc? maybe... however most people who will need something like this will have a laptop anyway :/

I guess it depends on the price point, if it's sub �150 then great, sub �100 then we might be on to a winner.

[emma @ Mar 1st 2006 8:39AM]

Its nice to keep it as an extra gadget but it isn't serves a computer replacement.

[yelohbird @ Mar 1st 2006 8:55AM]

Curious as to why a supposedly 262k color TFT screen is displaying a mainly grayscale interface, save for subtle pastel hints of red, yellow, and blue in the little icons in the middle...

[Baz @ Mar 1st 2006 9:11AM]

Read the PDF. To reference to iTunes anywhere.

[apeguero @ Mar 1st 2006 10:14AM]

Correct me if I'm wrong but (and I don't think I'm the only one) people don't only use a computer to view pictures, listen to music, and send/receive email/sms messages. What advantage will this gadget bring me to make me want to dump my Sager 9860 desktop replacement or my Sprint PPC 6700 Phone/PDA, or iPod 5G?

[Galvatron @ Mar 1st 2006 11:14AM]

Unicon wants Seibertron.

[Jake @ Mar 1st 2006 11:16AM]

They should just add movie playback to this and make it the killer PMP that we all want.

Or sony could just make their PSP a bit smarter so I can plug a 2.5 HD into it and transfer movies directly with no pc, that way i don't need to buy a larger memory stick duo. (never going to happen)

[yet another Matt @ Mar 1st 2006 11:26AM]

Plus it had a side loading Pez holder from the looks of it... mmm!

[Thomas Ricker @ Mar 1st 2006 1:14PM]

Regarding iTunes support, right, it's not in the PDF. But check this vid of a prototype demo over at CES from reader Kevin Lim. The MBridge is featured toward the end of the 20 minute vid where the Unicon Sys rep specifically says it will access the iTunes music store.

http://theory.isthereason.com/?p=656

Web site still says you can download music from all "major" on-line music stores and it don't get any more major than iTMS.

Thomas

[Ronin317 @ Mar 1st 2006 1:14PM]

I call BS on this. There's no way in hell they can offer what this thing supposedly does and the features it has for a $159 price point. If that's the case, then Apple should watch out, because someone could put out a touchscreen thin iPod competitor for $159 that would blow away the current gen or iPod.

This is Vaporware. It will be on Wired's Vaporware awards 2006 next January...

[JakeH @ Mar 1st 2006 4:43PM]

You all realize you can get an old PocketPC that does all that AND video AND games AND 1000s of 3rd-party apps for like $100-200 on ebay, right?

As far as iPod killing goes, AFAIK this thing doesn't have much in the way of memory. It's ment to be used WITH and iPod...

[voxvirus @ Mar 2nd 2006 11:15AM]

linuxdevics has some info on this nifty gadget. has nokia woken up the sleeping beauty with the n770? =)

http://linuxdevices.com/news/NS6954798202.html