Help MobilityGuru Redesign Psion's Iconic, Ultrasmall 5mx

[borisC]

You asked....

To my opinion, Psion series 5 was perfect, and there is not very much I'd like to be changed. The thing I liked most was the the extreme low power consumption: Batteries lasted for days, not for a few hours.
What I would like to see is a Psion 5 lookalike (same form factor) with a few additional features (USB, Bluetooth, slightly better screen resolution) and no power eating gimmics at all (VGA, harddisk etc). It should run on standard (!) batteries with the possibility of charging them in place. Standard batteries have the huge advantage that you can walk up to any grocery shop and buy a replacement if you happen to run out of power out in the fields.
And yes, I want an old fashioned serial port as well (Psions - starting from the organiser II - have always been perfectly suited for data capture).

Some people will hate me for that, but I'd prefer the Symbian OS. It is small and stable, and OPL is a simple but effective programming language. Forget Windows Mobile and all of the resource hungry Micro$oft crap!

In short: What I'd like to see is that the concept that made the Psion 5 so successfull should survive: An easily programmable/extendable personal assistant, versatile and user friendly, having a 'real' keyboard!
OK, I understand that some people rather want an high end PC squeezed into a small form factor, but - be honest - this would be interesting for a few freaks only, and would probably be a commercial desaster.

With having this said, feel free to bash me

 

[vff11212]

I am sympathetic to borisC's suggestion. I don't personally want to see another good WindowsMobile machine or good pocket size Windows XP machine...

Psion was so amazing because it managed to have the combination of absolutely distinguished hardware and software. We might be able to make an excellent WindowsMobile machine, but that won't be comparable with the legendary machines of Psion 5mx.

I would like to see Psion 5mx with a slightly better keyboard, slightly better screen (like Revo's), slightly better office software (more compatible with MS Office), USB support, and perhaps WiFi. I also agree with borisC regarding batteries. It's important to be able to use standard batteries. If Psion had used non-standard batteries I don't think so many people would have used 5mx, 3a, etc. for such a long time.

 

[mobilesalesman]

I used to have a Psion and to me the key was the hardware design was so ergonomic in feel with a real touch type keyboard.

I disagree about their OS as an end user. I am no programmer or computer tech person. The reality is that everyone uses Microsoft and thus a mobile device must be able to read, edit, create all of the files etc. directly with other people with the mobile device and not need to go to a desktop for any conversions etc. I think that was their issue because they could never expect to keep up with continual changes in MS Word, etc. For me those were the reasons for switching to Jornada 728 as it had all of the actual MS applications on the device and it still ran for 14 hours.

The Jornada for me still is my primary mobile computer as the basic built in applications and the handful of specialty applications like pocket CAD, PDF viewer, etc. enable me to accomplish most of my computer needs. I desperately want to upgrade yet nothing is available.

I think new technologies like the origami devices and the Dulcor device prove that XP now can be in a small platform. Personally, I like the Dualcor concept and wished it used the Psion form factor. The Dualcor device has both Windows Mobile and XP. This enables long battery life when using Windows Mobile for basic word, excel, outlook etc. yet gives a person the ability to run an applicationly written for standard dekstop OS (XP).

It is not realistic to expect most software companies to write their product in multiple OS types. Thus most mobile users probably have at least a few programs in their industry only written in XP and to be able to have the ability to run that in a modern psion type device would be a god send.

I think it is clear from these postings and the reactions I still get daily about my 5 year old Jornada that most business people would buy a modern Psion right now! Computer companies have lost touch with functionality!

 

[mobilesalesman]

I am sympathetic to borisC's suggestion. I don't personally want to see another good WindowsMobile machine or good pocket size Windows XP machine...

Psion was so amazing because it managed to have the combination of absolutely distinguished hardware and software. We might be able to make an excellent WindowsMobile machine, but that won't be comparable with the legendary machines of Psion 5mx.

I would like to see Psion 5mx with a slightly better keyboard, slightly better screen (like Revo's), slightly better office software (more compatible with MS Office), USB support, and perhaps WiFi. I also agree with borisC regarding batteries. It's important to be able to use standard batteries. If Psion had used non-standard batteries I don't think so many people would have used 5mx, 3a, etc. for such a long time.

There never has been a pocket size touch type keyboard windows mobile nor XP ever created. The closest was the Jornada 728 and those devices ended when MS abandoned the OS. If there was a modern Psion type device running windows mobile I would buy one right now but there never has been such a device. Yes it would be cool to have that OS and XP like what Dualcor created but has yet to have a viable product in US; but that might be ideal. I'd settle for a touch type windows mobile that copied the Psion hardware design.

You are right the issue was the software. The other items are trivial other than needing a color screen. Batteries seem trivial, as long as the battery provided long life and was a removable battery I really do not care if they are standard or not. I purchased a spare for my Jornada and each battery will give me 14 hours of use; I doubt a AAA would do that? The key is you need to have software to collaborate with other people and everyone uses MS. Thus Psion could never keep up with changes etc. I do agree with usb and wireless.

 

[vff11212]

Mobilesalesman,

I agree with you that the compatibility with MS is always an issue. I am not like a devoted believer of Psion, so in principle I don't mind wether the OS is made by Psion or Microsoft or someone else. But I like the stability and interface of EPOC and I think it would be very nice if the madchine comes with EPOC OS with a build-in software like DocumentToGO or TextMaker. (As you know, they are more compatible with MS products than PocketOffice is.)

I agree that Jornada 7xxs are great machines even though they are getting old. MobilePro 900 and Sigmarion are in a way modern versions of Jornada, but I found the former too big and the latter look a bit too cheap.

 

[mobilesalesman]

I have no loyalties to an OS rather I just want a small pocket size computer with a touch type keyboard like the Psion and I want to collaborate with people in business etc. without any issues.

I am no tech person but now with the large capacity flash cards that are up in the 6-10 gig range capacity; Can a device like the Psion be modernized as far as hardware and the user has the option of inserting a CF card that had the OS on it, so that one could switch from different OS's? Then the device could be universal and the user could choose the OS and applications to run by swapping one of the flash cards?

It seems like that flash technology has advanced where a new Psion even it were to run an OS like XP tablet could do so via flash memory and not a moving hard drive?

 

[Hyperion2010]

As long as there is a way for me to install a linux distro for its architecture, I'm happy

 

[Shotgun674]

Seems to me, we should take this opportunity to dream a little...

Design this thing to be the ONLY device you need. Then you can justify the size, weight, price etc. Replace the notebook, PDA, cell phone, MP3 player, GPS, DVD player... yet maintain all of the functions!

While not all-inclusive, here are some features to dream-up:

- I'm glad to see some people expect solid-state storage. With 2GB SD cards below $50, why haven't we seen 60GB solid state drives!?

- Ubiquitous WiFi, Bluetooth and cellular/wireless LAN should all be included. Auto/manual disable feature to preserve battery life.

- Bluetooth headphones & mic included, for both communication and entertainment.

- VoIP & cellular calling capable - Speakerphone or bluetooth headset allows the device to be placed in front of you, on-line, while talking for optimal productivity.

- Optional glasses-mount projection system, just like in the movies!

- Voice recorder should have voice commands for naming/storing each file, and for setting a reminder calendar event. "Loaf of bread, stick of butter, upload presentation for Seattle merger... 7am, October 5"

- USB 2.0 and SD slot could be the ONLY ports, everything else can be connected to these two. By the time this thing comes to market, SVGA resolution will be capable through USB 2.0, or even WiFi!

- Design your docking station to boost memory, processing power and graphics. We can tolerate slow, lousy graphics on the road, but at home, we want all the same info with the speed and brilliance you expect with a high-end laptop. Make your docking station folding/portable for hotel use!

- Replace the gray cover and fancy logo with solar cells protected by Lexan. Recharge while in use! A second set of cells could be used on the base... when you're really low on power, open it up face down near a window!

- Universal power acceptance - Use almost any charger to give this thing power... no need to bring an extra charger!

- Power connector on the battery allows you to charge your spare while using the unit.

- Optional DVD/BlueRay drive the size of a jewel case would give access to GBs of data and movies on the go.

- Agreed, don't mess with the layout of the existing keyboard, but don't sacrifice the size/weight for the neat sliding featur.

- To avoid picking up your stylus every time, turn the touch screen into a touch pad: The cursor sits at the stylus tip, but when a finger is used, assumes a user-specified position outside the fingerprint, so the curser is still visible. This could change orientation in different screen quadrants; for example: 10 o'clock in the upper left quadrant, 4 o'clock in the lower right quadrant. Make double use of a function or ctrl/alt key as a mouse click during touch pad operation.

- Make scrolling effortless... use wheels or touch screen to do it, but this is imperative to make the small screen work!

- Question form factor! What if this thing became a PDA phone with a screen the full size of the device (2.25"x4") and flip-out thumb keyboard. Combine the keyboard, DVD/BlueRay drive, additional storage, VGA port and USB hub, into a portable docking cradle and the pair create a laptop, but offer the user the option of some or all components, depending on task and location.

I realize you want to keep some of the nostalgia of the original device, but if you're truly going to update it, think big and invent a few technologies while you're at it. It's the only way you're going to change the world with one device! )

 

[vff11212]

There is a rumour, which seems fairly reliable to me, that Nokia will introduce a new communicator in few weeks which has a 'large screen' and a 'comfortable keyboard'. One person was describing it as being similar to Psion Revo...so perhaps the dream of some of us might come true soon.

 

[mobilesalesman]

I like your ideas except I STRONGLY disagree on the form factor. The key that the market is missing is forgetting functionality as the article points out. What I must have is a touch type keyboard NOT any type of thumb input!

I like the idea of a all in one device but then the device should not be small but rather more of a larger Nokia communicator. Keeping the keyboard the size of the old Psion and having that double as a phone would be great but scale the size down and you have what is already available yet not functional. What is wrong with the idea of this all in one device being the size of a normal home phone? that incorporated the Psion keyboard? If you make the size any smaller as far as keyboard then I think it defeats the functionality.

If you use the Nokia communicator is a nice idea, it needs to be redesigned around a functional touch type keyboard and thus be longer and a bit wider. Once you sacrafice a touch type keyboard I think the device regardless of other features is no different than what is out there now, gadgets without real functionality. Having it one device would warrant it to be larger like the original Psion size and if it had all those features I would pay $2000 easily.

 

[vff11212]

Actually, I agree with you. It would be great if there was a communicator that just looks like Psion 5mx. Being touch-typable is important for me, too.

The sad fact is that normal average people would choose to buy just a laptop and a small mobile phone for that purpose...

 

[mobilesalesman]

Maybe but maybe not? There never has been such a device available to know what would happen. I think from this one article amount of feedback and the hundreds of similar views I have seen from many other sites, that there is a large desire for that type of device which I think is a very large market segment.

If you look at the sudden surge in Treo, Blackberry, Pocket pc phone devices there is a need for combo devices and what everyone I asked whom owns one of those devices about the hardware is that they all hate thumb keyboards. Thus if a Psion type cell phone was created I think it could overtake a majority of that entire market segment.

 

[CygnusRising]

I think people are missing the biggest point of all: This is NOT meant to be a laptop/desktop REPLACEMENT. It's a small, on-the-go handheld meant for remember a busy life. If you're complaing to make the screen bigger, go home and use your desktop.

Alright, a bulleted list is always clearer.

- OLED would indeed reduce power, but increase expense. Toss up between the two. Doesn't need to be huge

- I love the flipping keyboard. Keep it the way it is. It's innovative, different, and attractive. Keeper

- An addition to the keyboard would be possibly a backlight on the keyboard. Turning it on and off should be easy, either bound to a keystroke, or have a button somewhere on the frame.

- Who needs so much space on a small portable like this? 4GB Flash Drive should be more than enough. Must be NV for when your batteries mess up, so your system isn't wiped when you change batteries.

-Wi-Fi g required. If a 150 dollar Nintendo DS can have it, so should this.

- Stylus=Mouse=Yes

- Mic and headphone ports are a toss up, depending on how easily it could interface with VoIP, phone, or Skype-like communications. Headphones moreso than a mic

- Expandable with a sort of removeable interface, not neccisarily a CF, but in the same genere of storage. SD or somesuch.

-USB Host. I want to be able to plug a Jump/Tumb/Click drive into it and off-load files easily.

- In terms of the CPU, as we've seen in the Palms and whatnot, a fast CPU isn't as required as one would think, and if you get a slower CPU, your battery life will grow remarkably.

-Who needs so much RAM? 128 or 256. 512 tops.

-Rechargeable batteries. Sell extras for a bargain price and GIVE THEM A CASE, or allow the use of AA alkalines for a pinch.

- Dock. Get a dock. It makes it slicker to sync with a desktop. If you allow multiple batteries, allow a slot to charge an extra one.

-Multiple colors. Some people WANT a hot pink one. What about our tech-savvy ladies that have to be in style? Maybe go the route of the Cell Phone and have snap-on/off face plates to change the style. College logos, sports teams... When you get snap-on faceplates, nothing is holy or un-marketable. If not multiple colors, a steel case would be practicle, and make your product last twice as long. I'm definatly going to replace a good product that lasts me three years. I'd think twice about the same product that lasted me 1.

- GOOD dictation software.

-Scroll wheel, or a muli-directional joystick/eraser head soley for the use of panning a screen.

-Free reign of internet browser choices. IE, Firefox, Opera, Maxthon, anything.

Now, here's the kicker. If you can balance price with power, you've got yourself a winner. I know people that would shell out 200-300 even 400 USD for a nice handheld, but if you go over a certain point, they'll just lug around a laptop with them. You've got to make people have a REASON to buy your product, and a good reason is that it will offer Laptop-like capablities at a pittace of the cost, and a fraction of the size.

 

[drjd]

Please keep the following:
Instant-on
Ability to keep lots of apps open (unlike my palm)
Reliability - Psions virtually never crashed
Ability to get to all apps with 1 or 2 keypresses (I used macro5 and cannot get any similar functionality with Palm)
The excellent keyboard
The silkscreen zoom buttons - ideally with more flexibility
The original form factor (or slightly thinner and lighter) - I would carry it in my bag, and anything more portable would lose the benefits of keyboard and screen size which are optimum
Touchscreen with ability to use thumbnail/finger rather than stylus/special pen

Add:
Excellent colour screen with similar resolution and brightness to Palm Treo 650
Bluetooth
Wireless networking
USB ports
Ability to connect by USB to any printer

I don't care what op system as long as it synchronises easily and reliably with my PC and phone, and is fast.

Good luck!
DrJD

 

[Shotgun674]

Valid point on the touch type keyboard, mobilesalesman...

You're right, anything else is already out there. The thumb keyboard on my Treo is GREAT... when compared to my old 3 letter per key cell phone. It doesn't fly for email, document creation, or even serious editing.

If we're going to change the world one Psion at a time, we've got to fill the void between smart/PDA phones and laptops with the type of device that works so well and seemlessly you forget you even use it. (after you're done showing it off to EVERYONE you know!)

I also liked the idea of making it a USB host... but realized if it had a USB 2.0 port, it automaticaly IS a host.

On the topic of storage... I'm so used to needing all kindsa gigs for my music, photos & video that 40-60 GB felt necessary. FLIP-FLOP! I agree that about 4-6GB of NV solid-state memory would suffice... provided your OS didn't hog most of it! Multimedia is key, but could be stored on an external HD or 2GB SD cards. A plastic case that holds 8 of those babies would be your own music/video library!

I'm surprised I forgot GPS... If your new Psion replaced the in-dash navigation in your Lexus you'd save $1000 (PER CAR!) or $400 -$ 600 if it replaced your portable Garmin device. On board speakers would double for the speakerphone, or multimedia in a pinch.

I've come to realize that the larger size is required for full keyboard functionality... The tag-line could be "Go big or stay home!" It just puts more pressure on this device to have iPod-like success so it will spur mfrs to come out with Psion vests and cargo pants to make carrying this mobile wonder more comfortable. I've yet to adopt the man-purse... My Treo still fits in my cell phone pocket of my bag and jacket, so it's larger size doesn't bother me. Much longer and I'd worry it would fall out.

What about a built-in camera for video-conferencing on the fly? It could grab a picture or short video in a pinch. An external USB video camera option (like my Archos) would be a great way to catch your son's football game without lugging the ol' HandyCam, recount that epic mountain bike ride on your "business" trip, or if you just want to feel like James Bond. Do you think the touch screen could drive my BMW too... !?

Thanks for reading this far... sorry if I got carried away!

Shotgun

 

[mobilesalesman]

"Now, here's the kicker. If you can balance price with power, you've got yourself a winner. I know people that would shell out 200-300 even 400 USD for a nice handheld, but if you go over a certain point, they'll just lug around a laptop with them. You've got to make people have a REASON to buy your product, and a good reason is that it will offer Laptop-like capablities at a pittace of the cost, and a fraction of the size."

I disagree about the price completely. Most people already shell out 400-700 for a PDA and hate the thumb experience. Any windows pda/phone or Treo/Blackberry are more than 2-400 bucks, get realistic. I would pay even more than what most laptops cost if I could buy a modern Psion and not need a laptop.

The device can be a laptop replacement for many users and thus command a similar price as it is more mobile. Nobody wants to lug a huge laptop and bag, as you are then carrying around 15-20lbs when all done with a laptop, cords, etc.

A modern Psion would easily command a price of $800 to $2000 as it can be a laptop in your pocket! There never has been a laptop that one could carry and if a modern Psion were built there would be a huge demand. Sure we all want the price to be as cheap as possible yet the price should be realistic to the devices capabilities.

I doubt a pocket laptop like a modern Psion could be built and sold for less than 800 dollars or so and I think that it would easily command a similar price to any laptop. As long as it is fuctional as most have posted, the device is a laptop in your pocket and thus worth a lot more than 400 bucks.

 

[Shotgun674]

OK Fellaz, here's our compromise on price...

Take all the same plastic & metal parts and make 2 or 3 different levels:

STARTER - Does email, internet, schedule, office apps, 4GB storage, 256MB RAM, USB 2.0 & SD slot, standard processor & battery. ($299)

WORKHORSE - Add cellular phone/data, BlueTooth, 6GB NV solid-state storage, 512MB RAM, upgrade processor & battery life. ($599)

BLING - Pile on the gadgets! GPS, multimedia, video conferencing, 1GB RAM, upgraded processor & battery, solar recharging... the list goes on! ($1499)

The tooling and OS are the same across the board, you just upgrade the options... just like laptops & PCs. You could potentially offer many of the BLING features as upgrades to a STARTER or WORKHORSE model, since the nuts & bolts are the same.

Once you introduce the cellular component, you can also get the carrier to offset a big chunk of the price in exchange for a 2 year phone/data agreement.

'Nuff said. - Shotgun

 

[mobilesalesman]

I think the concept of adding the cellular connectivity is a great idea, Shotgun. You are right, that would be the thing that would enable the cell carrier to offset the cost.

I would rather carry a device the size of the Psion with a touch type keyboard and the fuctionality of a phone. That would definately bridge the gap of laptop and pda/cell devices. If you look at mobile people today they often carry one if not two phones, a pda, and laptop; this device would enable the majority to carry one device most of the time and only a small percent or on special occasions would a laptop be needed. Also it would make mobile time much more productive.

What is amazing to me is that with a forum like this thanks to that great article we have collectively created a device that none of the mega computer companies have been able to build. What everyone has commented on are existing technologies, nothing new but a radical more functional way to use the technology we all wish would be built. This would be a very cool device that millions would buy and it would really improve mobile computing.

Great article MobilityGuru and great feedback from all! Now how can MobilityGuru/TG Publishing get the word out so that such a device can be a reality?

 

[shabicht]

alright, i by no means mean to be the most knowledgeable person here, but alot of people are posting things way off either side of the spectrum. i dont think full pda is the answer, because it doesnt make for revolutionary product, and a full on laptop in that size although nice would probably just get way too expensif (sub-notebooks already exist and are well over 2000$ for the most part) What i would like to see is something right in between, so that you are not limited by pda functions, but also not trying to carry a desktop worthy computer in your pocket. im thinking about 1ghz processor, maybe underclocked a little, about 8 gb solid state, and about 256 megs of ram. with these kinds of specs you could end up with something running a windows mobile (ce) or whatever it is, or a light linux distro preferably. This way it is perfect for word processing, web browsing and email and even light media, music, pictures. it would also boot in about 20s. which would be fantastic

hoping this project goes foreward

 

[Hyperion2010]

I think the main thing that makes something like this good is that it fits in your pocket. For me that would be THE selling point. If I couldnt carry it in a pocket then I wouldnt buy it, because I already have a laptop that works perfect for word/web/etc. Something that I could say have in class and that I could read electronic sources on would be amazingly useful.

I think what you described is exactly what this thing already is.

*shamelessly plugs linux again*

EDIT: oh, and if you run linux on it with an X server, then you can ssh to your linux desktop at home and run programs from that on the little fella