Gphone and OLPC

[eris235]

There's 2 different bits of geek-directed hype going around the newswire recently.

First off, a first look at the non-existent "GPhone":

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/11/12/a-first-look-at-the-google-phone/index.html?ref=technology

The interface looks shockingly like that of my shiny new iPhone. I can only hope that Apple starts offering Third Party App support soon. I mean, I get the basic data functionality that I want from it, though I miss the data push of my Blackberry. I also kinda miss having a dedicated email address specifically for my phone, such as I had with my Blackberry. It's not even that an essential app (other than chat) is really /missing/ from the phone, but I like the /option/ of adding more applications. So far, I'm not having tremendous love for the Webapps. They're functional, but I don't dig that they have to get into Safari first. I find it amusing that the icons shown in the Android demo are the same icons on my iPhone.

Oh yeah, late memo: I got an iPhone!!!

Secondly, the OLPC. What, you ask, is OLPC? Why, it's One Laptop Per Child! MIT has been developing these for awhile and they were supposed to come in at a $100 price break. It's a fascinating concept, actually. My geeky little heart has wanted one for quite some time, and I was thinking of all kinds of black market ways to acquire one. Now that they're having an offer to just /buy/ them, I'm not sure how I feel. They also came in at $200 each, instead of the original intended $100/each. Here's a link:

http://www.laptopgiving.org/en/index.php

Comments

[mscongeniality.livejournal.com]

When I bought my phone in August of '06, I intended for it to last me about 2-2 1/2 years. If new LGs using this Android OS are going to be appearing around then? Consider me sold! I love my current LG and the functionality this OS looks like it adds would probably make me love it even more.

[omphaloskepsis.livejournal.com]

I've been debating back and forth on OLPC too. I was one click away from buying it yesterday, but I think I've decided against it, but it was a really close call. What finally made my decision was realizing that the keyboard was really optimized for a childs hand and that might make typing more challenging than I would want it to be. I also fear that even if I just treated it as a web browsing machine, I might become frustrated with the speed limitations. But at the same time I adore the concept and love the spirit of the project. I really would love a tiny little portable laptop, and at $100 I'd have done it in a heartbeat, but it's a little harder for me with the current pricepoint. I'm still having second thoughts, hoping I didn't make the wrong decision

[krisw.livejournal.com]

there's to be a dev kit for the iphone in, uh, january I think. you can get 3rd party apps by jailbreaking your phone if you haven't upgraded to 1.1.2 or whatever it is (yes I'm so clueful)--my husband did it with his but I have not done with mine. Nor have I updated to 1.1.2 on mine. unless something so awesome I will die without it is on the jailbreak I probably won't.

[lease.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I don't want to jailbreak my phone.

[krisw.livejournal.com]

me neither, so I am waiting until the official officialness comes out =)

[blonnie.livejournal.com]

WOW! Thanks for that laptop info... my husband told me about it but it was never available when we looked!

[lease.livejournal.com]

Pay attention! The offer is only good for 2 weeks!! :)

[blonnie.livejournal.com]

omg, miss spoiled might get yet another christmas present. we are really going overboard this year!

[jlabeatnik.livejournal.com]

Congrats on the new addition. I have a iPod Touch... cousins! Anyhow... yeah, 3rd party apps coming soonish.

Meebo works well on it.

[sterlingspider.livejournal.com]

I was awfully intrigued by the OLPC myself, I love the "give one get one" idea to death, but I really just can't spare $400 right now on something I don't strictly need. :(

Hey, Dumb off topic question...

[turkchief.livejournal.com]

Just what WAS the good work news you and Erik were celebrating in lieu of beer bottleing last week?...TC

[krisw.livejournal.com]

hey, btw, if you didn't know you can get unlimited mobile to mobile sms for 5 dollars per line on the iphone. If you both have one, it's probably worth looking into--Chris and I mostly text each other, so it's great, particularly with the nice sms interface.

[squad.livejournal.com]

I played with the OLPC laptop... and ... don't buy it.. it's made for a child... who has never used a computer... or is expected to ever use one.

I love the concept, but once you get past the hype.. it was just a toy.

Still trying to decide if I want an iphone, my contract is up with ATT and I might shop elsewhere... though I was considering the Tilt. I do need a PDA ASAP