Celio’s REDFLY ready for consumer purchase
Earlier this year, James and I took a hands-on look at the REDFLY from Celio. This device is a similar concept to the Palm Foleo; a mobile solution that never quite made it to market. It uses your Windows Mobile device as the "brains" and connection, while offering an 800 x 480 display and full keyboard. James gave it a full overview and found it to be a very usable mobile solution for a multitude of applications.
Many readers were interested in this device at that time, but Celio started out by targeting the corporate environment for good reasons: there’s tons of Windows Mobile smartphones in the enterprise and the REDFLY requires no support from the I.T. folks: just connect it to your device and go to work. Consumers had to wait a while, but the $499 REDFLY is now available online at Amazon and Expansys. Folks that have a higher-end Windows Mobile device might be more inclined to purchase one at this price, but I’d be curious to hear reader’s thoughts. Way back when the REDFLY was introduced, we didn’t have so many similarly priced netbooks available. Since I haven’t invested heavily on software for the Windows Mobile platform, I’d be more inclined to buy a full-featured and similarly sized netbook at that price. That’s just my situation… how about you?
(via The Mobile Gadgeteer)
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I agree. For this price, it would make much more sense to get a netbook and tether it to your mobile for an internet connection on the go. It seems to me that anyone who buys this device (and it is just a device, not a computer) lacks imagination.
I have considered purchasing a RedFly, I even pre-ordered one, which I latter canceled do to late shipping. The big attraction to me is the battery life. The 2nd thing is the idea of really having just one “computing platform” and then extending it.
If I had the money at this time I would probably pick one up. But I am also debating a netbook instead. It is a conundrum.
Pricing doesn’t work for me either, though in theory I find the device very attractive.
Couldn’t agree more with the OP. This thing makes sense at $200-$250; it makes no sense at $499, and I think Celio is going find that out pretty quickly when their shipping department is sitting around on their hands all day.
Couldn’t agree more with the OP. This thing makes sense at $200-$250; it makes no sense at $499, and I think Celio is going find that out pretty quickly when their shipping department is sitting around on their hands all day.
I just got the price protection rebate from Amazon for my Acer Aspire One. They’re now selling for $379 on Amazon as well.
$499 and no brain or $379 with a brain?
Hang on, I’m checking my brain on this one…
I have to agree also. For the average user $499 gets a nice net book you can tether to. If your not in the corporate world letting you boss buy the hardware, this doen’t make sense until the price drops to the mid-$200 mark. I do like the concept though.
Way to expensive to be a success, i think time ran out for the device, before the arrival of all the cheap net books there was probably a place for it
I have an iPAQ HX4705, but I rarely use it. $500 to rarely use it on a bigger screen doesn’t make much sense to me.
If I didn’t have 2 tablet PCs, this might have some appeal. Since I do, it has no appeal for me. But buttoned-down executive types who sit in corner offices might like this.
Woadan
We have one of these in the office. Its nice and has a good feel but at that price, I can not see buying it. Its still needs your phone and is a two piece solution. For that money, a HP mini-note or the like would be a far better purchase.