Comments on: Celio’s REDFLY – The Ultimate Smartphone Extension Review Part 1

By: neoterix

neoterix — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 20:22:27 +0000

The biggest advantage I see in the Redfly over something like the Eee PC or other similarly priced ultraportable is the wireless internet aspect. For someone like me with a Sprint plan and a inexpensive “unlimited” internet plan for my Windows Mobile phone, my phone offers near-ubiquitous internet access, perfect for news reading, forum browsing, or emailing. The biggest limitation is the postage-stamp sized browsing experience on my Motorola Q9c.

While an Eee PC or other ultraportable provides more flexibility and more power, you’re tethered to wifi at limited locations (and often have to pay extra). Alternatively, you could get a 3G card, but that entails the significantly higher data/tethering costs on top of your regular voice/internet plan.

By: BobRussell

BobRussell — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 15:36:45 +0000

Every discussion about the RedFly always seems to come down to… for $500 I could get an Eee or some other laptop. (Sorry, mchinsky. I’m not trying to pick on you. You were just wrong place at the wrong time – I needed an example.)

First of all, you have to set it up and maintain it. Secondly, you have to sync data. Thirdly, it’s bigger and clumsier. Forth, battery life is not nearly as long. Fifth, you can use USB storage as if on the phone. But most of all, there is no available software for Linux or Windows to not only control he Win Mobile device, but to also expand the resolution and make connection quick and easy over BT and USB.

Okay, my point is not that it’s better than a laptop. But simply that a laptop doesn’t do the same thing that the RedFly does. I think $500 is a bit much also, but it’s aimed at enterprise customers (a bargain if you look at TCO) and well, it’s the only game in town right now.

In the future, with devices that have VGA and better displays, though, a competitor should be able to make something cheap and easy by simply adding an external keyboard/screen in the same form factor.

You actually probably right, mchinsky, so forgive the outpouring here. Many/most average consumer-type people will want a small laptop instead of a RedFly. And eventually software will emerge to do RedFly stuff on a laptop. Hopefully on Linux versions and Windows. And a RedFly for now is really only useful for a certain set of compatible WinMo devices.

But right now, it’s a product that seems really valuable to me and I’d love to have one. Justifying $500 to myself is the trick…

By: TrvlngDrew

TrvlngDrew — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 14:18:42 +0000

No fair Trevor!! We can’t get a Folio!! Ergo no choice!

By: Torturous Trevor the Technoholic

Torturous Trevor the Technoholic — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 14:09:25 +0000

Looks very interesting, but I will stay with my Folio. Looking forward to part 2.

By: mchinsky

mchinsky — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 12:04:02 +0000

I don’t get it. At that price you could pretty much have a an EE or something.

Concept is right, but price doesn’t work. If they made an iphone compatible unit, that could be interesting as well.

By: xdalaw

xdalaw — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 11:33:23 +0000

I’d grab one of these in a heartbeat if the price was more reasonable. Perhaps something like $200. As it is, it’s just too rich for my blood.

By: BobRussell

BobRussell — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 10:30:41 +0000

Clinton… any chance you can address using it with logmein or other remote desktop applications? (BT and/or USB connected.) That would be my killer app that would justify a $500 price tag, if it works well. Celio seems to allude to that on its web site, but I have yet to see anyone try it out. (Logmein has a free WinMobile version, btw, but you do have to set up the desktop as well.)

By: Kamal D.S

Kamal D.S — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 06:10:15 +0000

It has almost same size as EEE 701(and resolution too) But, the price is not same as EEE. ($350 vs $500)

By: sixftunda

sixftunda — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 03:08:56 +0000

Mine will have to be pried from my cold dead hands. Patiently waiting for drivers for the Touch though

By: Clinton Fitch

Clinton Fitch — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 02:26:28 +0000

TrvlngDrew,

It is very Folio-esque! I’ll get into to using the device in part two in a couple of weeks but I will say I’ve been impressed so far. How’s that for a tease?!

Augie, dreamed in what regard?

By: Augie

Augie — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 01:25:09 +0000

i seriously dreamed of this before

By: TrvlngDrew

TrvlngDrew — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:30:13 +0000

Very Folio – esque! Curious to see how you find it in terms of actual use.. Still having problems incorporating a UMPC into my daily gear, this one looks as difficult..