Re: New name for internet tablet
 

I was thinking of borrowing some well known communicating device name from SciFi because that might be instantly recognizable and get the hype factor up among geeks. Then I realized Nokia already did this with the communicator :p

If Babylon 5 would have been the success it deserved, comlink would be a great name... or how about calling the next tablets Nokia Tricorders? :D

edit: on a second thought, these communicators were actually pretty basic in their functions... are there any super advanced tablets in scifi anyway?

Re: New name for internet tablet
 

Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle's 1974 novel "the Mote In God's Eye" featured pocket tablet computers, linked to planetary networks, but they were so ubiquitous and "normal" that they didn't even have a special name anymore.

Come to think of it, those tablets featured true handwriting recognition, an impressive level of operating system AI and high durability, so even if they did have a name, it probably would have been "Newton". Or possibly "Hawking"...

Re: New name for internet tablet
 

I liked Netpad, but maybe it sounds a bit diminutive, like a netbook with stunted growth.

I like tricorder, except it's kind of a complicated (and inaccurate) term, and is only significant to Trekkies, and not inherently very descriptive.

However, it is possible to appeal to Trekkies and not be obscure and nerdy with Nettreker.

Re: New name for internet tablet
 

Well, I started to think about ways I could use a Maemo 5 device: web, IM, VoIP, PIM, etc. It became clear to me that this thing is about "keeping in touch" with your life, so I offer this:

Re: New name for internet tablet
 

Nokia urban product line:

First product (previously known as N900): U90 media tablet

Re: New name for internet tablet
 

Likewise in Douglas Adams' The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (handheld computer known by the same name) and Neal Stephenson's The Diamond Age (handheld computer known as A Young Lady's Illustrated Primer, or Primer for short.). Of course, there are more... ;)

Tim

Re: New name for internet tablet
 

B.R.A.I.N (acronym to be filled in by consensus)

(& variants) nBRAIN, PortaBrain etc.


I have referred to my PDAs (Visor Edge-T3-N800) as my Brain since I got the first one.

ie To my Wife: "If it's not in my BRAIN, I won't remember it" ;)

Re: New name for internet tablet
 

Do you know of any Newton-like devices in scifi that predate "Mote"? Arthur Clarke e.g. went a totally different route with his minisec in "Imperial Earth" (calculator-style keyboard input, with keys changing according to the application, supplemented with minimal voice control).

Re: New name for internet tablet
 

I think the next Maemo device should have "DON'T PANIC" inscribed in large, friendly letters on the cover.

Re: New name for internet tablet
 

No, thank you, I wouldn't like my device being associated to the wibrain