Iota Flex wants to be a MiFi for voice and text
By Joanna Stern 
posted May 27th 2010 8:09PM
posted May 27th 2010 8:09PM
We caught some time with Iota and the prototype at the Netbook Summit this week and were told that they plan to sell the Flex through retailers for under $100 -- it would be an extra $40 a month for unlimited calling and texting thanks to a partnership with Simple Mobile. Here's where we say we wouldn't hold your breath for this thing to hit the market -- though if they can pull it off, it'll certainty be an interesting solution for adding voice and text to those hoards of incoming Android tablets. After you're done wrapping your brain around this wearable voice and text accessory, check out the hands-on pics and hit the break for a hacked together demo of the dev kit they've been selling.
First comment. Also I would trade my hero w/ damageless if this thing didn't have a contract.
That's really ugly, and it doesn't even look like a good form factor for a cell radio (no space for a battery). Why not make a deice that fits in your pocket? They could even add a keypad and a speaker so it could be used on its own, or a big touchscreen for internet and multimedia capabilities. Oh wait...
@m854
Why not add wings to it so it can also fly?
Duh. This device has a specific purpose.
Unlimited talk and text for under $100?!? I want one...
@Genocidal Bot
just go to sprint the have it. oh you mean one $100 charge over the life of the product
@Genocidal Bot
huhuh it's still $40/months don't dream.
Would having a radio constantly around your wrist have the same side effects as having a cellphone constantly close to your body?
(assuming of course you don't strap the thing in a bag or something)
@abedinthehouse
What side effects are you referring to??
The UN just published a 10 year study of almost 13,000 people that stated -- "'The overall analysis is consistent with previous studies and the significant body of research, reporting no increased health risk from using mobile phones,'"
Almost every other credible study has said the same thing.
Don't believe the media fear mongers...
@abedinthehouse
The same UN study revealed that there's 45% increase in the chance of getting a certain type of brain tumor if a cellphone is constantly used next to your head; but 4 ft seem more than enough to negate the effect completely. It's plain stupid that these studies keep being inconclusive.
@abedinthehouse
I'm not wrapping anything around my wrist that can be used to find me when they come for us. And don't say "what about your cellphone" 'cause I don't have one. If you do then they already own you.I hope y'all are wrapping your money in tinfoil because your benjamins are "phoning home" too...
@Steve2000 if I was "the man" the first thing I would do is take out the people I couldn't easily track.
Damn.
Pretty freaking awesome.
But does it do 911?
Caps? Won't be unlimited at $100
I guess it could be an advantage for netbook users without 3G cards built in-- even though a lot of them don't have Bluetooth, some of those dongles are pretty small and could be left in all the time. I'm afraid I would damage one of those large USB-stick type mobile broadband dongles with my clumsy self. A lot harder to crush it if it's hanging on my bag or whatever.
Would like to see these being subsidized (to free) by carriers.
Nice...
They should have just went all the way and did 3g.
Decent concept though..
That's awesome! I can put this on my keychain. I couldn't go so far as to put it on my wrist, but it'd be awesome to have WiFi on a something as small as a keychain :)
So, basically, what they're doing is putting the GSM/CDMA baseband chipset in a separate "unit" that is then connected to the PDA wirelessly. Essentially (for example) turning an iPod Touch back into an iPhone.
It's a great idea, and it could easily open up the cellphone market as we know it. Want to switch providers? Get a new Flex from your new provider, and sell/discard the one from your old provider. New provider uses CDMA/GSM/HDSPA/WiFi/WiMAX/? Not a problem, the Flex handles the talking to the network, not your "phone". Want to upgrade your "Phone"? Walk into Best Buy/Radio Shack/Wal-Mart and pick up a new one to use with your provider's Flex.
This will essentially take the abstraction that the GSM SIM provides and take it to the next level. But I do see some problems with it. It is, essentially, 2 wireless radios and a supporting chipset. What's the (second-most) draining part of any phone? First is the screen, second is the radios. And this doesn't negate the bluetooth radio that's needed, just the Baseband one. So this device will have to have enough power to have a usable time while powering 2 radios, while still in a tiny form-factor like that. Difficult.
@Anaerin
That's probably why they didn't do 3g...but, keep in mind -- this is bluetooth, and not wifi...bluetooth uses abou 1\5 the power that wifi does, for both devices (the wristband and the device itself) - I don't think battery life will be a major concern right now since it's only 2g also...
I bet if there were more advanced battery techs they could have added 3g -- can't wait till hitachi etc bring their new battery techs to the market...it will take ahwile tho sadly :(
@Anaerin
Also, it kind of sucks trying to buy a phone without a contract, especially a new smartphone like the Evo4g...will sprint even sell those without a contract? AT&T wouldn't sell iphone contract free for a long ass time.
@Anaerin
Why not just put SIM slot and voice capability into tablet/e-reader/whatever in the first place?
About phones: Just get your phone on ebay, unlock it and use whatever carrier you want.
@DoctarPeppar
My point was that, if/when this takes off, you wouldn't buy a phone "Complete", you would buy the "Computing part" from any store you liked, and the "Radio part" would be provided by your carrier. It is also possible that you could buy the two as a bundle from your carrier, but that doesn't mean you have to.
Essentially, you buy just the Flex and it's contract from your provider, and your "phone" from wherever else you want to. And if you don't like the service/coverage/rates that provider gives you, you can return your Flex to them (if they want you to), buy a Flex from another provider, and use their network. It separates the "Phone" from the "Network", the way that GSM SIMs do in Europe, but without limiting you to just the GSM network.
@gumer
Because CDMA phones (at the least) don't use SIMs, they lock the subscriber to the particular radio, and it's difficult (if not impossible) to move a phone between CDMA carriers, as each carrier needs the phone's radio parameters to be customised to their particular network. The Flex would mean that it's only the Flex that needs to be customised, and it then presents a standardised API/service for any phone/pda/laptop/computer/MID/MP3 Player to use to make and receive calls, independent of what network, carrier, standard or even country is in use. Going to Europe? Rent a cheap Flex when you arrive at the airport and forward your number to it. Need more than one line? Associate your phone to a couple of Flexes, on as many carriers as you like.
@Anaerin
Thanks for explanation!
Here in Europe all carriers use virtually same technology, so we just switch SIM cards whenever we want (after unlocking phone, which costs $5 and take 1h of time)
@gumer
Thanks to this thread for your insights, ideas, and thoughtful analysis. We'll definitely incorporate them into our thinking as we move forward.
- Naomi at Iota
Good idea - I wonder how long before one of the big Telco's buys them out and shuts them down and locks the patents away?
So... NOT a futuristic birth control device then???
@brettinsocal That's in the next edition. Birth control AND the ability to never miss another call no matter what you're doing.
Although I wonder how they'll work out the whole vibration alert thing...
Wait...wait... $100 one time for unlimited talk and text? forever? That could save me alot of money over the length of my contract.
Hmmmm....
Google or HTCs next acquisition?
Witchcraft!
Interesting idea. There are cool devices out there not being sold by cell phone companies. Maybe I want to use a MID that's not sold by AT&T, Verizon, etc. as a phone. Why not?
A Magic Jack for your tablet!!
is i just me or was that a man in a dress pretending to be a woman? for a product demo, they ought to have better looking test models...
This is genius, but it better have good battery life and it better come in more reasonable styles and different shapes (different style wristbands; anklets, necklaces, slim/flexible back-pocketables, etc).
While they're at it, they (or someone) should make decent software for Windows/Mac OSX/Linux. I see this as more useful for pairing with a laptop, personally, though maybe I'll think differently if/when I get an (Android) tablet.
VERY cool idea.. stupid f'n design. Seriously, that thing is ugly and cumbersome as hell.
Couldn't they just make a tasteful keyfob?
Must be groggy this morning 'cause for a second i was wondering what's an orange phallus ring doing on this website??