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Hands-on with Emtrace Photoskins and WidgetStation
Emtrace makes a return to CES this year with their Photoskins, new WiFi WidgetStation version 2, and more importantly... launch details. Unfortunately, the WidgetStation 2, which appears to be the more useful of the two information appliances with that big, segmented display, is just an engineering prototype meant to gauge market reaction. Hey Emtrace, we like it. The tiny Photoskin (or is that plural?) runs Linux on an ARM920T processor and will hit the US "late summer" for about $150 with complete access to their WidgetOne website and all the Javascript-based widgets you can consume.%Gallery-12668%
Video: Emtrace's WidgetStation
Emtrace's WidgetStation is an interesting continuation in the "hardware widget" category of devices. Granted, the utility of a dedicated clock display, plus widget display is limited, but at least getting data on your WidgetStation is expected to be simple. Last time we saw the device, it had integrated Ethernet, but no other connectivity options. Now, the company says you can also use integrated WiFi and Bluetooth to push updates. As for the meat of the device -- the widgets -- the version being shown sported built-in Flickr, GMail and a calendar app, among other widget mainstays. The downside? Right now, the widgets are all proprietary, but as the video says, Emtrace is trying to move to an open widget architecture in the future. Also, no pricing yet, but the company anticipates a Q2 launch window.[MP4] Download the video
WidgetStation gives you fewer reasons to get out of bed
Korea's emTrace looks to be branching out from its smartphone-centered niche, jumping on the widget bandwagon with its beefed-up alarm clock, the WidgetStation. Packing dual LCD screens (one color, one monochrome), the device will give you at-a-glance access to all the usual information that can be widgetized, including stocks, weather, and RSS feeds, as well as integration with a desktop PIM and the ability to browse photos (but apparently not videos) stored on a desktop PC. Interestingly, while the device will let you listen to Internet radio stations, there's no mention of support for plain old AM or FM radio -- one step forward, two steps back we suppose. From the looks of it, you'll also have to plan on stringing some ethernet cable if you're thinking of using the WidgetStation very far from your router, with the device sporting an RJ-45 port but no built-in WiFi -- something others don't seem to have had any trouble doing. Still no word on price, though emTrace should be announcing that at CES if the product is launching in early 2007 as planned.[Via Akihabara News]
