New mobile technology blurs the line between cell phone and PC
Jennifer McClelland | RSS | 33 Comments
There was a lot of new technology introduced at the Consumer Electronics Show at the beginning of the year. Now is the time when that new technology has started to come out and become available to the public.
There is finally word about the Palm Pre coming out soon. The New York Times said yesterday that the phone would be coming out the first week of June. The phone, which has been hailed as the device that may very well save Palm from the brink of bankruptcy, has a new and “revolutionary” operating system called WebOS. Palm hasn’t created a new operating system in many years.
Then there is another mobile device gartering some attention: the new Acer Aspire One netbooks have new features like a multi-gesture touchpad (think iPhone like gestures for a laptop touchpad), a card reader that reads many different formats than just SD or Memory Stick Pro, and one of the largest screens for a “netbook.” At just over 11”, the A0751h is starting to cross into the ultra portable category where 12” laptops can sell for well over $1,500. However the A0751h keeps its price at around $350 MSRP.
With the introduction of new technologies, it is becoming more and more difficult to draw the line at what is a computer, what is a cell phone, and the difference between a netbook and a ultra portable laptop. Sure, when you look at a cell phone, you can see that it is a device that is subsidized by a cellular carrier, GSM phones have SIM cards…But, now there are netbooks that are being subsidized by cellular companies (that even require SIM cards for AT&T). Then there is a whole new category of MIDs (Mobile Internet Devices) that are handheld computers that are able to do most of the things that netbooks can do. Look at the picture at the top of the post…
This is a MID, but it doesn’t look too different from a HTC Tilt, or Touch Pro. These MIDs are really blurring the line between cellular device and PC and it’s not like it would be too difficult to put a cellular receiver in any of these devices to make them a cell phone.
I think that one day soon, the computer and the cell phone will be one device. Kind of like how there aren’t as many people carrying around cameras anymore since their phones’ cameras have fairly good resolution (or in the case of the Samsung Memoir for T-Mobile, it has an 8 megapixel camera attached). I wouldn’t mind having a device that did it all…camera, phone, computer. I already have a laptop I leave at home, a Palm Centro for my phone calls, a netbook for taking to school and traveling, and a digital camera…being able to have all of these devices in one place would be great.
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Tags: mobile internet devices, new technology, cellular
Giomar from Resume | Tue, May 19 2009
I always like following the electronics show because of all the neat new things that come out. It helps set the stage for what a consumer can expect to see in the coming year.
soleh | Wed, May 20 2009
This is cool, I hope the wireless connection from the internet can reach the line of a phone soon.
Gerry | Tue, Jun 02 2009
I think the limiting factor for many is keyboard size and that weighs heavily in favor of a netbook or UMPC. I personally can’t handle the smallness of anything similar in size to a cell phone or PDA.
Chris McClelland | Tue, Jun 02 2009
Keyboard size is definitively a factor for me when it comes to cellphones and laptops. I just upgraded from a Motorola Q to an HTC Touch Pro, Jen is using the Centro and wants to upgrade to the Pre. I can’t even type on the Centro.
As far as netbooks, we have one at home here, but even I find it a bit awkward to type on b/c the keyboard is only 80% original size. I’m very impressed with what it can do, but if I am traveling and need to get any “real” work done I bring my 13 inch laptop. It’s small enough to be light but large enough to see and do everything that I want and need.
peterson | Wed, Jun 10 2009
It’s great that Palm is coming with new operating system it means that it have lot of new feature processing will be fast.
remesh | Mon, Jun 15 2009
Wow awesome.. really a great phone.. fantastic. It’s got all the features.
gilbert | Thu, Jun 18 2009
Wow amazing gadget..i want to have this one.. yes i agree with you that technology are fast growing today…we will not be surprise if the computers and cell phones can be one devices..
borjz | Wed, Jun 24 2009
Great gadget…want to try the feature of this palm. I agree to what you said that we wont wonder if in the coming years more and more high technology are coming out and getting smaller yet powerful gadget.
jasmine | Mon, Jul 06 2009
I think the limiting factor for many devices is keyboard size and that weighs heavily in favor of a netbook.
Amy from FreebieJeebies | Sat, Aug 01 2009
I can see a time when the handheld games consoles (PSP, DSi) are completely replaced by mobile phone technology. I think that it’s time to get all the development in these as quickly as possible, because they don’t have long left.
Chris McClelland | Sat, Aug 01 2009
Hey now, I love my PSP, but I agree with you the days of handhelds are limited when compared to cellphones. I mean I can hack my HTC Touch Pro to play some 16bit games. Of coarse I am awaiting the first true MMORPG for cell phones that would be neat, until then I’m using my PSP.
Lisam from Wedding Invitations | Sun, Aug 23 2009
Small screen is always portable but is not really convenient if we used to work with larger monitors. I used to work on 19 inch monitor and my tablet pc feels like a mobile phone. Even though you can do so many things, just like you did on computers, but the small screen does not really gives the umph. Well, that is just my personal opinion.
simon from discount window blinds | Mon, Sep 21 2009
It is my opinion that cell phones are indeed replacing computers and the change over has largely happened among the very mobile set. You can access email and web pages from most cell phones now and this allows complete mobility and Internet access. And without too much hassle, you can set up VNC, or some other kind of remote access software, in case you need to log into your main computer.
The world is now literally at our fingertips wherever we are. Ain’t it great!
Giomar from Online Media | Tue, Sep 22 2009
Yes it is Simon, I regularly update my website from various places where carrying a laptop would be annoying. All you need is a signal and you can do just about anything.
Sell Your Mobile | Wed, Sep 30 2009
I love where you said With the introduction of new technologies, it is becoming more and more difficult to draw the line at what is a computer, what is a cell phone. That is so true. I wonder how long until we will be saying that about people and robots.
Randy from Garage Floor Covering | Thu, Oct 08 2009
These new netbooks have really taken off recently. Of course they don’t have the processing power of full laptop, but for just browsing and email they work just fine. I recently got a hold of Acer model and like it very much. They are so light weight and portable that you don’t even notice it’s a mini laptop. Hopefully prices will drop this holiday season since I want to pickup another one with a more powerful processor.
Tim from Outdoor Storage Cabinet | Sat, Oct 17 2009
I think netbooks will gradually become the new must have toy for the techies. It will probably become a common item that every one will have just like a cell phone is now. Once you get more features implemented in them consumers will start buying more of these units.
Rhonda from Garage Floor Coatings | Tue, Oct 20 2009
I think these gadgets will take over the ultra-portable laptops. I’m planning on purchasing one of these units and will see how I like it. I’ve been noticing that prices on these have been coming down in recent months.
Kathy from Samsonite Luggage Repair | Wed, Oct 21 2009
I was able to get a hold of one of these Palm units and liked it very much. It’s so much more than just a phone. You have pretty much a portable computer at your disposal. I liked it very much and waiting on a newer model to upgrade.
monika from security camera | Fri, Oct 23 2009
I agree with you that small screens are always portable.
Robert | Sat, Oct 24 2009
I’ve been looking at quite a few netbooks and really like their size. For my daily email and internet browsing it is the perfect gadget.
Rhonde | Tue, Oct 27 2009
The product is very nice but Keyboard size is always little bit problematic in these sizes.
More than that we need to know about the processing speed before buying them. Most of these gives irritation when we need to load a little bit bigger sized files.
BTW, as you said it’s alright when we need to go for travel or something else and want to be withing Internet.
louis vuitton | Sat, Oct 31 2009
I was able to get a hold of one of these Palm units and liked it very much. It’s so much more than just a phone. You have pretty much a portable computer at your disposal. I liked it very much and waiting on a newer model to upgrade.
Steven | Mon, Nov 02 2009
I recently picked up one of these so called netbooks and really like it. I can just take with me when I go to my local coffee shop and do emailing and internet browsing with ease. Really like the small form factor.
monika | Wed, Nov 04 2009
Technology is a product of engineering and science, the study of the natural world.in this technology era we are getting something new day by day. They are portable which is one of their best features.
Rocky | Thu, Nov 12 2009
New mobile technology is really very advanced because now a days you can get all the high technology on your mobile. Which means you can use internet on your mobile almost anywhere.
monika | Tue, Nov 17 2009
Science is really a help to mankind. How much technology changes, from home phones with long wires to wireless phones cell phones. Now this new technology it’s amazing how science makes our life easier.
Amy | Sun, Nov 22 2009
I really don’t know how we’d manage without all the gadgets and gizmos that we have nowadays. The fact that the line is blurring means to me that technology is becoming more synchronized and therefore easier to use. I’m looking forward to that magic day when all I need is one device. I think we’re getting closer though.
Alex | Wed, Nov 25 2009
I agree that all this technology is merging together. I would like to see the netbooks with full phone capability. The blackberrys have such a small screen and keypad.
THE ROCK | Thu, Nov 26 2009
Well this is such a nice thing to know about that mobile phone. Now a days phone companies are providing the all facilities on their mobile phones so that they are getting cheaper day by day.
Gerry | Sat, Nov 28 2009
Wow! That is a great gadget. Mobility and portability in one. But is still a bit pricey for me. I do wonder if it can be upgraded like computers.
venus | Mon, Nov 30 2009
Technology has made my life far more organized, and has accelerated the pace and volume of certain work that helps me both professionally and personally. But I also spend far too much time with technology.
drac | Mon, Nov 30 2009
My cousin bought one the other day and it is really a sweet gadget! Would buy one for myself soon ^_^