Form Factors
David Pogue had an interesting article in the New York Times recently about the uselessness of Microsoft’s Ultra-Mobile PC (UMPC) idea (also touted by Intel). I agree completely. And it reminded me of some thinking I did recently about my ideal form factors.
Basically, I want one device, I can carry in my pocket, that can do everything a pocketable device is good for. If the device doesn’t fit in my pocket, then it might as well be a 15″ ultraportable laptop, because I’m going to have to carry a bag to put it in. I don’t see anything in between making sense for me.
My ideal pocket device has a bright VGA screen about 2.5″ across. It also has a qwerty keyboard (I’m spoiled by my Blackberry). To fit in my pocket, the keyboard likely needs to slide out. It can take high-res photos and videos, and play and record mp3s. It works as a phone, and I can hold it up to my ear as well as use a headset. I don’t care about WiFi, because I’ll have EVDO or EDGE, and that’s fast enough for the limited surfing I’ll do. I want email, with the ability to file messages on the server. I want GPS and basic driving directions. Obviously it needs to sync with my desktop and web services for contacts, appointments, and todos.
For just about everything else: heavy email, spreadsheets, powerpoint, photo editing, etc, etc, I will use a laptop. Don’t try to shoehorn these things into my pocket device, please.
We are getting pretty close. Some of the new HTC phones seem pretty cool. But I’m still waiting…
May 12th, 2006 at 9:30 am
I think that the form-factor you’re looking for might just be coming in the Motorola Q: http://www.motorola.com/motoinfo/product/details.jsp?globalObjectId=113
While I agree that no form-factor is perfect for every use and user, I’m sold on the idea of replacing my laptop wih a UMPC-style device for travel as long as it has a built-in DVD/CD-RW. Comfortably watching DVD’s is the one thing that my cell phone (a treo 650) can’t handle on plane trips.
May 12th, 2006 at 8:46 pm
Marc, thanks for the pointer. I had seen that one as well, but with Mot I will wait and see – they have a pretty mixed record on quality.
May 12th, 2006 at 9:56 pm
Tom:
I couldn’t agree with you more and I’d like to add easy integration (blue tooth) with my car stero for playing mp3s. If one was willing to spend and extra $1K and have multiple add ons sticking out of my phone and attached to my dashboard I could add most of what you mention to my Treo 650 but neither the clutter nor the cost make sense to me.
-Andrew