5 ms·

Ethernet and WiFi are not built in, but the device is compatible with several WiFi SDIO cards, including the Spectec SDW-821 and SDW-823, says Qi Hardware. Tha

by duck 17y ago

Ethernet and WiFi are not built in, but the device is compatible with several WiFi SDIO cards, including the Spectec SDW-821 and SDW-823, says Qi Hardware. That seems like a big mistake and it's no longer $99 for most people.

JeremyChase 17y ago
Some people are never happy. For the love of Pete; this thing is only $99.
- axod 17y ago
  You can get a zipit for $49.99. http://www.zipitwireless.com/default.aspx?skinid=1 http://www.zipitwireless.com/default.aspx?skinid=1 Which includes wifi, color 320x240 LCD, qwerty backlit keyboard. Here's a NES emulator running on it http://hackaday.com/2009/09/25/with-zipit-who-needs-a-netbook/ http://hackaday.com/2009/09/25/with-zipit-who-needs-a-netboo...
  - sp332 17y ago
    Hak.5 did a how-to / review of rooted zipit, it's pretty cool for $50. http://www.hak5.org/mod/unlocking-linux-on-the-zipit-z2-a-50-hacktop http://www.hak5.org/mod/unlocking-linux-on-the-zipit-z2-a-50... They've also got a how-to on running Doom http://www.hak5.org/episodes/episode-618 http://www.hak5.org/episodes/episode-618
  - chanux 17y ago
    And load a Debian spin on it http://zipit.rootnexus.org http://zipit.rootnexus.org
  - anthonyb 17y ago
    Could be a loss leader though. From that first link: "After your year of free messaging has ended you can buy another year of messaging for a one-time charge of only $29.95."
- duck 17y ago
  I am actually always happy, but my point was why not include wifi (and charge more if needed)? I mean, even toasters have wifi now. (edit: okay, maybe not a toaster - but how about a refrigerator - http://freshgadgetnews.com/displays/digital-frames/zipel-e-diary-refrigerator-with-wi-fi-connectivity/ http://freshgadgetnews.com/displays/digital-frames/zipel-e-d...) Today just seems like a step back to 2000 by not having wifi builtin.
  - deleted 17y ago
    [deleted]
  - aaronbrethorst 17y ago
    I know a guy whose bathroom scale tweets every morning after he steps on it. http://www.withings.com/ http://www.withings.com/ Seems a little excessive, but no more so than a toaster with wifi.
chanux 17y ago
It's obviously not for the people who fancy iPads. But hardware geeks might love to have one.
- brk 17y ago
  (honest question) what would you do these days with a screen and a keyboard that didn't have a ready interface to the outside world? I looked at this, and it seemed like another "almost, but not quite" sort of project platform.
  - chanux 17y ago
    Yeah I'm sorry. It really is over priced. http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/03/coby-85-smartbook-feels-like-a-hundred-bucks-hands-on http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/03/coby-85-smartbook-feels-l...
Kadin 17y ago
Yeah that's a bit of a bummer. I understand the need to hit the $99 price point, but it's a bit less compelling when you realize it's effectively a $140 device with no SD card slot, once you buy and install a WiFi card. Still, I applaud the effort and hope that the upgraded models will be out soon.

by duck 17y ago

JeremyChase 17y ago

Some people are never happy. For the love of Pete; this thing is only $99.

axod 17y ago
You can get a zipit for $49.99. http://www.zipitwireless.com/default.aspx?skinid=1 http://www.zipitwireless.com/default.aspx?skinid=1 Which includes wifi, color 320x240 LCD, qwerty backlit keyboard. Here's a NES emulator running on it http://hackaday.com/2009/09/25/with-zipit-who-needs-a-netbook/ http://hackaday.com/2009/09/25/with-zipit-who-needs-a-netboo...
- sp332 17y ago
  Hak.5 did a how-to / review of rooted zipit, it's pretty cool for $50. http://www.hak5.org/mod/unlocking-linux-on-the-zipit-z2-a-50-hacktop http://www.hak5.org/mod/unlocking-linux-on-the-zipit-z2-a-50... They've also got a how-to on running Doom http://www.hak5.org/episodes/episode-618 http://www.hak5.org/episodes/episode-618
- chanux 17y ago
  And load a Debian spin on it http://zipit.rootnexus.org http://zipit.rootnexus.org
- anthonyb 17y ago
  Could be a loss leader though. From that first link: "After your year of free messaging has ended you can buy another year of messaging for a one-time charge of only $29.95."
duck 17y ago
I am actually always happy, but my point was why not include wifi (and charge more if needed)? I mean, even toasters have wifi now. (edit: okay, maybe not a toaster - but how about a refrigerator - http://freshgadgetnews.com/displays/digital-frames/zipel-e-diary-refrigerator-with-wi-fi-connectivity/ http://freshgadgetnews.com/displays/digital-frames/zipel-e-d...) Today just seems like a step back to 2000 by not having wifi builtin.
- deleted 17y ago
  [deleted]
- aaronbrethorst 17y ago
  I know a guy whose bathroom scale tweets every morning after he steps on it. http://www.withings.com/ http://www.withings.com/ Seems a little excessive, but no more so than a toaster with wifi.

chanux 17y ago

It's obviously not for the people who fancy iPads. But hardware geeks might love to have one.

brk 17y ago
(honest question) what would you do these days with a screen and a keyboard that didn't have a ready interface to the outside world? I looked at this, and it seemed like another "almost, but not quite" sort of project platform.
- chanux 17y ago
  Yeah I'm sorry. It really is over priced. http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/03/coby-85-smartbook-feels-like-a-hundred-bucks-hands-on http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/03/coby-85-smartbook-feels-l...

Kadin 17y ago

Yeah that's a bit of a bummer. I understand the need to hit the $99 price point, but it's a bit less compelling when you realize it's effectively a $140 device with no SD card slot, once you buy and install a WiFi card. Still, I applaud the effort and hope that the upgraded models will be out soon.