Handtops, UMPC - Podcast with Jory Bell.

04/24/06 + tnkgrl

It's here.

Feed: link or "http://feeds.feedburner.com/tnkgrl"

iTunes: pcast://feeds.feedburner.com:/tnkgrl

Enjoy

04/25/06 + jo2k

And also it's a bit dismay to say that HTC is the only company in Taiwan that does quality stuff making them to be a valid competitor, but wait, they don't even do PC. I mean com'on - ASUS definitely makes solid stuff, and aren't all the apple products made in Taiwan? Only SONY & Samsung? Not a sincere answer at all.

04/25/06 + lungcookie

2disbetter said: "well when asked about it he sounded like he got pretty defensive, and just stated that the keyboard was basically the smallest fully functional keyboard in exsistence (and that it should be enough). Im not really that keen on getting a backlite keyboard myself."

Actually, I took his response to mean that they would have liked to have a backlight, but they were already pushing the envelope in so many ways that it didn't make the cut. Just packing as much as they did into such a small package was challenge enough (one that, even to this day, no other company has been able to achieve.)

I have a feeling that a backlit keyboard is in the works for the next version (or heck, even a front-lit keyboard -- just slap some white LEDs along the bottom edge of the screen

). If you ever find yourself needing to use your OQO in the dark you'll see why it's so important.

Recent Blog: lungcookie's OQO Blog

04/25/06 + mensrea

"(or heck, even a front-lit keyboard -- just slap some white LEDs along the bottom edge of the screen )."

Even simpler than that. Just use a translucent/opaque piece of plastic along the bottom edge of the screen and use the screen itself or the power button as the light source. Instant light, no extra battery drain. If I didn't have a 3yr extended warranty, I'd be all over this mod.

I've been considering mounting a small strip of high gain photoluminescent tape as an alternative. Some of this stuff used in the safety field is required to glow rather brightly for several hours from limited ambient light exposure. Might just do the trick.

Some sort of light source for the keyboard is essential IMO.

04/25/06 + 2disbetter

The backlite keyboard is one of those thing that will almost without a doubt be in the new model. When i said I wasn't very "keen" on it I was meaning that I don't think I would have much need for it, as I don't have much need for it now. I use my oqo more like a computer than a pda. This means most of time when I'm using it I'm sitting down with a light on. The types of things I use it for wouldn't really work while i was walking to the car, or standing in line at the grocery store.

That being said, I would welcome the backlite keyboard. And lungcookie I think your take on his comments are correct.

04/25/06 + anthonyb

tnkgrl, I can't get the podcast. It just hangs. Any way you could email it to me.

Also, tnkgrl, I think you are awesome, however you are looking like a bully making threats to slickster to "cleanup posts". What slickster said was not so bad that you should have repsonded with the ultimate threat of censorship. Just wanted to mention this tnkgrl even I am on your side

.

Can you help me get the post.

Recent Blog: Smartercase with ultra clip for OQO

04/25/06 + zorg

Thanks for a WONDERFUL podcast! Tnkgrl, you show a great combination of insight and diplomacy! For me, it was inspiring to hear Jory Bell boast that he had the one intact team that touches every aspect of the mobile pc experience! That was the high point in an illuminating conversation, a trade secret that can be told but would be very hard for a competitor to use.

04/25/06 + minnie

Hi tnkgrl,

Thanks for asking Jory about the metal case. I will definitely be waiting to get that ....

minnie

04/25/06 + tnkgrl

*anthonyb* the podcast downloads fine for me from both my feed and from *store*'s mirror...

And FYI, I don't think I overreacted! I do feel that *slickster* was out of line.

Recent Blog: Bluetooth hack for the Asus 701 (Eee)

04/25/06 + MeanSquare

I think the comment about having "the only intact team that touches every aspect of the mobile experience" may have been the most illuminating of the whole pod-cast. I've wondered why the cPC and UMPCs look thrown together in comparison. Now I know why.

Recent Blog: MeanSquare's Review of the Sony UX (with comparison to OQO)

edited: Apr 25 2006 + Hite

"Actually, I took his response to mean that they would have liked to have a backlight, but they were already pushing the envelope in so many ways that it didn't make the cut. Just packing as much as they did into such a small package was challenge enough (one that, even to this day, no other company has been able to achieve.)"

it's not that they cant achieve it, it's that they choose not to. any large company could duplicate the OQO, even easier now that OQO has paved the way. the only reason large companies havent is because they didnt believe in the market potential at the time. once OQO got involved, they had no choice, this was their bread & butter and they had to ride it out.

really, Averatec has already duplicated what OQO invented. besides the 2 "wings" on the side it is nearly identical to the OQO in size and design (slide-up screen revealing thumboard). i think Averatec chose to add the wings to be distinct and "hip" (to cash in on the trendy Sidekick like devices crowd).

Although Jory wouldnt go into many details on companies he fears besides Sony & Samsung, i have NO doubt he is keeping tabs on Averatec (probably purposefully dismisses them because they are the #1 threat currently). if he follows the ultraportable market at all, which im sure he does, then he knows how Averatec came into laptop market & made a tremendous splash with their 12" models, then even challeneged the likes of Fujitsu & Sony in the 10" arena that they *owned*. on top of that they went through undercutting everyones prices around the board. with their new device being so similar to an OQO, but at 1/2 the price, i guarantee Jory is defintely feeling the heat. now people on this board will cry that it isnt quite as small as the OQO, but then u dont have business perspective that someone like Jory does, he knows that many many people will be willing to give up 1" on each side if they can get a device at 1/2 the price (more so the mainstream & defintely companies).

04/26/06 + hyiu00

Brighter screen! Brighter screen is what most important to me. My Treo 650, Nokia 6230i, and other notebooks all have much much brighter screen than the OQO. Even a regular Achos PMP has brighter and more colorful screen. Playing movies on the OQO? Forget it.

edited: Apr 26 2006 + fil

@hyiu00
Actually, the Sony U Gunze touch screen uses XBrite technology and the U display is much more vivd in daylight than the OQO display.

@Hite
You have to remember that the Averatec was a non-functional prototype. Even Bill Gates had a wooden UMPC last year.
Also, the 2 wings add the same size that the Sony U has, so I would not blow that off either. The Averatec is nice, but it's still not pocketable.

You can't discount working product that's shipping and pocketable.
Only OQO has this distinction.

I'm still hoping that Sony has something up their sleeve, but I think they're fighting for survival and are focusing on other, more lucrative markets.

Recent Blog: Apple iPhone Switch

04/26/06 + 2disbetter

"I'm still hoping that Sony has something up their sleeve, but I think they're fighting for survival and are focusing on other, more lucrative markets. "

They def are fighting, especially with how they flopped one of the potentially biggest money crops they had. I'm referring to the Star Wars Galaxies game. They could have made it huge, but they screwed it up so bad its not even funny.

04/26/06 + fil

Don't forget the PS3 screwed up launch.

Recent Blog: Apple iPhone Switch

04/26/06 + Hite

i dont "discount" anything, but people shouldnt take everything Jory says as the gods-honest non-biased truth just because he decided to do an interview for the "little people". i think people get caught up in the glamour of a situation and lose their logic caps. this is business, if anyone has ever been involved in major projects then they can tell you how ABSOLUTELY consumed you are with competition. he is aware, very aware, but of course he will downplay his concern. if anyone believes he is more concernced about Samsung & Sony that have shown absolutely *nothing* in this category, versus a company that has just produced a near identical copycat of his product, well.....

prototype doesnt mean it's non-functional, do you have an official quote from Averatec saying it's non-functional? even if it was, it can certainly be made, OQO made a device even smaller.

Bill Gates device was not a prototype, it was a mockup.