The Ultimate Device

Damian — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 08:01:06 +0000

I see that Apple are deigning to release the new iPhone in New Zealand soon. I’ve had an iMate Jam for almost three years now and only use it as a phone and an MP3 player (since moving to Linux I’ve been unable to sync my calendar and emails). I’m not going to be rushing out to get the new iPhone either. Why? Because I already know what I want in a device and I just know I’m going to be deeply dissatisfied with anything for the next ten or twenty years.

Here’s my specs for the ultimate device:

Small enough to be worn on the wrist (perhaps twice the size of a watch but more fitted)
An in-built or pull-out screen that suffices and has a minimum 800×600 resolution
A universal docking port.
Open source software AND hardware
Phone
Good quality camera (~4 megapixels + optical zoom)
Audio and Video playback
Desktop-equivalent processor + 4gb ram (to replace current PC but can be hotplugged into screen, keyboard, mouse and other devices wherever I happen to be)
At least 160GB storage.
Bottle opener
Assorted knives, saws, scissors and picky things (air travel issues here)
GPS
Heart rate and other physiological monitors
IR and radio remote control and key control for car, TV and house
Credit card built in
Solar panel on the back in case I can’t get near a power point
Emergency beacon
Tape measure
Minesweeper and solitaire (isn’t that obligatory?)
Total lockdown of sensitive information

And that’s all I can think of right now. Anything less is just not going to blow my socks off.

When my iMate finally dies I’m probably going to go back to my trusty Nokia 8210 which pretty much does everything I currently need a phone to do.

And Slaters Go Plop » iMeh

The Ultimate Device