Comments on: Either netbooks are getting more like cellphones, or vice versa http://liliputing.com/2009/02/either-netbooks-are-getting-more-like-cellphones-or-vice-versa.html Compact Computing Sun, 12 Feb 2012 20:56:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: DougC3 http://liliputing.com/2009/02/either-netbooks-are-getting-more-like-cellphones-or-vice-versa.html#comment-48594 DougC3 Thu, 26 Feb 2009 11:42:00 +0000 http://www.liliputing.com/?p=5992#comment-48594 All these ideas about converged and paired devices sound great and some will no doubt succeed, but the main appeal of the netbook is its single unit clamshell design. You can just throw it in your bag and go, then pull out that one item and use it on your lap, etc, without worry about balancing dangling (or blue tooth) keyboards, mice, or other ancillaries, unless you have to tether a modem :). All these ideas about converged and paired devices sound great and some will no doubt succeed, but the main appeal of the netbook is its single unit clamshell design. You can just throw it in your bag and go, then pull out that one item and use it on your lap, etc, without worry about balancing dangling (or blue tooth) keyboards, mice, or other ancillaries, unless you have to tether a modem :) .

]]> By: DougC3 http://liliputing.com/2009/02/either-netbooks-are-getting-more-like-cellphones-or-vice-versa.html#comment-16187 DougC3 Thu, 26 Feb 2009 06:42:00 +0000 http://www.liliputing.com/?p=5992#comment-16187 All these ideas about converged and paired devices sound great and some will no doubt succeed, but the main appeal of the netbook is its single unit clamshell design. You can just throw it in your bag and go, then pull out that one item and use it on your lap, etc, without worry about balancing dangling (or blue tooth) keyboards, mice, or other ancillaries, unless you have to tether a modem :). All these ideas about converged and paired devices sound great and some will no doubt succeed, but the main appeal of the netbook is its single unit clamshell design. You can just throw it in your bag and go, then pull out that one item and use it on your lap, etc, without worry about balancing dangling (or blue tooth) keyboards, mice, or other ancillaries, unless you have to tether a modem :) .

]]> By: Fduch http://liliputing.com/2009/02/either-netbooks-are-getting-more-like-cellphones-or-vice-versa.html#comment-16159 Fduch Wed, 25 Feb 2009 16:41:57 +0000 http://www.liliputing.com/?p=5992#comment-16159 That's it!<br>But it should be as powerful as notebooks not smartphones. That's it!
But it should be as powerful as notebooks not smartphones.

]]> By: Dick http://liliputing.com/2009/02/either-netbooks-are-getting-more-like-cellphones-or-vice-versa.html#comment-16071 Dick Tue, 24 Feb 2009 10:26:22 +0000 http://www.liliputing.com/?p=5992#comment-16071 I wish, I wish.<br><br>There was, or is, a company called Riscos<br><a href="http://www.riscos.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.riscos.com/</a><br>that worked on a version of the excellent RISC Operating System by Acorn, modified for use on Netbooks with an ARM processor. They had as target the Psion Netbook; the OS was called RON (work it out!). <br><br>The RON/Netbook combination had, and still has, the potential of piggybacking on the wide range of software developed for the Acorn RISC computer, which was brilliant in its time and is still something I hanker for. <br><br>If only .......................<br><br>- I still have some software spirited away ............... I wish, I wish.

There was, or is, a company called Riscos
http://www.riscos.com/
that worked on a version of the excellent RISC Operating System by Acorn, modified for use on Netbooks with an ARM processor. They had as target the Psion Netbook; the OS was called RON (work it out!).

The RON/Netbook combination had, and still has, the potential of piggybacking on the wide range of software developed for the Acorn RISC computer, which was brilliant in its time and is still something I hanker for.

If only …………………..

- I still have some software spirited away ……………

]]> By: DG http://liliputing.com/2009/02/either-netbooks-are-getting-more-like-cellphones-or-vice-versa.html#comment-16069 DG Tue, 24 Feb 2009 10:04:46 +0000 http://www.liliputing.com/?p=5992#comment-16069 Not just US, being in the UK (and telcos being evil global tentacle beast now anyway) Not just US, being in the UK (and telcos being evil global tentacle beast now anyway)

]]> By: turn.self.off http://liliputing.com/2009/02/either-netbooks-are-getting-more-like-cellphones-or-vice-versa.html#comment-16067 turn.self.off Tue, 24 Feb 2009 09:46:50 +0000 http://www.liliputing.com/?p=5992#comment-16067 take a look at the celio redfly:<br><a href="http://www.celiocorp.com/product/" rel="nofollow">http://www.celiocorp.com/product/</a> take a look at the celio redfly:
http://www.celiocorp.com/product/

]]> By: turn.self.off http://liliputing.com/2009/02/either-netbooks-are-getting-more-like-cellphones-or-vice-versa.html#comment-16066 turn.self.off Tue, 24 Feb 2009 09:46:05 +0000 http://www.liliputing.com/?p=5992#comment-16066 im just darn happy im not subject to silly US telco decisions ;) im just darn happy im not subject to silly US telco decisions ;)

]]> By: turn.self.off http://liliputing.com/2009/02/either-netbooks-are-getting-more-like-cellphones-or-vice-versa.html#comment-16065 turn.self.off Tue, 24 Feb 2009 09:44:35 +0000 http://www.liliputing.com/?p=5992#comment-16065 now your overlooking the omap3 and other cortex based cpus (and equivalents). they have the horsepower to match atom on most tasks, and use no more then current ARM based cpus.<br><br>even more so as ARM is working on multi-core designs...<br><br>there is nothing that says that a ARM cpu cant power a 10-12" device... now your overlooking the omap3 and other cortex based cpus (and equivalents). they have the horsepower to match atom on most tasks, and use no more then current ARM based cpus.

even more so as ARM is working on multi-core designs…

there is nothing that says that a ARM cpu cant power a 10-12″ device…

]]> By: turn.self.off http://liliputing.com/2009/02/either-netbooks-are-getting-more-like-cellphones-or-vice-versa.html#comment-16064 turn.self.off Tue, 24 Feb 2009 09:41:00 +0000 http://www.liliputing.com/?p=5992#comment-16064 thing is that as intel slows down x86 to make it more energy efficient, ARM speeds their stuff up without impacting power use.<br><br>so at some point one will hit a sweet spot where the cpu will not be the issue, but more what software is available to the user (and what the user is familiar with or wants to learn to use).<br><br>i would say that what have kept x86 in use this whole time is that microsoft never bothered with either a transparent emulation layer or "fat binaries" like what apple pulled when they jumped to x86. thing is that as intel slows down x86 to make it more energy efficient, ARM speeds their stuff up without impacting power use.

so at some point one will hit a sweet spot where the cpu will not be the issue, but more what software is available to the user (and what the user is familiar with or wants to learn to use).

i would say that what have kept x86 in use this whole time is that microsoft never bothered with either a transparent emulation layer or “fat binaries” like what apple pulled when they jumped to x86.

]]> By: turn.self.off http://liliputing.com/2009/02/either-netbooks-are-getting-more-like-cellphones-or-vice-versa.html#comment-16063 turn.self.off Tue, 24 Feb 2009 09:36:44 +0000 http://www.liliputing.com/?p=5992#comment-16063 heh, some wont allow me to forget.<br><br>i ended up in a debate with one that claimed that 12" and 1280 resolution was what should have been the minimum requirements for a netbook...<br><br>me, i would not be surprised if netbooks turn into something like the celio redfly. basically a larger keyboard and display that one can hook up to the multi-core ARM cortex powered smartphone as needed.<br><br>maybe one will see places like starbucks and libraries provide users with systems like that. iirc, celio was working on a desktop style version of their redfly, so that one could connect normal keyboard and display to a small box, that would then connect to the phone.<br><br>bring your data with you on your phone, use whatever interface you have available where you are at the time. i swear i have been mentally toying with that idea for some time... heh, some wont allow me to forget.

i ended up in a debate with one that claimed that 12″ and 1280 resolution was what should have been the minimum requirements for a netbook…

me, i would not be surprised if netbooks turn into something like the celio redfly. basically a larger keyboard and display that one can hook up to the multi-core ARM cortex powered smartphone as needed.

maybe one will see places like starbucks and libraries provide users with systems like that. iirc, celio was working on a desktop style version of their redfly, so that one could connect normal keyboard and display to a small box, that would then connect to the phone.

bring your data with you on your phone, use whatever interface you have available where you are at the time. i swear i have been mentally toying with that idea for some time…

]]> By: DG http://liliputing.com/2009/02/either-netbooks-are-getting-more-like-cellphones-or-vice-versa.html#comment-16062 DG Tue, 24 Feb 2009 09:32:48 +0000 http://www.liliputing.com/?p=5992#comment-16062 Technically, no reason. However, by going down the route they've taken, the mobile telcos can charge us twice for essentially the same thing by selling two contracts when one should be perfectly adequate.<br><br>Exactly the same reason why we need 3G dongles etc when we could just use Bluetooth with our existing phone. Yes, I know that is possible in many cases, but almost universally against terms and conditions of contract, and if caught out, you could be charged exorbitantly. Technically, no reason. However, by going down the route they've taken, the mobile telcos can charge us twice for essentially the same thing by selling two contracts when one should be perfectly adequate.

Exactly the same reason why we need 3G dongles etc when we could just use Bluetooth with our existing phone. Yes, I know that is possible in many cases, but almost universally against terms and conditions of contract, and if caught out, you could be charged exorbitantly.

]]> By: Lee http://liliputing.com/2009/02/either-netbooks-are-getting-more-like-cellphones-or-vice-versa.html#comment-16060 Lee Tue, 24 Feb 2009 09:00:59 +0000 http://www.liliputing.com/?p=5992#comment-16060 What I see is simple. Smartphones can benefit more from netbook technology than netbooks can benefit from using ARM processors. They will always be divergent. Running a full desktop OS like a customized Linux beyond the current capabilities of Android will make smartphones infinitely more powerful. And that is where I think things will go. Netbooks don't need to be any LESS powerful or any larger. I feel the formula is right and that eventually their processors and abilities will catch up to their size such that there will be fewer differences between full desktops and netbooks. The netbook will become THE book, the laptop, the main computer. It will be able to do everything a laptop or desktop can do, just smaller and cheaper. And smartphones too. That s the dream. That will be the reality. What I see is simple. Smartphones can benefit more from netbook technology than netbooks can benefit from using ARM processors. They will always be divergent. Running a full desktop OS like a customized Linux beyond the current capabilities of Android will make smartphones infinitely more powerful. And that is where I think things will go. Netbooks don't need to be any LESS powerful or any larger. I feel the formula is right and that eventually their processors and abilities will catch up to their size such that there will be fewer differences between full desktops and netbooks. The netbook will become THE book, the laptop, the main computer. It will be able to do everything a laptop or desktop can do, just smaller and cheaper. And smartphones too. That s the dream. That will be the reality.

]]> By: Loki http://liliputing.com/2009/02/either-netbooks-are-getting-more-like-cellphones-or-vice-versa.html#comment-16058 Loki Tue, 24 Feb 2009 07:07:50 +0000 http://www.liliputing.com/?p=5992#comment-16058 I think all types of gadgets should benefit from each other. Say, you can build a GSM/GPRS device into a portable laptop, or you can augment a cell phone with a QWERTY keyboard. But manufacturers should be always reasonable about what they are trying to do. You can stuff a cellphone with a fully charged tauzand megahurtz processor but you shouldn't complain if it dies after 5 minutes of usage. You can also enable GSM calls on netbook but it'd be strange to expect people wandering around carrying lappies at their ears with a hand (though, thinking of Vaio P...).<br><br>I think every gadget should occupy its market and consumer niche. You would never expect a professional photographer to consider your cameraphone as an alternative to his main cam. But you should enable cam in the phone if it won't make it too expensive so that people could take pictures of ads, links in periodic press, their credit card numbers or stuff they want to share right now. You should also let cellphone connect to the internet and browse normal web sites so that people could do that not on a regular basis but in case of emergency.<br><br>With the rise of netbooks with their compactness, lightweight and satisfactory performance nobody would expect normal laptops to die out. They also have their consumers.<br><br>I wouldn't expect smart phones and netbooks to merge someday soon. More likely all cellphones would become smartphones or PDA-likes in the close future. And maybe with the development of cloud computing desktops would become smaller and less power-hungry. I think all types of gadgets should benefit from each other. Say, you can build a GSM/GPRS device into a portable laptop, or you can augment a cell phone with a QWERTY keyboard. But manufacturers should be always reasonable about what they are trying to do. You can stuff a cellphone with a fully charged tauzand megahurtz processor but you shouldn't complain if it dies after 5 minutes of usage. You can also enable GSM calls on netbook but it'd be strange to expect people wandering around carrying lappies at their ears with a hand (though, thinking of Vaio P…).

I think every gadget should occupy its market and consumer niche. You would never expect a professional photographer to consider your cameraphone as an alternative to his main cam. But you should enable cam in the phone if it won't make it too expensive so that people could take pictures of ads, links in periodic press, their credit card numbers or stuff they want to share right now. You should also let cellphone connect to the internet and browse normal web sites so that people could do that not on a regular basis but in case of emergency.

With the rise of netbooks with their compactness, lightweight and satisfactory performance nobody would expect normal laptops to die out. They also have their consumers.

I wouldn't expect smart phones and netbooks to merge someday soon. More likely all cellphones would become smartphones or PDA-likes in the close future. And maybe with the development of cloud computing desktops would become smaller and less power-hungry.

]]> By: Stevjosco http://liliputing.com/2009/02/either-netbooks-are-getting-more-like-cellphones-or-vice-versa.html#comment-16056 Stevjosco Tue, 24 Feb 2009 06:22:42 +0000 http://www.liliputing.com/?p=5992#comment-16056 Have you seen the modu phone (http://www.modumobile.com)? <br>I think a combination of a modu and a NetBook could be the answer to the phone/portable computer solution. Going out clubbing, jogging, riding etc. but don't want to carry a small computer with you? Simply undock the modu from the NetBook and away you go. Then when you want to go to the park and chill out while working on your blog, just slip the modu back into the Netbook and you have 3G wireless internet as well as being able to make and take calls.<br>Ticks all the boxes if you ask me. Have you seen the modu phone (http://www.modumobile.com)?
I think a combination of a modu and a NetBook could be the answer to the phone/portable computer solution. Going out clubbing, jogging, riding etc. but don't want to carry a small computer with you? Simply undock the modu from the NetBook and away you go. Then when you want to go to the park and chill out while working on your blog, just slip the modu back into the Netbook and you have 3G wireless internet as well as being able to make and take calls.
Ticks all the boxes if you ask me.

]]> By: The Future of Netbooks « Papyrus News http://liliputing.com/2009/02/either-netbooks-are-getting-more-like-cellphones-or-vice-versa.html#comment-16055 The Future of Netbooks « Papyrus News Tue, 24 Feb 2009 06:18:04 +0000 http://www.liliputing.com/?p=5992#comment-16055 [...] further discussion of the future of netbooks, see Liliputing and [...] [...] further discussion of the future of netbooks, see Liliputing and [...]

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