You were looking for a laugh to start your Columbus Day / Canadian Thanksgiving Day / etc. off, weren't you? Consider yourself lucky. OLO Computer is reportedly thinking of bringing to market a netbook-styled device that would actually enable (require?) users to plop their iPhone / iPhone 3G into the palm rest; from there, the handset would act as the brains of the operation and double as a trackpad. At the present time, there are no real specifications to speak of -- just a zany teaser page and lots of speculation. We shouldn't have to remind you what an epic failure the whole "cellphone companion" sector has been, as one look at Palm's
axed Foleo and the
deeply discounted Celio REDFLY should be explanation enough. Hey, we're not trying to discourage you from giving this a go, OLO, but we'd probably have a backup plan ready to roll in case Apple itself drops a netbook on the world
in the next 48 hours.
[Via
Liliputing]
Read - Official teaser page
Read - Netbook-style clamshell for iPhone is coming
posted Oct 13th 2008 8:14AM
And this netbook would most likely cost more than the iPhone itself, right?
It was at this point Apple realized, the iPhone accessory hath triumphed over the iPhone itself.
"Charging is not supported on this device"
Sweet! Now I can see even bigger when I'm trying to write down a URL on paper, then type it back in the address bar...
It's called "iCopy"
http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=wartqd&s=4
I think this looks really good, like a dock for home on the desk. I would buy one if it were around £100/$200 mark..
It's quite a novel idea - I like their thinking. Unfortunately it is totally useless, dispatching both the iPhone's advantages (portability) and the laptop's (processing power, usability sans-iPhone) whilst offering no discernable benefits. The only application for this thing is, as you suggest, some kind of dock for casual use. This would only work if priced low - even £100 sounds too much for me. I'd probably pay £30. But they couldn't make it for £30. Therefore, I predict bankrupcy.
Since this is sort of like tethering, wouldn't AT&T have a hissy fit and go crying to Apple?
Why? Just. Why?
Wrong... On so many levels.
List them all or get down-ranked.
Looks like it's running the desktop/laptop version of Mac OS X, which technically isn't legal on non-Apple hardware.
CRYSIS CAN'T BE RUN ON THE GODDAMN IMAGINATION.
*Spreads against wall*
Andy TGD, go ahead.
Oh I look so stupid. That was a response to aznofazns.
Engadget, why must thou make thy look stupid?
LOLOL @Kizorblade
I was seriously looking at your comment like:
o_O wtf....schizo...
@Kizorblade
lmao, I think you performed your own execution there. :-)
Look on the bright side, at least it can play Crysis.
Next person to reference a device running Crysis will be executed.
Thank You.
- Signed: The people's executioner.
My problem with the REDFLY is that its one inch thickness beaten by some laptops (plus the LCD resolution sucks). So if you are willing to carry around that much inconvenience you might as well carry around a laptop since phones don't have enough horsepower yet.
Dude the iphone itself stutters after u install a few apps, this netbook thing will move at turtle pace!
If you are holding your breath for a an Apple netbook, I would stop now before you pass out.
This thing has some potential, I wouldn't go hate'n on it like you did the Foleo. Let em put it out and see what it amounts to.
Does it support Copy/Paste?
hahahahah So good!
My friend Axel Foley loved his axed Foleo.
just dont do it. its wrong.
So is giving it the bird in the tradesman, but we all still do it!
this is really promising! if it is something like multi monitor with built in keyboard and some storage
I can see a lot of potential in this idea.Not specifically for the iphone .
That really could be any mobile device docking to such a netbook.Which is potentially a huge idea.
As the headline says: Ask Celio how "huge" that idea really is...
I actually don't share Engadget's pesimism here. Yes, I too thought the Foleo was stupid when it came out and knew it would fail, but this is somewhat different. Really, it's just an add on option for the iPhone that I think could actually get some play.
Since it doesn't have near as many internals it might actually be able to hit the price point of 200. However, turning the OS into a laptop OS might be a big leap and require a lot of software. We'll see.
i don't see any similarities to the foleo (expect for the obvious ones, looks like a notebook et cetera)
Aside from being the EXACT SAME THING
hmm, as far as i know the foleo is indipendent from any other device, but this one isnt...
ok, read again about the foleo, but i still think it's not the same, the foleo has it's own OS, and hardware. This device seems to be more like an expansion unit.
I see a lot of promising "innovations" with this proposed devide: the phone doesn't hang off a dongle; it uses the iPhone as a trackpad, how cool is that; it allows touch typing; freedom from the tiny phone screen (like say, for watching movies). Don't be hatin' the modular goodness.
Spot the dude with shares in the company...
When the first sketches of the new MacBooks appeared on the internet (the ones with a 2nd screen as a touchpad), the first thing i thought was: why don't they put a dockingstation for your iphone underneath the keyboard instead of a touch-pad.
This would be the easy way... well I guess someone had the same idea here...
the reason Apple didn't do that is because that would render the computer unusable without either a mouse or an iPhone. nobody wants to carry their mouse wherever they carry their laptop, and Apple would never release a laptop that ONLY people with an iPhone could use.
Try thinking next time.
You know... iPod Touch would work as well it has the same screen.
Domain registered: 08-Oct-2008 from a guy in France, so he is definitly aping this idea:
http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/25/supposed-macbook-pro-redesign-meet-mr-blurryiphonecam/
propaply trying to make a quick bug by selling the idea...
This might be a motivator for me to actually get an iPhone! Well, if I didn't already have an N95 that is.
That makes perfect sense. God people can be so stupid sometimes.
I could use one of those when will they be ready?
http://www.wvtaxsales.com
I'm dreaming a 7 inch touchscreen docking for iPhone, just because Apple isn't quick enough with the iTablet.
Unfortunately the iPhone dock connector seems insufficient for theese devices.
I might buy one. I think the iPhone's keyboard is crap.
And when it fails, the company shall be renamed "ONO".
personally, i think they just failed at trying to name themselves LOL...
haha, but you still can't copy and paste, right?
Ugh, people suck big time! This gets me pissed off every time I think about this. Look at you all, actually giving this thing the time of day, some consideration. When the Foleo was announced, you guys (general public) just shred it to pieces before you even saw what it could do...and it was WAY more useful than this crap AND the Celio Redfly combined.
It ran its own OS, boot-up time was in seconds, had an awesome keyboard AND was thin and light. The only downside that I saw was that it was a bit overpriced. But because people were so damned close-minded it never made it to market.
And now look! People actually finding "uses" for such devices...hm..novel concept huh?
not video allowed :_(
will this work with an iPod touch?
I think its an incredible idea. The iPhone would make an amazing touchpad for a notebook. Think about a interactive dock on the phone screen. So many possibilities. The processor would definitely be enough for a netbook.
I had this same idea 10 months ago with the last big Apple notebook announcement:
http://www.yankodesign.com/2008/01/14/if-apple-made-a-foleo/
Am I the only one who thinks this might be a good idea? Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't buy *this one*, but if it was cheaper and the iPhone was better, I'd be all over this, and here's why. If I am walking around my house and want to get online to check something, send a quick text, whatever, there are two problems with the iPhone: small screen and no keyboard. This basically does what others have asked for, which is turning the iPhone into more of an internet device. I'm not saying you wouldn't need a regular computer and/or a netbook, but this kind of product gets us one step closer to having one device. I don't think the iPhone 3G is quite there yet, but I can see a day when my smartphone can be taken on the go, but popped into another setup (like a glorified docking station) when I get home. Still portable, just with a keyboard and big screen, maybe some USB storage. I wouldn't have to pay for internet access twice, anyway. Granted, this "day" is a long way off, but I like the thinking.
Nice idea, but there are practical considerations:
1) How much faster will the iPod/iPhone battery drain?
2) You can get a netbook now and run Linux on it for $300.
3) Usage model
I'd prefer to be able to use my phone and do computer stuff
as a separate activity. The OLO is critically dependent on
how Apple allows the iPhone to be programmed.
I think that putting an ARM in the OLO gadget will cost less then the iPod connector..then you're just using the iPhone for it's Flash RAM and
connectivity. Isn't that what bluetooth is for?
This appeals to me. Except I don't have an iphone. Oh, that's why I bought the Redfly for under $200. I like what my Dash can do on the internet, but the screen is too small to use for very long. A 16-17 inch laptop is to big to carry around or fit on a small table at the coffee shop, or keep on my lap for very long. 7-10 inch screen is just right to keep next to my TV watching chair or my briefcase/backpack. All the while recharging my cell phone battery. VGA out gives me a very portable Powerpoint generator. It's all in finding the right pricepoint.