Enterprise Mobility: Redfly--The New Foleo

[Chuong Nguyen]

Celio's Redfly is continuing when Palm cancelled the Foleo as an extension of current devices. The main difference between the Foleo and the Redfly is that the Foleo would have had its own operating system running its own applications, whereas the Redfly is more of an extension, providing for a larger keyboard and display. This means that the Redfly is pretty much inoperable without a smartphone or handheld as its companion whereas the Foleo would still work.

According to jkOnTheRun (http://jkontherun.blogs.com/jkontherun/2008/01/thoughts-of-the.html), the price is set rather high at $499, but is squarely aimed at the enterprise market. The Redfly can be tethered to a smartphone/handheld via USB or Bluetooth, and was snappy. It is comparable in size to the Asus Eee PC and offers a near full-sized keyboard. The device runs for an extended period of time and can charge your handheld while working--I assume this works if connected through USB.

In the past, there had been lingering doubts of the Foleo's success given its high price point and limited functionality, especially compared to the Asus Eee PC. It seems that the Redfly does less than the Foleo in that it doesn't have an operating system and cannot run on its own without a handheld. Given these limitations, I think I would prefer an Asus Eee PC, but then again I am not sure that the Eee PC would synchronize or connect with a Windows Mobile device. Then again, there's always the option of connecting a Bluetooth keyboard and a pico projector.

[adamz]

Maybe if it had a dock for the Pocket PC. Who wants to be using this with a wire? And setting up a Bluetooth connection is a pain if it's anything more than placing the two devices within range.

[Kobaljov]

Serious candidate for the "Worst Product in 2008" title..

[Jaime Rivera]

I see some potential in it. After a couple of weeks working with my iGO bluetooth keyboard and my device, it does get to be a bit cramy to work on your lap while ensuring the device doesn't fall off.

If I had an option where I could work my device on the go for meetings, in class or for some mobile account I can't access from my corporate network that I do sync on my device without even removing it from the belt clip has some advantages. I asume you could work the device on standby through the Microsoft bluetooth stack just as you do with a handsfree headset making this possible.

Let's hope it's ready soon for review.

[Pony99CA]

I'm getting a sense of deja vu (http://discuss.pocketnow.com/showthread.php?t=22662) here.... :) Do we really need two news articles and threads about this?

Steve

[Rainman]

Interesting concept, but I think as Steve said in another thread, the fact that you are still using Pocket Internet Explorer or some other mobile browser, you will have a limited Internet Browsing experience. At $499, it's definitely not worth it. I managed to pick up a laptop for $399 just for browsing and carrying around.

If I were to buy this device, I don't think I would pay more than $150. Especially for a device that is nothing more than a "dummy" workstation for you Windows Mobile Device.

[Chuong Nguyen]

I'm getting a sense of deja vu (http://discuss.pocketnow.com/showthread.php?t=22662) here.... :) Do we really need two news articles and threads about this?

Steve

Yes, should have linked back to the original. However, the original post was more of announcement. This shows jkOnTheRun's and Gizmodo's initial impression of the device.

[Pony99CA]

If I were to buy this device, I don't think I would pay more than $150. Especially for a device that is nothing more than a "dummy" workstation for you Windows Mobile Device.
If you think of it as a docking station for a PDA, I think it's useful. But, again, I don't think I'd pay more than $200 (which is what some high-end docking stations cost, but they don't have a big display).

By the way, whatever happened to the Synosphere Blue Dock (http://pocketnow.com/index.php?a=portal_detail&t=news&id=2061)?

Steve

[Rainman]

If you think of it as a docking station for a PDA, I think it's useful. But, again, I don't think I'd pay more than $200 (which is what some high-end docking stations cost, but they don't have a big display).

By the way, whatever happened to the Synosphere Blue Dock (http://pocketnow.com/index.php?a=portal_detail&t=news&id=2061)?

Steve

True, it really is a docking station for a PDA. I did just think of one application I would use it for. It could make for a nice video player while traveling. Celio claims 8 hours of use. If that really can happen, you could easily fly across country and make it through a few movies easily. Hmmmmmmmmm.... again, only if the price was lower.