Pomera DM10 is tri-folding overkill for note takers

Oh, we get it. The SPH-P9000-inspired, Pomera Digital Memo DM10 is built for quick data entry on the go. As such it features a full-size folding keyboard, 2-second startup, 20-hour battery life, microSD expansion, and 4-inch VGA display in a device the size of a 1.18-inch thick paperback. But we're not going to hand over $269 of our hard-earned cash when we can take home an 8.9-inch netbook for $30 more. You, however, are free to do as you please when the DM10 lands in Japan on November 10th. Just prepare yourself for haughty looks of contempt from behind our pipes and moleskins -- hmph.

[Via Impress]

[)law( @ Oct 21st 2008 3:33AM]

Looks like something Monk would carry around if he were on a case....

[Matthew C @ Oct 21st 2008 3:37AM]

Its not a bad device- just way overpriced.

If this is what you are looking for, I'd recommend a palm pilot and collapsible keyboard - that technology has been out for at least ten years, and would probably cost less than $30 all together on ebay.

Personally, I would take a laptop or netbook any day, but this really caters to a different group of note-takers: those who don't want to wait around for a fully capable OS, and want something ultralight and pocketsized. As with most portable products, Its all a question of what you need and what you don't, and that's different for everyone.

[j_g_puff @ Oct 21st 2008 6:26AM]

I think it's quite a nice form factor, but it does seem an unreasonable amount to demand for such a simple thing. That said, the startup time and battery life are very lovely - you're unlikely to find that on a comparably-priced laptop (or, indeed, on ANY laptop).

However...and this could be a deal-breaker...is that a monochrome screen I spy? How adorably quaint.

[Argot @ Oct 21st 2008 7:27AM]

I agree. I could use something like this, IF the keyboard dosen't suck. Looks a bit like the Freedom Bluetooth Keyboard and I had to return that to the store. Totally unusable.

[greg @ Oct 21st 2008 8:41AM]

agreed. I do have use for this, but not at that price. maybe at sub $100. What I really would like to see is a small device that I can take notes on, can do a bit of surfing on, and has 10+ battery life. Pandora is really close what i'm looking for, but now they're sold out.

[asg84 @ Oct 21st 2008 3:38AM]

coooool :)
but still thinks writing in a piece of paper is the easiest for many

[Caleb @ Oct 22nd 2008 12:24AM]

Your kidding right? It's much easyer to type then to use pen and paper. In the time someone else writes down one sentance with pen and paper anyone who types can have several paragraphs down. And if they are a good typist they can have a whole page done. This is perfect for note takeing. I'd buy one myself if the price was a bit lower.

[mousekopf @ Oct 21st 2008 3:45AM]

Whatever happened to writing on the back of your hand?

[From My Cube @ Oct 21st 2008 4:16AM]

or wearing nylon shorts to a test and writing on the top of your thigh.....






!

[kidcanuck @ Oct 21st 2008 5:44AM]

I think this would be a wonderful gadget for writers- I would take the extremely portable 20 hour typing time, and full sized keyboard, over the more nominal eeepc.

[kidcanuck @ Oct 21st 2008 5:47AM]

Not that I consider myself one, or anything.

[Wolfticket @ Oct 21st 2008 7:19AM]

I agree.
If you want something really portable for just writing on the move this would be far superior to pretty much any notebook/netbook. Even the smallish monochrome screen would be fine, especially in exchange for 20 hours battery life.

[LondonConsultant @ Oct 21st 2008 5:54AM]

Dodgy screen, but nice keyboard - shades of the IBM butterfly...

[ScooterDe @ Oct 21st 2008 8:02AM]

Thomas, I think the term is 'harrumph' ("to protest or complain in a pompous or self-righteous way").

[Marl @ Oct 21st 2008 8:59AM]

Just because of the input method program, it is not reasonable price. I assume that the price would be 199 bucks if they release for people in U.S. We, however, have a reason to need it. It is because we have never seen such a device which have features include small, quick bootable, Japanese-typable like HP 100LX for English users.

[htd @ Oct 21st 2008 9:11AM]

as netbook equipped with 1G RAM, 160G HD, atom cpu, windows xp is in $300-400 range, a lot of other devices seem quite meaningless.

[Josh @ Oct 21st 2008 11:22AM]

Pipes and Moleskines surely?

[Evo1216 @ Oct 21st 2008 12:38PM]

Woh, there's a netbook for $30? :)

[Iain @ Oct 21st 2008 4:33PM]

I like the device and hate the price.

Could a ebook reader do this better? Say one with a keyboard add on?

[jakeman @ Oct 21st 2008 11:24PM]

Jeesh guys, please stop comparing this to a "pda or something"+keyboard or a netbook. This is obviously made for people that want just a small portable text entry device. You cannot fit a pda+keyboard in one pocket, nor a netbook.

[Water Closet @ Oct 22nd 2008 7:54PM]

Reminds me of the Thinkpad butterfly http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butterfly_keyboard

[card counting @ Jan 16th 2009 2:19AM]

That’s great that you are teching technology to kids! I just found your blog and it’s really good! I’m going to read more posts!
-Philippine data entry