The real enemy: netbook manufacturers
 

When they realize that all they need to do is to slap in a $20 gsm chip into their netbooks, Nokia's stronghold of the internet tablets and mobile computers (aka N900) may be dealt a huge blow.

Re: The real enemy: netbook manufacturers
 

You do know they already make a netbook with GSM networking, right?

http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/news/...o-cost-299.ars

It's actually selling quite well, it seems.

Anyway, netbooks actually erode laptop sales, not tablet/smartphone sales. Because you just can't put a netbook up to your head, or slip it into your pocket. Even if you have REALLY BIG pockets.

Re: The real enemy: netbook manufacturers
 

The real enemy are old Stalin-era russian cyborgs that combine GSM chip, GSM network base station and basic farming machinery all in one package.

Their price is only 30% of N900's price, and they will end Nokia's handset business, drive Nokia Siemens Networks to bankruptcy and stop Nokia Money + Nokia Lifetools from taking over the 3rd world rural market.

Nokia just has to attach GSM base station and tractor to N900. That stylus takes lots of space in N900. Lose it and they can surely fit at least that tractor in there. Finally, price the device around 200$ in USA with huge profit margins.

Re: The real enemy: netbook manufacturers
 

Sooner or later someone will come up with THE DEVICE - that can replace PCs, laptops, netbooks, smartphones etc. There are currently 2 obstacles: inadequate power source, lack of shape shifting technology. Yes, there will be posters who would paste in the Nokia Morph here. Yawn...

Re: The real enemy: netbook manufacturers
 

That will never happen. Nokia doesn't speak American.

Re: The real enemy: netbook manufacturers
 

ARM CPU used in MP4 is being improved and wifi will be added.
3G/3.5G chip can also be added.

Now price of HD MP4 is about $100. Another $50-80 cost can let them become similar internet device as N900.

It's good to consumer but some big companies now sell expensive device do not like this kind thing happens.

Re: The real enemy: netbook manufacturers
 

I think the interesting question here is: when internet tablets/smartphones have the same basic usability as a netbook, which will people choose?

It's not really that clear cut in my opinion, I for one might be tempted by the incredible mobility of the smartphone, but my friend will never buy one because he finds the screen too small to use for editing documents.

So Nokia are looking to be in both of these high-mobility markets (the do define there business as mobile after all), their sales over the next few years will say a lot about where the overall trend will go I think

Re: The real enemy: netbook manufacturers
 

I doubt I'll ever be able to do everything I need to do, business-wise, on the N8xx or N9xx form factors. At least, not as long as Microsoft Excel rules...

Re: The real enemy: netbook manufacturers
 

Was there a point to that post? I am trying to determine why i even took the time to read all of these.

Re: The real enemy: netbook manufacturers
 

Yeah... I'm starting to understand why he gets such a strong negative reaction to all of his threads.

Re: The real enemy: netbook manufacturers
 

What a relief! There is a huge world outside of the USA with sensible networks.

Re: The real enemy: netbook manufacturers
 

And how do I put that in my pocket?

Re: The real enemy: netbook manufacturers
 

In Soviet Russia netbook pockets you!

Re: The real enemy: netbook manufacturers
 

Bzzt. Wrong.

The obstacles are:

1) Battery lifetime/power source, as you said.
2) pocketable/phone devices with enough CPU power and CPU compatibility with desktop apps
3) pocketable/phone devices with KVM capability

If your phone had enough CPU power to run the same apps as your desktop, and still keep enough battery life (through battery capacity and/or CPU efficiency), and you could plug it into your KVM switch, and/or into a docking shells/companion-devices that had the shape options of (slate-tablet, netbook, laptop, full-desktop), then you don't need "shape shifting" technology. You pick the shells/companion-devices that suit your needs, and go from there. 1 CPU/storage device for all use cases.

And, there are actually 2 other limits that will keep us from fully replacing desktops and laptops with this "one device":

4) storage density -- you'll always be able to put more and faster storage into larger devices. The best you can count on here is: having storage density improve enough that you don't _care_ about being able to store more at home.

To some extent, 2-4 can be off-set, somewhat, by moving applications and storage into the cloud. Which brings us to the 5th hurdle:

5) network ubiquity -- you can't displace the other factors with cloud storage, cloud computing, remote access to your home storage, etc., without an ever-present, affordable, broadband network. Don't count on that happening any time soon.

Re: The real enemy: netbook manufacturers
 

The big problem for devices like these will be when we evolve to have functional telepathy. Then all communications devices will be rendered obsolete. Imagine a Beowolf cluster of Einstein clones :)

Re: The real enemy: netbook manufacturers
 

I expect we'll have direct neural interfaces (DNI) (and thus a telepathic-like ability to communicate with our gadgets, wired and/or wireless) before we have real telepathy. That will help these devices, more than hurt them. No more keyboards at all -- just dictate via thought. Then the only things you'll worry/care about in device formfactor are:

screen size/resolution (assuming it doesn't have the ability to display via DNI as well)
battery life
CPU power/application compatibilty
WAN (type, affect on battery, etc.)

oh, and, probably security ... if not security of the device then security of the DNI.

Imagine a set of (sun)glasses, where the frame, arms, and strap behind the arms function as a non-invasive DNI (ie. a sensor grid, not a plug), and the glasses function as an augmented reality/HUD display, and there are ear-buds or earphones that connect to the arms. There would also be microphones in the frames, both for conversations and recordings, as well as noise cancellation and augmented reality/enhanced-hearing. There may also be 360 motion/optical sensors to help with proximity sensors around your body. Then you connect it (via wire or wireless USB or bluetooth) to a WWAN/PDA/phone gadget that you keep in your pocket. You'd control it through a combination of head tilt/orientation, voice, and brain activity. And, with the MIT finger-tip sensor UI, you could possibly add that to the control mechanisms.

Re: The real enemy: netbook manufacturers
 

great thinking ! we will assemble an army to battle them at once !