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 October 13th 2008 8:14AM
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.