It's so utterly pointless….I want it! :D
Actually, I can really see me using one of these.
Had a play with one of these the other day, cool bit of kit. O2 are also launching an online calendar which is available to everyone, not just O2 customers. This online Calendar syncs with the Joggler in both directions. Only thing that I feel is missing is the ability to stream say MP3,s directly to it wirelessly from you PC. That way you can get rid of the CD player in the kitchen!!!
From what I was told it is coming out in April (might have been June) I believe the training guys said and has a decent price point. (Which I don't think I'm allowed to say how much)
In relation to the article itself, it is made by a company called Open Peak :
http://www.openpeak.com/
Thanks for that Ferral, note the price is listed at the end of the third page of the story.
Yeah thats the price we got the other day (Wednesday), at the start of the training seminar it was 199.99 and after lunch it had been put down to the mentioned 149.99.
From what we were told the other day, you can get it on an upgrade instead of a handset for contract customers. It works in the same was as usual upgrades. Get a quote and that is the price you pay going from x amount upto free.
Pay and Go customers can use their rewards discount to put towards one also upto a maximum of £100.
Bear in mind that this is what we got the other day, it could all change by the time the device is released.
When I was tinkering with it I noticed the build quality and screen are exceptionately good. We didn't get a chance to try the internet radio on it or messaging etc. However the video that we seen about it was showing the online calendar being accessed on the device and updating it was so easy.
Its like a PDA for the kitchen, everything is there. You don't need paper diaries as everything can be put on the calendar. You can transfer music from a pen drive to it, I wouldn't be surprised if there was a way to get it to play movies or internet TV, but it is still early days.
One thing they did mention is that it doesn't have a browser on there at present, once again this may change come release date.
P.S : Its actually known officially as the O2 Joggler !
From the conversation I had with O2 I think a browser is unlikely, for two reasons:
1. They want this device to be ultra child friendly and they don't want them viewing the wrong kind of content.
2. I think it is pretty heavily ‘locked down’ for now at least. Again this is to be able to control the content.
So it definitely isn't a mini PC in terms of functionality, although it does run on an Atom CPU.
If this takes off like it should, I can see a big market for these, & I will certainly be after one.
For once a functionl & original gadget with a broad mass market appeal.
Links to this article from the main Hexus page and the Chnnel page are broken apparently, either that or the site is having a bad day :)
edit look like it fixed itself. Never mind
but I assume it needs plugging in. That means it needs to be located near a plug socket and a cable needs to be run to it.
Yeah, it has to be plugged into the mains
If this is meant to “designed to facilitate communication within the domestic environment in the way fridge doors currently do”, then where is the to-do list or a notes section to replace bits of paper stuck to the home fridge or notice board?
Thats where you use the O2 online calendar :
http://o2family.o2.co.uk/familycalendarloggedout.htmlIt all ties in together nicely. Any changes you make to the calendar either online or via the Joggler makes changes either side. It works a treat.
Calendar is launching soon.
When vista launched wasn't there talk of these gadgets been cheap and afforable ‘front ends’ to your PC?
TheAnimus
When vista launched wasn't there talk of these gadgets been cheap and afforable ‘front ends’ to your PC?
I'd say its pretty well priced for what it does, could be a lot more expensive being as far as I know the only device of its type on the market.
Stu C
If this is meant to “designed to facilitate communication within the domestic environment in the way fridge doors currently do”, then where is the to-do list or a notes section to replace bits of paper stuck to the home fridge or notice board?
Yep good point the notes section especially would be useful for a shopping list.
If printing was offered as well I could actually see it appealing to my parents.
You don't have to go through the O2 website. You can fully access and make changes / add to the calendar via the Joggler itself. Its really easy to do also, only seen a promo video so far of updating calendar on the device itself but it is seamless. Anything that is set on the online calendar syncs with the Joggler and it gives notifications. You really don't need to be printing anything out.
Literally everything is on it making it easy to use. Its is literally like a PDA for the kitchen or wherever you want to put it.
What I was also told that they are still adding extra apps and functionality to it on feedback from O2 staff etc When it comes out it may well have a wireless printing type function and a full browser on it.
digit
I'd say its pretty well priced for what it does, could be a lot more expensive being as far as I know the only device of its type on the market.
I guess but when you compare the cost to low end touch mobile phones, its not *that* good value for the limited functionality it offers.
Ie, if say it could be a MCE Extender, i'd buy two.