| StoreTags: FlipStart, OQO, Sony UX, Handtops
Viewed 7293 times. 4 people liked this blog. You can rate it below if you haven't already.
The recent announcement of the specifications for the long anticipated and eagerly awaited Flipstart Handtop computer was met in general with a degree of disappointment.
Based on the published specifications for the unit, it is apparent that the Flipstart will not be competing with the new Model 2 OQO, as almost everyone thought would be the case, but with the (from a performance and specification point of view) much more formidable Sony UX line of computers. This is not good news for the (at present) rather technically under specified Flipstart.
Handtops are categorised primarily by size. There are obviously a number of other important criterion that contribute to the categorisation, but ultimately, they are categorised by size.
The original prototype Flipstart was a much smaller machine than the announced unit. It measured a svelte 149 mm x 101 mm x 25 mm, and the shape of the casing contributed to the illusion of a small sized unit. By contrast, the announced unit measures a significantly larger 149 mm x 114 mm x 41 mm, a huge 85% increase in volume, with the attendant increase in weight as well. The OQO Model 2 measures a slender 142 mm x 84 mm x 25 mm, making the Flipstart a whopping 129% larger by volume than the OQO. Forget about battery sizes etc, these are the measurements of the two units in their standard configurations, and the Flipstart is obviously not in the same category as the OQO when it comes to size.
The Sony UX series of Handtops measure approximately 150 mm x 95 mm x 38 mm, which makes the Flipstart 29% by volume larger than the Sony UX, even if one does not take the shape of the UX into account. The Flipstart is also significantly heavier.
Based on the above, and the current price point of the Flipstart and Sony UX, this puts the Flipstart up against the current undisputed performance and specification champion of the Handtops world.
The Flipstart is going to struggle. While it has a few things going for it, none of them are knock-out blows. In the USA, the home built advantage over the imported from Japan of the Sony might sell a few units, as will the inclusion of EV-DO communications. The clamshell design and the larger screen will also help, as the target market are more used to Laptops than sliders, and the (still to be tested) battery life will also swing a few sales. The LID display and functionality will also bring in some sales, although this might take some time before the effect is apparent.
The biggest thing the Flipstart has going for it at the moment is the ugly styling. The Sony UX is funky. This is not a criticism of the Sony, its a fact. The Flipstart is solid and unimaginative. In the vertical integration market where Vulcan hopes to make its sales, this is actually an advantage.
But here is where Vulcan has a problem. The initial reaction from this segment of the market has been, to say the least, guarded. The vertical integration market caters not to the wiz kids and the young adults on their way up, but to a more mature market who, among other things, do not have teenagers eyes. Although the screen on the Flipstart is bigger than the one on the Sony, the type is still tiny by comparison to the average laptop or cell phone, and this is a problem in this segment of the market. So the question has already been asked by a number of people looking at this segment of the market, “What are they going to use it for?”. And it is here that I believe Flipstart made their biggest mistake.
The Pentium M 1.1 GHz CPU, the 512 MB RAM and the small 30 GB HDD are marginal these days for a handtop used as a second machine, but they come up a bit short if the Flipstart is to be used as a primary machine attached to a desktop screen and keyboard. And a primary machine is what the Flipstart would have to be to really succeed in the target market.
Companies are going to be wary of getting into a situation where they have to buy three devices for each person, a desktop, a handtop and a cell phone. This is particularly so when the handtop is pricey. A more likely scenario would be a small laptop and a cell phone, with maybe a screen and keyboard. Alternatively, a desktop and a WM PDA/Cell phone.
So the Flipstart is going to struggle being up against the Sony UX in the enthusiast Handtop market, and is going to struggle for other reasons in its target vertical integration market.
THIS IS NOT A GOOD THING!
The Handtop market a present needs the Flipstart. While in no way discounting the validity of the various UMPC devices, or being in any way disparaging about them, at present the Handtop market is dominated by two and only two devices, the Sony UX and the OQO Model 2.
Although the Sony UX and the OQO differ markedly in a number of key respects, they are basically similar designs, sliders with thumb keyboards.
This means that the Handtop market is extremely limited for choice at the moment. While there are a number of interesting UMPC's coming out at present or scheduled for the near future, including some with smaller than 7” screens and units with built in keyboards, they are mostly sliders or tablets, and are generally too large to be classified as Handtops. ( I know that this does not apply to the Raon Vega, but it is as yet a limited device more like the OQO Model 1 than the current generation of Handtops) Some interesting concepts have been shown, and the UMPC future is looking better, but the choice of Handtops is still limited, and this might well result in their eventual demise.
The ever present danger to Handtops is the rapid growth of capable Cell phones with PDA and better capabilities that are knocking on the UMPC back door, bypassing the Handtop category entirely. The variety and extent of the offerings in the Handtop category must improve in order to cement the concept of the category in the general public's thinking. As long as Handtops remain a niche market, they will be threatened by and eventually engulfed by cell phones and UMPC's.
In one respect, the Flipstart was a breath of fresh air, and a very welcome addition to the Handtop fold. It is a clamshell design, which offers much needed variety. And it is not a low end inexpensive gadget that is more in line with the PDA market than the Handtop market. Handtop's need the Flipstart, and a whole lot of other devices that explore the boundary's of what is possible in this form factor.
Sony has a history of producing small, powerful Handtop and Handtop like devices. Nobody was surprised when they decided to create the UX line. OQO only produces Handtops, so the Model 2 was a given. A lot of companies with potential handtop products in the future are going to be watching the fate of the Flipstart very closely, as a new entrant into the Handtop market that might give them an indication as to whether this is a worthwhile venture or not. If the Flipstart fails, it might have a disproportionately large effect on the long term viability of Handtops in general.
Firstly, taking the Flipstart out of the Handtop market will reduce the market once more to two similar products. This is not good. It will stifle possible growth and help to restrict Handtops to their current niche.
Secondly, failure would convince many in the vertical integration market that Handtops are not the way to go. This would be a perception that would take a long time to combat, and might close a large portion of that section of the market effectively for the foreseeable future.
Thirdly, sales of clamshell devices will go to other segments of the market, potentially reducing the total market size for Handtops.
And fourthly, other potential players might decide not to produce Handtop devices, and look instead at UMPC's and super cell phones as an alternative.
For these and other reasons, I believe that it is important for the Flipstart to succeed. I am saddened that Vulcan in their wisdom did not see it fit to release the first version of the Flipstart with at least 1024 MB RAM and a 60 GB HDD. That would have kept the Flipstart in the running, despite all the other criticisms, and that could only be good.
For everyone's sake, I hope that Vulcan releases an upgraded model of the Flipstart sooner than later. I wish them luck and good fortune, and hope to see the Flipstart brand going from strength to strength.
| |
Comments
03/08/07
+
PM |
QUOTE |
PERMALINK |
REPORT
primaz
It is amazing that nobody has listened to real users needs. This device and even the OQO, UMPC's, etc. all are not ideal as their form factor is not what most really want. After reading this great article and hundreds of feedback postings link that article sums it up pretty well. What most moble users want something that resembles more of a Modern Day Psion device using current hardware/software advancements. I totally agree the form factor that Flipstart and others should copy is that of the old Psion 5mx. Without the right form factor all of these devices will suffer from weak adoption rates.
03/08/07
+
PM |
QUOTE |
PERMALINK |
REPORT
dissection
I can see myself using the Flipstart. I hope it can support GSM as well so I can pretty much throw away my O2 pda phone ( much like the Flybook but the flybook is not a handtop).
I am waiting for the one device to rule them all. Positive things about the Flpstart is the larger screen size, high native ressolution and good processor. Actually, I can see myself using the Flipstart......We are living in exciting time....
03/09/07
+
PM |
QUOTE |
PERMALINK |
REPORT
GreatDane
Hi primaz,
I am sure a lot of them do listen, that is part of the problem.
The new Flipstart has the feeling of a "design by group". The original Flipstart and OQO did not, but the OQO Model 2 does a bit, as does the Sony UX. When you get accountants and stylists and functionality engineers and opinion polls etc involved, you dilute your original design, and make it more practical, and less quirky, and more acceptable to a wider range of people, and more cost efficient to built etc. But you lose the spark.
We don't need one single device that can meet everybody's needs and wants, because that would be impossible. We need a variety of pure devices (ones that, regardless of how flawed, are a single persons inspired idea, unadulterated by fiddling) that individually serve a like minded group of people. For that to happen, we need a bigger market for Handtops in general, and more players in the field.
I think the Modern Day Psion is a wonderful idea, I would vote for it as one of the best ever devices, but I would probably not buy it as it is too large to fit into my shit pocket. The OQO Model 1+, for all its many and varied faults, is the best device as yet for me. The strange thing about that is that it is not even my first or second choice, in fact there are some design decisions they made I actively don't like, but it is a pure design, and the one that fits my primary needs the best.
03/09/07
+
PM |
QUOTE |
PERMALINK |
REPORT
GreatDane
Hi dissection,
I am extremely glad to hear that. May there be many more like you who feel that way. I am a fan of the overall concept, and with the exception of the CPU, RAM, HDD and keyboard type, all of which needed to be improved upon, I was a HUGE fan of the original Flipstart design. For all that it is ugly, if they increased the size of the RAM and HDD, I could see myself possibly using the new Flipstart. If they released the original design with a new CPU, 1024 MB RAM and the keyboard from the new design, I would be first in line.
03/09/07
+
PM |
QUOTE |
PERMALINK |
REPORT
jriihi
Well something like 6" screen max 190x125x25mm size and under 500g.
03/09/07
+
PM |
QUOTE |
PERMALINK |
REPORT
alcuin
I don't think this first model Flipstart will succeed; but I do think Vulcan will be around for quite a while. With their venture capital, being able to run for so long without having a public product, and funded by Paul Allen, I don't see them dropping out of the race any time soon, as compared to Dualcor or Tiqit. So I do have hopes that the next Flipstart has much improved hardware specs. I personally could use almost any form factor, so long as it had the performance and features I want and need. I prefer not to use anything with a VIA or Crusoe cpu; and having at least Core Solo would be nice. 1gb of RAM would suit me as well.
03/10/07
+
PM |
QUOTE |
PERMALINK |
REPORT
GreatDane
Hi alcuin,
"I don't think this first model Flipstart will succeed"
I hope you are wrong, but you may well have a point. I am still of the opinion that in order for the Flipstart to really make an impact, they need to increase the RAM to 1024 MB. If the drive enclosure space in the Flipstart is so limited, they could of course use a 40 GB drive in place of the 30 GB currently specified. It is the same size, and that extra 10 GB space would make all the difference.
03/13/07
+
PM |
QUOTE |
PERMALINK |
REPORT
primaz
Great Dane,
While you may want a shirt pocket device, and there are plenty of options in that form factor what Flip Start and the entire mobile market needs is a modern day Psion. Most users prefer a touch type keyboard NOT any type of thumb device and we want it small enough to be mobile so something that can fit in a jacket pocket would enable both touch type keyboard and mobility without any computer bag etc. If a device needs a carrying case then most would just opt for a laptop. While I agree there is no one device to fit everyone's needs. There is a huge market with no devices, and that market is the touch type keyboard pocket computer.
What I see is that the market is full of small thumb and pen devices or devices bulky like the FlipStart and all the new UMPC's. There is a void for mobile products for more business use. A business person can not do their work easily or fully without a keyboard. The UMPC's and flipstart are not in a size to be pocket size (Jacket pocket size) so they need a carrying case. Thus most would never buy one as they could just buy a sub notebook for the same price range and it would be more useful. That is why the FlipStart would likely fail as it is not that useful in its current form factor. If they modeled it more the form of a Psion so that it would fit into a jacket pocket and have a real touch type keyboard NOT a thumb input then it would have a future. The FlipStart to me in the category of UMPC type devices in form factor too big to be truely mobile and without a keyboard just a fancy toy that most will not buy and then the computer people will cite price was the issue. Price is an issue for all of the UMPC's and the FlipStart because they can not replace a laptop function. People want a simple computer with akeyboard and if it can fit in your pocket then a large amount of users would opt for that over a bulky but productive laptop. To me if FlipStart or any other device does not break from the lack of a touch type keyboard and being jacket size they are all likely to either fail or have weak sales.
03/13/07
+
PM |
QUOTE |
PERMALINK |
REPORT
tchernev
Hi primaz,
You should take a look at the Samsung SPH-P900 discussed in another thread here - it seems it fits your criteria perfectly!
03/13/07
+
PM |
QUOTE |
PERMALINK |
REPORT
GreatDane
Hi primaz,
I think that I would have to say that there is a place in the market for a Psion type device. If the Toshiba Libretto U100 had not been so deep, it would have in fact probably fitted your needs. A word of caution however. Not all users want a Psion type keyboard, just as not all users want a thumb type keyboard.
Like it or not, the Handtop market is influenced by the cell phone market. A great many more people use cell phones than use or even own Laptops, far less Handtops. In countries like Japan, for example, studies have found that on average the younger generation (read school children here, before we have another age misunderstanding) are more adept at using a thumb keyboard than they are at using a Laptop keyboard, and type faster on a thumb keyboard than on a touch typing keyboard.
Consequently, on pocket sized units like the OQO, a thumb keyboard makes a good deal of sense.
As the units get larger, it is more difficult to thumb type on them, and a Psion type keyboard makes sense. However, the larger the units get, the less portable they are, and one has to start carrying them in a jacket pocket or a shoulder bag. For some people, this is not a problem. For others, it defeats the entire reason for having a Handtop in the first place, because if you have to carry something around in a bag, it might as well be a sub-notebook, with all the additional power, battery life, better screen etc.
I believe that the reason that we have as yet not seen a replacement for the Psion is simply that it is an in-between size. Too large to easly carry without using a bag or something of that nature, and too small to offer all the advantages of a sub-notebook.
However, I also believe, as the Handtop market grows in the years to come, we might well see designs of this nature. One ray of light in this respect is the UMPC designs that are currently being produced. Some of them have keyboards, and on average, UMPC's are large enough to sport touch typing type keyboards. So there is hope.
I believe, as with laptops, we are going to see handtops split into various categories in the future. An example of this would be pocket-able, jacket pocket sized and tote bag or UMPC sized. It is likely that some of the larger units will indeed have Psion type keyboards.
03/15/07
+
PM |
QUOTE |
PERMALINK |
REPORT
primaz
I do agree with tchernev, the new Samsung SPH p9000 is a great device, I only wish I could buy one as they are not available in the US yet.
Great Dane, I agree and disagree with you. I do agree there should be a pocket size, a jacket size, and possibly a small market for tote or UMPC size devices. I disagree you think that the issue is that it is an inbetween size. The market for UMPC is weak and sales and adoption rates show that. There already is a huge amount of products that fit the pocket size. What I believe is the issue is that most computers have been designed by computer geeks whom are not intune with what general users want. The market for what you say is an inbetween size, the jacket size device I believe is much larger than the OQO, or any pocket device. The reason is that it can be a device that performs true latop uses as the primary desired input method is still the touch type keyboard.
The reason for lack of adoption of most of these new devices such as OQO, UMPC, or the potential Flipstart is that those companies are forgetting what users want. Their products are not going to persuade users to want to learn a new way to input data via a thumb, etc. A jacket size device is much more portable than any UMPC etc. I still use an HP Joranda 728 which will fit in a jacket pocket and in my back pants pocket. That size has market potential that is much larger than any OQO market sales potential.
As tchernev said the Samsung SPH P9000 is a good example of finally a company listening to users needs. That is a device that tri-folds to open into a true touch type keyboard and nice size screen and has 4g wireless. OQO and Flipstart should be thinking out of the box like Samsung as they created a device that is pocket size yet has a real keyboard and has wireless 4G. To me computer companies lack innovation. Look at the UMPC market 90% of the devices are virtual form factor clones with minor feature differences. All are too bulky to be jacket size and their size is just as bulky as a sub notebook yet their functionality without a tough type keyboard and weak computer power it is no wonder sales are weak.
Great Dane the issue is lack of understanding consumer needs by computer companies. Technology will not change human behavior. Technology that enhances our pefered behavior is what is easily adopted. Creating a non desired input like thumb input is not going to change the mass population to want to buy the device. Creating a touch type device that is mobile would be easily adopted.
03/16/07
+
PM |
QUOTE |
PERMALINK |
REPORT
GreatDane
Hi Primaz,
Your points, one by one:
The new Samsung is technically specified like the OQO Model 1 with a flip open keyboard. Dare I say a cute design that is four years behind the market? It is going to be a very hard sell unless they bump up the specs.
General user wants: In a market as small and young as the Handtop market, nobody has a clear idea of "General user wants". Companies that think that they have a product that will sell put it out there, and then listen to user comments etc. Then they bring out a second model that is more in line with "General user wants". To date, that has generated only one Psion type device, the new Asus laptop. You are forgetting one very important factor that, like it or not, we are all going to have to live with, and that is that the proliferation of cell phone technology into every aspect of our lives has created a huge number of cell phone literate people across the world. The total number of cell phone users is staggering, far larger than the total number of computer users by an order of magnitude, and dwarfs the total number of laptop users into insignificance, never mind Handtop users. As such, again like it or not, cell phone technology is going to have a massive influence on Handtop technology. This includes, like it or not, thumb typing, which a lot of people now do faster than typing on a touch typing type keyboard. These are facts, not suppositions or wishes, and are facts that Handtop manufactures (all three of them at present) have to take into cognizance or perish. One might wish it were not so, one might even believe that it should not be so, and one might be part of a group that feels sighted by it being so, but that is how it is.
On this forum, generally speaking, when we refer to pocket sized devices, we are talking about, at most, a device that will fit into your pants pocket or shirt pocket. On the shirt pocket front, as far as Handtops go, there are only three, the various model OQO's. Add to that one or two UMPC's, and a design or two that may or may not ever reach the market. If you extend the definition to pants pocket size, you can add to the above the Sony UX. I doubt if the Flipstart will fit into anything smaller than a Jacket pocket, and that is the second category. Anything bigger than that is tote bag sized by any realistic definition. So I can not agree with you that there are a "Huge number of pocket sized products" There are only two handtops currently in production, and 1 UMPC that will fit into a shirt or pants pocket.
The Psion "in-between" size we are talking about is larger than the Flipstart, but smaller than a sub-notebook. It will fit, just, into a large jacket pocket. If that is what you really want, buy a UMPC with a keyboard. ASUS has just announced one that will fit your needs perfectly. But that size is too large for the Handtop market as described in this forum. It is a handtop, as it can be held and worked on, but not a Handtop.
OQO and Sony do not agree with you on the potential market for devices the size you have described, and of all the players in the smaller than sub-notebook arena, they are the only ones to date who have had success. UMPC's, which are the size you are talking about, are constantly crucified for being to large.
Technology does indeed change human behavior. For the onset of primitive pre-humans, it was technology that has shaped our destinies and made us who we are. We own our very brain size to the evolution forced on us by using tools. These are facts, not conjecture. A modern example of this is the cell phone. In ten short years it has changed human society forever.
When the device that suits your needs comes out, I will be happy for you. For those of us happy with the OQO, Sony UX or Flipstart, we have already got a device we can live with. Why do you want to take that away from us?
03/16/07
+
PM |
QUOTE |
PERMALINK |
REPORT
primaz
Great Dane while I have a bias for touch type jacket size computer I think your biased view from being an OQO lover is causing you to be objective to my points. The points I bring up are why it is likely for the Flipstart to fail. If Flipstart modified or created another device based on what I am describing they would succeed. If not then that narrow niche of the OQO users must feel so strongly that the Flipstart is better than their existing OQO to make a switch; otherwise it is unlikely other people would buy the device. I and many people would not buy the Flipstart due to the form factor regardless of the specs.
The new Samsung is technically specified like the OQO Model 1 with a flip open keyboard. Dare I say a cute design that is four years behind the market? It is going to be a very hard sell unless they bump up the specs.
I think it is ahead of most as it is a convergence device that has high speed wireless, full keyboard, runs XP and has been designed so that it fits in a jacket pocket. I know you are an OQO lover but the OQO lacks a real touch type keyboard does not have wireless built in. Having a form factor that can be small enough to fit into a jacket pocket with 4G wireless, cell phone all in one is more important that minor specs of ram. If it was four years behind then there would already be something with the same form factor that has more computing power and there are NONE. Now Great Dane you seemed to be hooked on the OQO and the Samsung is vastly superior due to the keyboard, wireless/cell abilities, and overall form factor. You may prefer your OQO but there is a much larger market that would not ever buy a OQO but they would buy a computer like the Samsung as it has the preferred input method of a touch type keyboard, a nice 5" screen, runs XP, has high speed wireless and comes bundled with matching phone.
General user wants: In a market as small and young as the Handtop market, nobody has a clear idea of "General user wants". Companies that think that they have a product that will sell put it out there, and then listen to user comments etc. Then they bring out a second model that is more in line with "General user wants". To date, that has generated only one Psion type device, the new Asus laptop. You are forgetting one very important factor that, like it or not, we are all going to have to live with, and that is that the proliferation of cell phone technology into every aspect of our lives has created a huge number of cell phone literate people across the world. The total number of cell phone users is staggering, far larger than the total number of computer users by an order of magnitude, and dwarfs the total number of laptop users into insignificance, never mind Handtop users. As such, again like it or not, cell phone technology is going to have a massive influence on Handtop technology. This includes, like it or not, thumb typing, which a lot of people now do faster than typing on a touch typing type keyboard. These are facts, not suppositions or wishes, and are facts that Handtop manufactures (all three of them at present) have to take into cognizance or perish. One might wish it were not so, one might even believe that it should not be so, and one might be part of a group that feels sighted by it being so, but that is how it is.
As an example I think the Samsung SPH P9000 actually supports what you're saying in that is a convergence of a XP computer, cell phone, wireless device. The reason why wireless is growing so fast is that we need to be more mobile. What is missing is a pocket size keyboard computer and thus far most hardware folks are ignorant too real needs. The handheld form factor was just starting to grow and get close to have the right software to grow but that was cut off when Microsoft abandoned the HPC OS. There was much more than one Psion type device, HP Jornada, and many others. Now that the software and technologies are available the computer companies just lack creative design to integrate them into a pocket size touch type keyboard computer. Just because you want a smaller device does not mean there is not a larger audience for a modern Psion device.
On this forum, generally speaking, when we refer to pocket sized devices, we are talking about, at most, a device that will fit into your pants pocket or shirt pocket. On the shirt pocket front, as far as Handtops go, there are only three, the various model OQO's. Add to that one or two UMPC's, and a design or two that may or may not ever reach the market. If you extend the definition to pants pocket size, you can add to the above the Sony UX. I doubt if the Flipstart will fit into anything smaller than a Jacket pocket, and that is the second category. Anything bigger than that is tote bag sized by any realistic definition. So I can not agree with you that there are a "Huge number of pocket sized products" There are only two handtops currently in production, and 1 UMPC that will fit into a shirt or pants pocket.
I am being broad in form factors as there are OQO, Flipstart, and I do include dozens of pocket PC devices and similar PDA's into the form factor of pocket size. Those many pocket PC and PDA devices are computers that run word, excel outlook, etc. There is NOT one UMPC that has a good touch type keyboard and NOT one that can fit into a pocket size at all. The Samsung SPH P9000 is only 3.5" wide. The Psion, HP, Casio, and previous handhelds all were only 3.5" wide. A typical jacket pocket on the outside might take a device up to 4" but not likely any larger? I have reviewed all the UMPC's which one is pocket size?
The Psion "in-between" size we are talking about is larger than the Flipstart, but smaller than a sub-notebook. It will fit, just, into a large jacket pocket. If that is what you really want, buy a UMPC with a keyboard. ASUS has just announced one that will fit your needs perfectly. But that size is too large for the Handtop market as described in this forum. It is a handtop, as it can be held and worked on, but not a Handtop.
A Flipstart is not pocket size as it is 4.5" wide and very thick 1.6" thick. A typical jacket pocket can take about 4" wide device and the device would need to be 1" or less. There are NO UMPC's with a keyboard that are that size that I have seen. The reality is people are on the move and people still prefer keyboard inputs; what people want is to be able to use a touch type keyboard computer and be able to carry that on their person. Thus jacket size would be the largest size form factor.
OQO and Sony do not agree with you on the potential market for devices the size you have described, and of all the players in the smaller than sub-notebook arena, they are the only ones to date who have had success. UMPC's, which are the size you are talking about, are constantly crucified for being to large.
OQO and the Sony maybe doing better than the UMPC's but they are not selling that well in general as the sales are still not large. Just because Sony or OQO is not understanding that if they made a touch type keyboard computer that would fit in a jacket pocket parameter or smaller they would tap into a huge market does not mean the market is not there. Look at Sony they have flopped many times with formats and devices.
Technology does indeed change human behavior. For the onset of primitive pre-humans, it was technology that has shaped our destinies and made us who we are. We own our very brain size to the evolution forced on us by using tools. These are facts, not conjecture. A modern example of this is the cell phone. In ten short years it has changed human society forever.
Yes a cell phone has changed our lives but the phones still use the same basic input method and we are not making people change their behavior. Thumb input is neither what people enjoy nor want and just because it has been created does not mean it will be adopted large scale. That is why laptops are still the primary mobile device for large-scale population of people. The reason is simple those laptops are advancing our primary preferred method of inputting which started from typewriters, and to home computers.
When the device that suits your needs comes out, I will be happy for you. For those of us happy with the OQO, Sony UX or Flipstart, we have already got a device we can live with. Why do you want to take that away from us?
I do not want to take anything away for the niche markets that OQO and Flipstart satisfy. What I am saying is that the untapped large market is a device that has a touch type keyboard that is at the largest the size of a old Psion which is about 7 inches by 3.5 inches by 3/4 of an inch. This is why unfortunately I think the Flipstart will fail, as it is yet another device that is satisfying a small niche market. Flipstart for it to succeed in that small market it would have to be attractive enough for every OQO owner to buy one to replace their OQO. The huge mobile market is not going to buy it for the same reasons why UMPC's have weak sales, the input method is not what people want and it is not jacket size so there is no advantage to replace a laptop or subnotebook size computer. The laptop market dwarfs all of the UMPC, Sony, OQO, etc. and that is due to the input method. Most laptop users when they saw my old Psion said the same thing "if they made one like that that ran my laptop OS, I'd buy one right now".
edited: Mar 17 2007
+
PM |
QUOTE |
PERMALINK |
REPORT
GreatDane
Hi Primaz,
I think that there are some misconceptions that need to be cleared up.
I am not, by any long stretch of the imagination, an OQO “lover”. I bought a Model 1+ at a very decent price, as it looked like a unit that would, for all its well documented and discussed shortcomings, meet my requirements for an always carry device. I am neither blind to, nor always tolerant of these shortcomings, but the OQO was at the time the compromise that best suited my particular needs. If you have read any of my posts on this forum, you would be aware that I am quick to point out both the good points and in my opinion the bad points of the various models, and attempt to present as balanced a view as possible. This is never more so than with the OQO Model 1+. So let me reiterate – I bought the OQO Model 1+ because it was the right combination of price, size and features to suit my needs at the time, and I could live with the shortcomings.
The definition of Handtops, as seems to be generally accepted on this forum, and as was quantified recently by tnkgrl and others, includes models from only three manufactures at present: Sony, OQO and Vulcan, in the form of the Sony UX, the OQO Model 2 and the Flipstart. There are also older models such as the Sony U series and the OQO Model 1 and 1+, but they are no longer in production, and units like the DuelCore, which has never made it to production, but at present there are only three major entrants in production in this category. As such, to make my life easier, I will confine my comments to these three products.
The Handtops at present in production have each a fairly unique set of features that give each of them a distinct position in the Handtop market. This has been discussed at length, but in short, the OQO is small, the Sony is powerful, and the Flipstart is (at least marginally) a touch type able clamshell. All three manufactures did their market research, and came to the conclusion that a thumb type keyboard, or in the case of the Flipstart, a modified thumb type keyboard, was the correct input device for their product. Both Sony and OQO have sold a large number of devices (for the size of the market). This alone is testament to the success of their designs.
Cell phones influence every single aspect of our lives. This is a fact. They have been called the biggest social revolution since the introduction of the birth control pill. The cell phone uses for the most part a thumb keyboard. This will also influence things like Handtop design. It is inevitable. It is something that, like it or not, we will have to live with. Thumb Keyboards are here to stay.
Form factor + component availability + technical criterion + cost dictate gross design. It is going to be all but impossible to fit a Core 2 Duo 3 GHz CPU into a unit the size of the OQO. If one wants a unit this size, one is constrained by the above factors as to what one can use in its design. The same is true of units the size of the Sony UX, and the Flipstart. The form factor of these devices will dictate the type of keyboard that it is useful to fit them with. If one wants a Psion type keyboard, one needs a Psion type device in a Psion form factor. There is at present no Psion form factor device available in the Handtop market, and it is not practical to expect the current manufacturers to modify their existing designs to fit one, as it would not work.
I am well aware of your dedication to the Psion form factor and keyboard design. Fair and well. I have stated on a few occasions in replies to your posts that I am of the opinion that you have a point. I do believe that there is a market for such a device. I do not know what size that market is,nobody does.
The companies at current producing Handtops do not agree that the market for a Psion type device is large enough to warrant gambling money and time on producing such a device. If they thought there was a market for such a device, someone would have produced one. Whether they are right or not is beyond my ability to foretell.
I started this Blog to explore the importance of the Flipstart succeeding, and how its success or failure might affect the Handtop market. If you would like, I will support you if you would like to start a blog on the need for a Psion type device, and that way we would not have to veer so far of topic.
03/20/07
+
PM |
QUOTE |
PERMALINK |
REPORT
primaz
Greatdane,
I was not trying to offend you and hope that my posting did not come accross as such. I would like to see you create a blog on the topic of a computer with a touch type keyboard that will fit into a jacket pocket.
I still disagree with your assumption that these manufacturers have performed market research that is in-tune with what users want. I think the majority of companies seem to lack creativity and are not intune with users preferences. To me the relatively small sales of all the devices you mentioned to me prove that their market research is wrong. To me the reason why thumb keyboards were created, was a band aid solution for Palm and Pocket PC type devices that relied on pen input. Pen input is another example of technology assuming that people will adapt and move away from current easy preferences for a keyboard. Since pen tehcnology is not that good and most do not like the experience, companies added the band aid of a thumb keyboard rather than relook at the real issue, the form factor.
Its kind of similar to wrist watch PDA's etc. companies strive to make things so small yet the forgot the reason why and how people, normal people want to interact and use the technology. Assuming that there is no market for a touch type keyboard because there are none available is not logical to me. The laptop market proves that the majority of people prefer that input form factor. Those users could choose a tablet PC etc. for similar size and price but the majority do not. To me that indicates the desired preference is a touch type keyboard for inputing in computers. What the market has done is created the technology to enable computers to be incredibly small but they lost the fact that it still needs to be designed around functionality.
If a company created a device with a functional touch type keyboard like the Psion had in such a way that the design parameters enabled it to fit a jacket pocket and it ran the same OS as a desktop then it would sell to the mass population and sell like Ipods do; that is very prevalent. That device could be the form factor of a Psion 5mx or it could be creative like the Samsung SPH P-9000 that folds in three sections. All that is key is that the keyboard be a true touch type just large enough to effectively touch type with all fingers and that when stored fits in the parameters of standard jacket pockets which could accomodate a device that is about 4" wide and about 1" thick with lengths up to 7.5".
The technology is there with no new inventions needed. The manufacturers lack the creativity and are not in touch with real users. I have read many technology reviews that reveal where they got their idea and most asked more extreme computer geeks such as IT Directors, etc. Now I am not putting those types of people down but Iam exposed to those people professionally and while they are smart and educated most are not socially in the norm. Many of their preferences are so geeky and not the norm. Thus it is no wonder why most so called market research has been wrong as they typically ask people that are computer geeks to give the direction for users that are not geeks.
Register / login
|
^
Handtops is Copyright 2003-2008 Handtops.com
All rights reserved. | Contact | RSS
|
