http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/iota-flex-wants-to-be-a-mifi-for-voice-and-text/ Engadget Comments for Iota Flex wants to be a MiFi for voice and text http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/iota-flex-wants-to-be-a-mifi-for-voice-and-text/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/iota-flex-wants-to-be-a-mifi-for-voice-and-text/May 27th 2010 8:13PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/iota-flex-wants-to-be-a-mifi-for-voice-and-text/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/iota-flex-wants-to-be-a-mifi-for-voice-and-text/May 27th 2010 8:16PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/iota-flex-wants-to-be-a-mifi-for-voice-and-text/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/iota-flex-wants-to-be-a-mifi-for-voice-and-text/Why not add wings to it so it can also fly?

Duh. This device has a specific purpose.]]>May 28th 2010 9:38AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/iota-flex-wants-to-be-a-mifi-for-voice-and-text/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/iota-flex-wants-to-be-a-mifi-for-voice-and-text/May 27th 2010 8:20PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/iota-flex-wants-to-be-a-mifi-for-voice-and-text/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/iota-flex-wants-to-be-a-mifi-for-voice-and-text/
just go to sprint the have it. oh you mean one $100 charge over the life of the product]]>May 27th 2010 8:43PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/iota-flex-wants-to-be-a-mifi-for-voice-and-text/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/iota-flex-wants-to-be-a-mifi-for-voice-and-text/huhuh it's still $40/months don't dream.]]>May 28th 2010 6:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/iota-flex-wants-to-be-a-mifi-for-voice-and-text/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/iota-flex-wants-to-be-a-mifi-for-voice-and-text/
(assuming of course you don't strap the thing in a bag or something)]]>May 27th 2010 8:22PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/iota-flex-wants-to-be-a-mifi-for-voice-and-text/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/iota-flex-wants-to-be-a-mifi-for-voice-and-text/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...]]>May 27th 2010 8:37PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/iota-flex-wants-to-be-a-mifi-for-voice-and-text/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/iota-flex-wants-to-be-a-mifi-for-voice-and-text/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. ]]>May 27th 2010 9:07PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/iota-flex-wants-to-be-a-mifi-for-voice-and-text/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/iota-flex-wants-to-be-a-mifi-for-voice-and-text/
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...]]>May 27th 2010 9:39PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/iota-flex-wants-to-be-a-mifi-for-voice-and-text/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/iota-flex-wants-to-be-a-mifi-for-voice-and-text/May 28th 2010 1:34AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/iota-flex-wants-to-be-a-mifi-for-voice-and-text/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/iota-flex-wants-to-be-a-mifi-for-voice-and-text/Pretty freaking awesome.
But does it do 911?]]>May 27th 2010 8:23PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/iota-flex-wants-to-be-a-mifi-for-voice-and-text/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/iota-flex-wants-to-be-a-mifi-for-voice-and-text/May 27th 2010 8:26PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/iota-flex-wants-to-be-a-mifi-for-voice-and-text/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/iota-flex-wants-to-be-a-mifi-for-voice-and-text/
Would like to see these being subsidized (to free) by carriers.
]]>May 27th 2010 8:27PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/iota-flex-wants-to-be-a-mifi-for-voice-and-text/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/iota-flex-wants-to-be-a-mifi-for-voice-and-text/May 27th 2010 8:32PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/iota-flex-wants-to-be-a-mifi-for-voice-and-text/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/iota-flex-wants-to-be-a-mifi-for-voice-and-text/Decent concept though..]]>May 27th 2010 8:38PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/iota-flex-wants-to-be-a-mifi-for-voice-and-text/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/iota-flex-wants-to-be-a-mifi-for-voice-and-text/May 27th 2010 8:41PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/iota-flex-wants-to-be-a-mifi-for-voice-and-text/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/iota-flex-wants-to-be-a-mifi-for-voice-and-text/
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.]]>May 27th 2010 8:41PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/iota-flex-wants-to-be-a-mifi-for-voice-and-text/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/iota-flex-wants-to-be-a-mifi-for-voice-and-text/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 :(]]>May 27th 2010 8:50PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/iota-flex-wants-to-be-a-mifi-for-voice-and-text/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/iota-flex-wants-to-be-a-mifi-for-voice-and-text/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.]]>May 27th 2010 8:52PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/iota-flex-wants-to-be-a-mifi-for-voice-and-text/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/iota-flex-wants-to-be-a-mifi-for-voice-and-text/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.]]>May 27th 2010 8:53PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/iota-flex-wants-to-be-a-mifi-for-voice-and-text/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/iota-flex-wants-to-be-a-mifi-for-voice-and-text/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.]]>May 27th 2010 8:57PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/iota-flex-wants-to-be-a-mifi-for-voice-and-text/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/iota-flex-wants-to-be-a-mifi-for-voice-and-text/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.]]>May 27th 2010 9:02PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/iota-flex-wants-to-be-a-mifi-for-voice-and-text/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/iota-flex-wants-to-be-a-mifi-for-voice-and-text/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)]]>May 28th 2010 10:11AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/iota-flex-wants-to-be-a-mifi-for-voice-and-text/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/iota-flex-wants-to-be-a-mifi-for-voice-and-text/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]]>May 28th 2010 6:15PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/iota-flex-wants-to-be-a-mifi-for-voice-and-text/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/iota-flex-wants-to-be-a-mifi-for-voice-and-text/May 27th 2010 8:49PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/iota-flex-wants-to-be-a-mifi-for-voice-and-text/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/iota-flex-wants-to-be-a-mifi-for-voice-and-text/May 27th 2010 8:58PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/iota-flex-wants-to-be-a-mifi-for-voice-and-text/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/iota-flex-wants-to-be-a-mifi-for-voice-and-text/
Although I wonder how they'll work out the whole vibration alert thing...]]>May 27th 2010 9:08PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/iota-flex-wants-to-be-a-mifi-for-voice-and-text/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/iota-flex-wants-to-be-a-mifi-for-voice-and-text/May 27th 2010 9:09PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/iota-flex-wants-to-be-a-mifi-for-voice-and-text/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/iota-flex-wants-to-be-a-mifi-for-voice-and-text/
Google or HTCs next acquisition?]]>May 27th 2010 9:31PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/iota-flex-wants-to-be-a-mifi-for-voice-and-text/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/iota-flex-wants-to-be-a-mifi-for-voice-and-text/May 27th 2010 9:36PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/iota-flex-wants-to-be-a-mifi-for-voice-and-text/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/iota-flex-wants-to-be-a-mifi-for-voice-and-text/May 27th 2010 9:48PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/iota-flex-wants-to-be-a-mifi-for-voice-and-text/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/iota-flex-wants-to-be-a-mifi-for-voice-and-text/May 27th 2010 10:03PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/iota-flex-wants-to-be-a-mifi-for-voice-and-text/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/iota-flex-wants-to-be-a-mifi-for-voice-and-text/May 27th 2010 10:20PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/iota-flex-wants-to-be-a-mifi-for-voice-and-text/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/iota-flex-wants-to-be-a-mifi-for-voice-and-text/
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.]]>May 27th 2010 11:12PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/iota-flex-wants-to-be-a-mifi-for-voice-and-text/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/iota-flex-wants-to-be-a-mifi-for-voice-and-text/
Couldn't they just make a tasteful keyfob?]]>May 27th 2010 11:49PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/iota-flex-wants-to-be-a-mifi-for-voice-and-text/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/iota-flex-wants-to-be-a-mifi-for-voice-and-text/May 28th 2010 8:32AM