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Still holding out for the FlipStart
StoreTags: vaporware, FlipStart
Viewed 12067 times. 8 people liked this blog. You can rate it below if you haven't already.
Handtops.com was largely inspired by the announcement of the FlipStart many years back. So it should come as no surprise that in spite of all the delays, I'm still waiting. There've been some noble attempts, but they all fall a bit flat in my eyes.
The OQO was truly a great start with its innovative slide-out keyboard, touchscreen and recently updated models. My dissapointment with the OQO was the heat which made holding hte device uncomfortable for extended periods of time and the tiny keys were dissapointing and rubbery.
Sony VGN series was good, great form factor, lightweight, cool to hold, but who wants to carry along an extra keyboard and all the wires associated with that? The recent UX series is a step in the right direction, especially with an updated resolution, but from reports, the keyboard sounds pathetic.
If the FlipStart does eventually come out in a light form factor, with comfortable keyboard keys and EDGE connectivity then it's truly going to shake things up.
Has your interested in the FS waned or dissapeared? Or are you still patient and optimistic?
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06/27/06
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fil
I hope the handtop device of your dreams comes out for you captain!
Thanks again for maintaining this site.
06/27/06
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tnkgrl
EDGE? How 2004... Even EV-DO and UMTS are so 2005! I want to see handtops (or even phones for that matter) with tri-band HSDPA and quad-band EDGE.
06/27/06
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Stephen
I'm still waiting for my perfect device. I've been waiting since 2/04. I think by the 4th quarter or 1st next year the unit will arrive from Flipstart or someone.
edited: Jun 27 2006
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mensrea
I'm done with clamshells. They just aren't the right design for verticle use. I think OQO nailed it, I agree with the heat issue but I rather like the keys. My perfect device was made by Psion back in '98 the Series 5mx was a thing of beauty. Not so smart by todays standards but the pretty ones rarely are. ;-)
06/27/06
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urkle
FS is vaporware. If it comes out, I'd pay for it in advance, but i doubt it will ever see light of day. Though it really should have quadband edge and triband HSDPA as tnkgrl said...
06/28/06
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jimscraft
I too have been waiting and waiting for the FlipStart. I still would like a device with its size, keyboard, etc., but I don't know that the FlipStart will ever come out. I really believed in Vulcan two to three years ago, but now I'm not sure that they can do it.
06/28/06
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jimscraft
One other thought- I remember that someone from Vulcan used to post here occassionally. Anyone heard or seen anything from that individual? Anyone have any contact with Vulcan, and might have any info on the future of Vulcan/FlipStart? Thanks.
06/28/06
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Stephen
I spoke to them for a while but then Vulcan stopped communicating with the public about 8 months ago. The last words I received were until we are ready with product we will not be heard from again. They don't want the same thing that happened in 2004 to hapopen again. Also, they said until they can put out thebest product on the market they won't put out anything. Dualcor teased us with this incredible device and then couldn't deliver the whole concept and we are all angry. Vulcan won't do that to themselves or the public. We sit here and wait for them or someone to put out exactly what some of us want for the ultimate portable device.
06/28/06
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ArchiMark
I think a FlipStart would be great, except that now that I've been using a convertible Fujitsu T4020 TPC the past year, I'd really want the flexibility of the convertible TPC design if possible, with WinXP TabletPC OS too...with a built-in CD drive as well it would be perfect.....
;-)
Mark
06/29/06
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jimscraft
The problem with Vulcan putting out the best product on the market is that there are so many diverse opinions about what that is. Is it a tablet, a convertible or a small clamshell device? I would pick the later, while others (like ArchiMark) would go for the convertible. Each of us has our own preferences, and none of them are wrong. We buy products based on how they fit what we need to do with them, and sometimes that need changes and we move on to another form. Look at any industry, such as the automotive industry. Some people love giant SUVs, the bigger the better. I prefer small sporty cars that get good fuel economy. While I might think that the big SUVs guzzle too much gas, the other side might think that my small sporty car is too small to be practical. We each have our points, and our own needs.
Vulcan should get the FlipStart out and see if it sells. Had they done so two years ago, we would be on a second, improved version by now. That's how it works- you go with your best effort now, and constantly improve the product. This builds brand loyalty (like Honda and Toyota have done). You can over-think a design sometimes- to the point that a company cannot survive. I want Vulcan to survive and bring out good products that are improved with each subsequent version.
06/29/06
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Stephen
Two yeras ago the product didn't function properly and had to many snags. Every unit that went out would have been returned.This is only my opinion but I think they are working on a clamshell that rotates and also works as tablet shape. I believe that they have been experinemting with the newest technologies, hardware, that is coming out on the market and have probably been engineering/testing the Flipstart to make it the most effient. The said 8 months age nothing until the 4th or 1st quarter of 2007. I have heard a couple of times that alot of new UMPC types will be out for Christmas time. We will wait and see.
06/29/06
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jimscraft
Stephen,
Thanks for the info. I don't mind a convertible, as long as it can function well as a clamshell (which is primarily what I would like). I just wish they would have come out by now, like OQO did. I think that had they done so they could have got a following going, which they really had two years ago. Now interest seems to be lower, at least on the consumer end. I don't know about the commercial side, or if businesses were even looking at the FlipStart. I really hope that they can get it out before Christmas- I will be looking to buy about then.
Thanks again!
06/29/06
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Stephen
To me momentum in this market doesn't mean anything. If the product is great than people will buy.
06/30/06
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MeanSquare
I decided some time ago that, if I waited for the perfect device, I'd be waiting forever. Whatever I think the perfect device would be now will have morphed upward by the time someone develops what I think is perfect now. This philosphopy means that I make certain concessions, but I have the use of a device that does some of what I want right now.
Stephen: Right about momentum. Momentum is only good when the market stays essentially the same. When someone comes out with a more than just evolutionary product, momentum can even be a liability.
06/30/06
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Stephen
MeanSquare,
The perfect device is very difficult. The device I want is more of a niche than what is available. I want something similiar to the OQO,Sony or Flipstart if it ever makes it out into the public with one exception size of the screen. Other features; keyboard, a rotateable screen that can go into tablet form and it can weigh 1.5 lbs .
I know it wont fit in my pocket but I don't care. We read left to right not up and down that is the purpose of the wide screen. The Fujitsu 1510 is too big. Fujitsu had the P1120 which would have been perfect had the shrunk the screen from 8.9 inches wide to 7 and added all of todays technology but the aren't going get into that UMPC market. I spoke to the top execs at the company. So, for now I wait. I'm hoping that the new products at the end of the year are closer to what I need.
I do outside sales and this product for me is strictly for business purposes. The Dualcor even though it doesn't have a keyboard was what I needed but they don't have all the specs they said.
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