Indian technology firm Encore Software unveils Mobilis Wireless, a laptop that features a 7.4-inch LCD screen and six-hour battery life. It will cost about 15,000 rupees, or about $277.
...something on India other than ******** about offshoring, H1-B and overcrowding... maybe CNET has a semblance of 'old-fashioned' journalism left in it after all (as opposed to 'tabloid sensationalism' it mostly indulges in)
Where do you live? India? There's plenty of out of work tech people in the US who don't share your opinion. I have a lot of friends who have been laided off because someone in India will do their job for 80% less pay. And nothing irritates me more than calling tech support and having my call transferred overseas to a person who I can barely understand. Sorry I don't share your views on outsourcing but the truth is it hurts the US.
So what happens when all the tech jobs are outsourced and no US techie is employed? Guess what, he can't buy all those tech gadgets and software that he once supported or created...
I'm very surprised at these comments about "finally" and "can't wait to buy one". You find a tiny screen of low resolution acceptable? I doubt it, read the details before jumping to conclusions. Most websites won't even display properly on these devices, needing to scroll left and right just to read a page fully. Be careful.
This is not for power usage, like surfing, downloading/watching video, playing your 5000+ songs etc etc. This thing can be used where people are on the go, and PDAs just are not capable of doing all the stuff this thing can do.
And for people in India, its just that they want a basic PC type device for their shops/home usage. They do not have money to buy a latest iMac. But they can surely buy this.
A smaller, low-res display is exactly what I need. Try fitting a full-size laptop into a police cruiser or a street department dump truck and you will see the advantages.
I like the fact that the unit is self contained. No modems or wires hanging out. I like the fact that it is Linux-based. A year between reboots? No problem. I like the cost. So we break one once in a while. At $250 a pop, I can keep half a dozen hot spares ready to go.
This is as close to a perfect appliance for my mobile applications as I have seen yet.
At the Indian Institute of Technology we have a centre called the Developmental Informatics Laboratory for testing and developing devices and applications for emerging markets.
We tested the device with various websites and found the resolution good for reading in both daylight and dimly lit conditions.
Few limitations come from the ported FireFox browser and not the device itself. We have recommended adding additional features in the browser to make the device more universal
That's very funny btw but i'd also like to point out you can buy a celeron 2.66ghz 40 gig drive, and a DVD/CD-RW combo drive, bla bla bla (no monitor- but seriously dont you have an old one laying around?) for around $280 from GQ who actually has SOME support and a 2 year warrenty. Even has an open AGP 8x slot to throw a good-great graphics card in there. (link <a class="jive-link-external" href="http://shop1.outpost.com/product/4368965?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG" target="_newWindow">http://shop1.outpost.com/product/4368965?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG</a>)
I bought 2 of these, threw in 512mb more ram in each, and use them as budget servers. I have an older model that's been running for over 2 years now, never shut down (restarts every once and awhile, of course) and it still works like a charm. If you're on a budget, this (although double the price of the indian @#%*, actually has some potential.
I don't think it has anything to do with the competency of the Indians. I think it has everything to do with the lower standards, quality, and cost of living in India.
My thought is that products such as this is aimed for professionals who need to capture information quickly, like doctors or code inspectors. But for everyday users such as you and me? I wouldn't want to surf net on that thing for sure...
Sell your backpack stock. This is the future for school books. Dump the battery and put the money in a better screen, and price it in million quantities.
The $100(or $99) computer is not a new idea. It was attempted by Timex back in 1984. The Timex Sinclair 1000 was built with a flimsy miniature rubber keyboard and had to be hooked up to an external monitor, much as the one described here, as a budget machine everyone could buy. By the time it came out most other cheap "home" computers of the day matched them (Commodore & Atari) by having their machines fall into the same price range which caused a huge loss in profits. It could be another indication of a second computer market crash when prices drop this low. Timex helped cause first computer crash in the '80s, will India be the next culprit?
However, not a time for Indians to sit back and gloat. How long before Chinese learn to clone the $100 PC at $20 or $30? - Mohan <a class="jive-link-external" href="http://www.garamchai.com/mohan" target="_newWindow">http://www.garamchai.com/mohan</a>
I like the concept and agree that it targets certain markets really well. But when will this product be available? What stage of development is it in right now?
If the makers are reading this now would be a good time to respond.
I like the concept and agree that it targets certain markets really well. But when will this product be available? What stage of development is it in right now?
If the makers are reading this now would be a good time to respond.
As I understand, Encore has tied up with various OEMs and big customers and is supplying the Mobilus to them. May take time for it to come out in the local store.
I might buy one if it were $20; any more than that, and Id be embarrassed to be seen with it. Perhaps their target audience is desperate enough to not care?
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So what happens when all the tech jobs are outsourced and no US techie is employed? Guess what, he can't buy all those tech gadgets and software that he once supported or created...
This thing would be perfect for a whole host of mobile applications for my municipality.
And for people in India, its just that they want a basic PC type device for their shops/home usage. They do not have money to buy a latest iMac. But they can surely buy this.
A smaller, low-res display is exactly what I need. Try fitting a full-size laptop into a police cruiser or a street department dump truck and you will see the advantages.
I like the fact that the unit is self contained. No modems or wires hanging out. I like the fact that it is Linux-based. A year between reboots? No problem. I like the cost. So we break one once in a while. At $250 a pop, I can keep half a dozen hot spares ready to go.
This is as close to a perfect appliance for my mobile applications as I have seen yet.
We tested the device with various websites and found the resolution good for reading in both daylight and dimly lit conditions.
Few limitations come from the ported FireFox browser and not the device itself. We have recommended adding additional features in the browser to make the device more universal
<a class="jive-link-external" href="http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2005/04/15/040421.html" target="_newWindow">http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2005/04/15/040421.html</a>
We really like to go see the performance of this pcs. In pics all
products look great!
Let me know when it is open in market!
Thanks.....Encore!
USA.. heheh
I bought 2 of these, threw in 512mb more ram in each, and use them as budget servers. I have an older model that's been running for over 2 years now, never shut down (restarts every once and awhile, of course) and it still works like a charm. If you're on a budget, this (although double the price of the indian @#%*, actually has some potential.
my 2 cents,
B
- Mohan
<a class="jive-link-external" href="http://www.garamchai.com/mohan" target="_newWindow">http://www.garamchai.com/mohan</a>
If the makers are reading this now would be a good time to respond.
If the makers are reading this now would be a good time to respond.
embarrassed to be seen with it. Perhaps their target audience is
desperate enough to not care?