Tragic.

You seem to at least have some of the design ideas thought out. My best wishes to your endeavor. I troubleshoot like no other if the need ever comes up.

1. Consider integrating a laser Keyboard. This would eliminate the bulky keyboard. I don’t want to drag anything else when I travel. If you don’t want to integrate it, the currently available devices will connect with Bluetooth. Don’t lock us into a dock if we don’t want the apple keyboard.

2. Definitely support SDHC externally. Some of us need to switch data sets frequently. Also movies can be changed easily with SDHC cards.

3. Investigate supporting Amazon’s Whispernet if they will license it. The Redux has the Kindle beat all to hell, but I like the idea of being able to download reasonably priced books and music.

4. Consider making the Redux waterproof. One of my favorite places to read is the bathtub. This would avoid soggy pages and the worry of dropping it in the water.

Keep up the good work!

Cheers!

The software stack will be fully open source, so adding support for ogg is up to you.

Best regards
 -Ismael

I’ve not had the chance to view this site recently, and so am amazed at how far you’ve come in such a short time! I like the move towards simplicity and clean lines. I’m sure you’ve seen the widely copied video contrasting marketing styles. Take a look at this one for example.

I endorse Bob’s comments on the ability to change SD cards or other flash memory. They do eventually wear out and as new cards become bigger and lower in price, it’s not nice to be locked in! It’s also good to be able to swap “personality” by exchanging cards:

- One set with work data and local applications (e.g. MySQL, Apache, Ruby)
- Another with home movies, photos, etc.
- A third with your music collection (any chance of supporting the ogg formats?)

Then for the sake of a few grams and pieces of plastic the size of a postage stamp you can take the office with you and have entertainment when you’re on the move or away from home.

The software stack looks good as well, as long as you don’t forget a good ssh daemon implementation. As others have said, I suspect the demand will be huge. I certainly would like such a device.

Thanks for the feedback. Less is more indeed…

And yes, you could do e-mail, IM, and all the things you mentioned with the device.

-Ismael

I want one too! Would I be able to check my e-mail, do IM, and use a word processor, spreadsheet, and presentation software? That’s my primary need. I now use Google’s mobile applications and SoonR on my Blackberry 8830. However, I would love to have a larger screen a la iPhone.

Also, I was watching the design process and I am far from being an expert, but it seems to me that your on the right track with simplicity. The more connections you have, the more peripherals, adapters, chargers, etc. you need to carry, and that detracts from mobility.

-Ryan

As you know design for one issue can compromise others. I have to say that this design is looking good, thus my ‘balanced’ comment. I like the ‘clean’ approach that you’re taking. I’d say that you might be conservative on demand. I’d probably want one (not a hint), even though I may not be able to attend!

Good luck
 -Bob

Good point about the camera, I’ll keep that in mind!

Yes, you can replace the battery.

The OLPC XO has one such screen, but it’s a proprietary and exclusive design.

Best regards
 -Ismael

This is looking like a very good and well balanced design. Has anyone suggested the similarity to the props that first appeared in Star Trek Generations? Two comments; camera and access to internal components.

I think that placing the camera in the keyboard might solve the problem of placement, but will provide an excellent view of one’s chin!

If you plan to place the SD/SIM card inside (totally enclosed?), will you be able to open it from time to time to change them? As with all those devices, my experience with rechargeable batteries is that their life span is variable from a few months to a couple of years. My advice would be to make them replaceable.

As an aside (and I’ve not kept up to date with display devices recently), is there any progress on screens that can maintain a static display without power? Monochrome I know is available, color I don’t know. This could have power benefits and be visible with the rest of the unit off, even without a backlight as the contrast ratio is so good.

Cheers
 -Bob