Datawind bringing UbiSurfer, PocketSurfer3 to the US

Remember Datawind's PocketSurfer and PocketSurfer2 handheld internet devices? Ever see one out in the wild on this side of the pond? Well, Datawind is hoping that it'll have better luck with its new PocketSurfer3 and UbiSurfer devices, which are both now apparently officially on track for a US release. The PocketSurfer3 (pictured above) is a fairly modest update to the PocketSurfer2, with it adding an improved screen and updated UI and, most perhaps importantly, a lower $249 price tag that also includes a year of free cellular usage (up to 30 hours a month). The UbiSurfer, on the other hand, is a more traditional netbook-style device (check it out after the break), although it harkens back a bit to the pre-Atom days with a 7-inch screen, 1GB of storage, 128MB of RAM and an unspecified, presumably low-power processor. The good news, however, is that it includes the same year of free service as the PocketSurfer3, and packs an even lower $199 price tag. No word on a cellular partner involved in all of this, but Datawind says both should be available this October.

[crashcarstar @ Jul 10th 2009 4:02PM]

No thanks.

[iFargle @ Jul 11th 2009 5:14AM]

I sense large amounts of sarcasm.

[Az1Z @ Jul 10th 2009 4:05PM]

I want the first one, although i got an iphone(F#@$%^* hate that phone,) i might consider getting the first one once i see what it really has to offer(spec sheet, OS)

[Muhammad-Oli @ Jul 10th 2009 7:57PM]

"i got an iphone(F#@$%^* hate that phone,)"

I get the feeling you're trying to avoid being flamed for mentioning the iPhone.

[DeeGee @ Jul 10th 2009 4:07PM]

Body looks like a enV.
Keyboard looks like a RAZR.
A pricetag that looks like a iPhone 3G.


What?

[Peter @ Jul 10th 2009 5:26PM]

What? The last time I checked an unlocked iPhone costed somewhere around $700 and that's not even including the 360 hrs of free cellular usage.

[darjens @ Jul 10th 2009 6:26PM]

I had a RAZR for a couple years, hated the buttons on it. way too hard to press.

[LoL @ Jul 10th 2009 4:08PM]

What is the point of this piece of garbage?

[htd @ Jul 10th 2009 4:10PM]

i'd rather use a normal MID and use my cellphone data connection for unlimited surfing with no extra cost

[Shadowise @ Jul 10th 2009 4:11PM]

It's funny how the PocketSurfer3 doesn't have the touchpad like the PocketSurfer2TR has. You would think they would keep a decent feature like that instead of the lousy arrow navigation buttons.

Either way, I've used the PocketSurfer2 quite a bit as we sell them at work, and I have to say it's pretty crap. Despite all the marketing the plaster over it, it's still pretty slow and a pain in the ass to use. You're better off with the 3G on your phone.

Can't comment on the UbiSurfer as we haven't got any in stock yet.

[Nathan @ Jul 10th 2009 4:11PM]

Too bad Psion is dead. They were ahead of there time on form factor.

[Kiteless @ Jul 10th 2009 5:46PM]

Y.E.S. YES. I miss Psion so much. I had a Sonicblue "Diamond Mako" aka the Psion Revo back in like 2001. Had a 25Mhz CPU I think and it was like a million times faster than the old Casiopia my friend had running WinCE like 2. Ahh memories. *tear*

- Kiteless

[Dakota @ Jul 10th 2009 4:13PM]

Ewewewewewew it runs on Internet Explorer.

I've seen the Pocketsurfer, how it works is any Internet request is sent to a server in Canada, which browses to your Web page, and pretty much formats and sends it back to your device. The server runs IE, from what I've seen and recall, which lends to the question: How hard would it be to 0wn a Datawind server by going to a malicious Web page?

[Dakota @ Jul 10th 2009 4:22PM]

Did I also mention that PocketSurfers are GPRS-only?
http://www.pocketsurfer.co.uk/html/Faq.htm

http://www.pocketsurfer.co.uk/html/Comparison.htm
Their comparisons don't hold up either - a netbook with 3G would seriously deliver an ass-whooping to this device.

"In many areas without 3G coverage, GPRS is a backup."

[Dakota @ Jul 10th 2009 4:23PM]

Gack, it lost the rest of my post. Thanks, Engadget commenting system!
===================================================
"In many areas without 3G coverage, GPRS is a backup." --Right, and I get EDGE when there's no 3G.
"UMPC/Notebook works on desktop or a flat surface." -- No, I can hold my Ideapad on my lap or in a hand.
"UMPC/Notebook does not have GPS function by default." -- Depends on the netbook.

Their PDA comparisons?
"Limited web functionality supporting HTML and Java" -- My Touch Pro runs Opera Mobile, which is the 'full' web.
"Painfully slow, even in 3G coverage 1 to 3 minutes per page." -- When I'm in 3G or even EDGE coverage I see 20 seconds at the most.
"320x240 pixels or smaller" -- My Touch Pro has FULL VGA 640x480, not their 'full 640x240 VGA'.

Their netbook with WiFi comparisons?
"It takes time and energy to find a WiFi spot on the street. It is also quite time-consuming and may require some technical knowledge to turn on a UMPC/Notebook and get connected to a WiFi network." -- Riiiiight.
"WiFi is not secured in public place." -- That's why it's 'public'.

http://www.pocketsurfer.co.uk/html/The_real_web.htm
So they can put a shit web browser up against application errors not related to the device at hand? One error is a resolution error for a game (the Windows Mobile one), another for a Blackberry running Voice Dialing, etc.

I could keep going on how this is a shit device, but...
[/rant]

[AndrewNoNumbers @ Jul 10th 2009 4:21PM]

Good thing I don't use Windows.

[GingerFox @ Jul 10th 2009 5:11PM]

I've never seen one of those stupid things in the wild over here (UK)

[digitallysick @ Jul 10th 2009 5:29PM]

I could this as very useful its really small, especially for working outdoors

[Chris @ Jul 10th 2009 6:48PM]

A friend of mine has one, as she's more the pay as you go mobile type and wanted everything upfront. She mainly checks ebay and sends a lot of emails.

It never really met expectations. It works well enough for browsing the web - although the signal is fairly dodgy - and emailing is ok (although when she replies to one of my messages, her text is at the bottom, not the top, gets very confusing).

IM on the device works, but with so many signal drop outs, you never know if the message got through.

Battery life isn't all that good probably due to the poor signal. Scrolling isn't easy either (she has version 2 with no trackpad). The screen's crappy outside (ironically where it's meant to be used).

Built quality also leaves a lot to be desired - however, at the price, it's what you expect. The old Psion Revo+ was better on that front!

She does like the fact it's cheap, very small to carry around all day everyday (not like even small netbooks in a handbag) and doesn't look like it's worth stealing.

[pheer6224 @ Jul 11th 2009 2:45AM]

The Ubisurfer is the same hardware as that POS $199 Chinese made XP netbook, presumably with some awful Linux distro on it...

[Emailacar @ Jul 11th 2009 3:33AM]

They have had these in the UK for a year or two now. They are utterly utterly rubbish. I am astounded that this is even getting a mention on engadget. I laughed when I saw it. These are only seen in the severely discounted bargain bins of tandy & maplin or in the hands of 86 year old grandparents buying something "modern" for the grandchildren. Just wait until you see it running. As pointless and in the same league as the Amstrad Emailer Phone.

[coziamnumber1 @ Jul 11th 2009 10:57AM]

My old shady cell phone dealer got to sell the first one. I kinda wanna see if I can find one. All it needed was a cellular bluetooth connection

[slarity @ Jul 13th 2009 8:25AM]

The pocketsurfer looks cool but those keys look like their straight from a crappy motorola flip phone, if their anything like that they're horrible. I'll stick with my iPhone on this go.

[nick50 @ Jul 13th 2009 3:17PM]

I am taken back at all the negative opinion about these two products.

What I do agree with you on:
-the screen has low resolution
-the keyboard has poor feedback
-data connection on gprs will make displaying webpages not as fast as 3g/wifi
-no sound (not sure about the ubisurfer)
-some flash support, can't stream video or audio.

I can understand why you might not make this your first choice, but its not all bad.

Here's what I think could be good about datawind and there products:
-For $199 you get the device and 30 hours of surfing a month for a full year, no contracts and works anywhere a cellphone works.
-In most reviews about the pocketsurfer, they have reported that most webpages displayed quickly and rendered nicely with little scrolling needed to see the full webpage.
-It's a 1/2 inch think, you could carry it anywhere.
-Battery life is rated for 4 hours with the average user and 2 hours to recharge fully.
-Also Datawind servers are secured, so you don't have to worry about hackers stealing your information if your using wifi connection.
-Gps module based on your location can give you local amenities, attractions or points of interest straight from the web.
-it can store your favorites, and view most office documents: Word,Pdf, Spreadsheets.

With all that listed, this device is for people that just want to quickly look up information or communicate with other on the go. To get this kind of access to the internet anywhere with a reasonable rate makes this a great wireless internet option. SmartPhones, UMPC, Netbooks can certainly make up for the things the Pocketsurfer doesn't offer, but when you come down to product price, carrier rates w/contracts, and convenience it starts to make sense.

I would agree if you own something that outpowers the pocketsurfer, and are comfortable paying for your contract agreement, then it wouldn't make since for you to buy this product and it wouldn't suit your needs anyway. I am glad engadget posted this device, it's still technology and I can see it being useful for accessing the World Wide Web while away from a real computer. Thank You.

[roger @ Jul 31st 2009 10:23AM]

Hi got some nice info on pocketsurfer3 on http://pocketsurferbuzz.com/pocketsurfer3.html
and on Ubisurfer on http://ubisurfer.vox.com this product looks promising to me and the streak in the cloud is that internet is free

[oleedrucker @ Jul 22nd 2009 12:00PM]

I went to this link and found good information on http://pocketsurferbuzz.com/pocketsurfer3.html
also on Ubisurfer on http://ubisurfer.vox.com I read that the internet is free with the ubisurfer