6 Comments For This Post

1. alese Says:
   May 7th, 2008 at 1:38 am

   I like the general idea, but at $500 it’s just too expensive compared to things like EEE or HP Mini-Note.

   Yes I know it’s a companion to the phone and not full laptop, so it’s not a fair comparation, but is it really?
   Redfly is supposed to “upgradde” your WM device to be a complete computing tool, with bigger screen/resolution and keyboard, so that you can use productivity appliactions like Word/Excel better, browse the Web better, do mails better…
   In my opinion the problem is just that - it enables you to do certain things better than on WM phone directly, but you can’t really do things like on “real” notebook. Let’s face it, WM applications are lacking and working with WM device as your main and only computing device is typically frustration full of compromises.
   For instance - Word and Excel don’t really compare in features, formating and other things still get lost when opening “native” files, you can’t really do all the things desktop versions can. And what about other Office applications - Power Point (Redfly enables presentations, that’s great, but you still can’t create a presentation in native WM), Visio (nothing really comparable and compatible exists), Project (a little better than Visio - there is an application, but it lacks features and compatibility). Even if you install TextMaker Office you still don’t get “full” office compatibility - but it is much better.
   What about browsing or mail, same story I don’t doubt that it’s better on Redfly than on phone, but again, browsers on WM still can’t really compare to desktop versions and mail client is again not all that good (FlexMail may be better, but it just doesn’t work for me…).
   There is RDP of course, but for me this is just a temporary sollution for sometimes, and it needs working connection.
   So at the end (sorry for the long post) you get same size device as ultra notebook, for the same price, with better battery life and a lot of compromises - I guess for me the notebook wins…

2. Judie Lipsett Says:
   May 7th, 2008 at 1:40 am

   alese, no need to apologize for a long post - ever! You raise some very good points.

3. sixftunda Says:
   May 7th, 2008 at 7:10 am

   I have been using the Redfly for several months now. Here is what I like about it.
   1. It’s not a laptop. The only maintenance is to charge it. It doesn’t have another OS I have to maintain. I don’t have to reboot it.
   2. I haven’t had to spend a nickel on it. Doesn’t need an extra battery like my hp2710p to get through the day, buy a second power cord or carry the one that came with it. Uses my phones version of Office Mobile so I didn’t have to buy it again (even though Office Mobile is not as good, I know).
   3. Even though its a second device, everything I do is on the one device I carry with me 24/7…my phone. I don’t carry my laptop or even the Redfly EVERYWHERE, but when I use the Redfly, everything I do is always with me because its on my phone. When I use my laptop, I would need to use something else to make sure the information is on my phone (Google docs, Sugar Sync, etc.)
   4. I feel more comfortable taking it places I wouldn’t take my laptop. I have been doing on site engraving the last two weeks. Lots of dust and sand. I wouldn’t dream of taking my 1900.00 laptop with me, but I still have people calling me, emailing stuff to me. This is mainly a personal reason, I am sure not many Redfly users are like me and wear a suit one day sitting in meetings and the next working outside.
   So I think there are some good reasons to have a device like this.

4. BobRussell Says:
   May 7th, 2008 at 9:19 am

   I love the idea of this device. But I agree that the price is a bit ridiculous. I’m sure there’s room for it to come down.

   But what’s the competition?
   1) Do remote control with SOTI using a cheap Windows mini-laptop, but it’s not as easy. Even worse, it’s going to have a very small battery life instead of 8 hours. It’s going to cost in the same ballpark also. The advantage is that you get full desktop apps and browser. Except that you probably only have wireless access via your phone, unless you are paying through the nose for a tethering plan, or sneak it hoping not to get caught.

   2) Make a home hack job with a BT keyboard and mouse, plus a battery operated screen, or display glasses. This requires a lot of tech wizardry and shopping, and still doesn’t give you ease of use, long battery life or a nice form factor. Not to mention that the device has to have tv/video out.

   3) Use an Asus Eee type laptop. If it’s Linux, it probably can’t to remote control of your phone. If it’s Windows, it’s back to case #1.

   I just don’t see any alternatives right now. The price point is strategic to take advantage of that with corporate customers, who will not make the decision based on whether it’s $250 or $500. They will decide by comparing strategic direction and TCO. It’s just a case of the consumer not being addressed. Except that you have to consider it fortunate that they are willing to sell to customers at all, if you think about it.

   Wait for a few years, and I’m sure there will be better solutions. Maybe even a Foleo II! Maybe a Redfly type solution. Or a cheap mini-laptop with lots of battery life plus a way to emulate the Redfly functionality with a SOTI-like program for Linux and/or Windows. One thing I’m certain of, is that it will happen, and not just for Windows Mobile. And it will be a lot cheaper.

   But for now, they’re the only game in town, so it’s going to be expensive. Still, I’m really really tempted. It’s just so hard to pay that kind of money and be left with a one-trick pony that only works with certain phones. Even so, I really want one. If only they would sell them in batches quickly so I could try to find a used one cheap!

5. Christopher Gavula Says:
   May 7th, 2008 at 9:42 am

   You know I have many of the same problems with this that I had with the infamous Palm Foleo. Primarily both were solutions in search of a problem (with the exception of a possible small niche market)

   So instead of carrying a $1000 laptop you’re going to carry a $500 PDA/phone plus a $500 add-in device. I’m not getting it. Clearly, I’m not the target market. I’d rather have my WM device, plus a fold-away BT keyboard and the Offce app suite from SoftMaker and pocket the rest of the money.

   Once again, although it might have some usefulness to a small number of users, generally it’s too much crap to carry and too much expense for too little payback. Not interested.

6. BobRussell Says:
   May 7th, 2008 at 10:33 am

   What I’d really like to see is an industry standard (or at least manufacturer standard) terminal connection. Whether it be BT, WiFi, miniUSB or even proprietary if necessary. Then you could have dumb terminal hardware for your smartphones regardless of OS. Even third party versions. And it would only take a college EE major to design one. I’d love it.

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