What makes PsiXpda So Special?
Submitted by Paul on Fri, 04/12/2009 - 12:08
Recently I was asked, what makes PsiXpda so special? To which I replied:
At 430g it's not a pain in the neck to carry;
You commute with less;
PsiXpda cheats on your laptop;
Looks natural on a beach or in a bar.
I was then asked, what can't PsiXpda do?
Well it still can't make the coffee, but it will tell you when it's time to!
On a more serious note...
I started my electronic engineering career over twenty five years ago, working at Psion. I was their first service engineer, with the responsibility to repair as opposed to ‘swap-out’ machines. With that, I was allowed access to most of the secrets of the Psion software and hardware. I enjoyed technical privileges without limitations and under Dr David Potter’s school of thought; I was exposed to all things PDA.
In 1995, I resigned from Psion, with the approval of key directors, and was then given the platform to continue where Psion left off. I then successfully established POS Ltd to expand the service and support being offered to Psion users. Our productivity as a company led to a signed agreement with Psion and Symbian. POS Ltd was able to continue the development and manufacturing of the Psion 5mx under license and into the 21st century.
At POS Ltd l was asked by a Psion enthusiast if l could find him a modern replacement for his Psion Series 5mx. I was somewhat dismissive - because of my Psion architectural background, I knew there was nothing comparable on the current market that I could recommend. The simple fact was, the device for the job was yet to be built, but the concept for an updated Psion 5mx was never far from my mind.
25 years later, l am still a fan of Qwerty keyboard based PDAs. I’m naturally in tune with the current and former Psion users, whose needs remain unsatisfied. There was a niche in the marketplace that needed to be filled. Due to my skills, knowledge and experience, I decided it was a challenge I had to accept.
l knew we needed to find:
- A manufacturer willing to share the view that a small pocket computer with a Qwerty keyboard is better for data input than a touch screen.
- An investor willing to ask the right questions, such as, 'how much of the share can you take from the market leaders and at what cost?'
With these key questions answered, I was then able to start to turn the dreams on my hard drive into reality. The challenge to create PsiXpda has already been a long journey to reach this point. The road stretches off even further into the distance, but now I'm ready to share those dreams with you, starting today.
Comments
#1 So you finally did it,
So you finally did it, congratulations.
I'll have to try and get hold of one to try out, great to see Psion designs are still inspiring people.
Seems a long time ago we were all at the Greenford repair centre.
if you want to get in touch you can contact me via http://shaun.ph
cheers Shaun Phillips (ex Psion engineer, now working for Symbian Foundation
Kaldenkirchen
#2 this unit is too large .
this unit is too large . ideally it should be a 3.7 screen
You say too lager but in comparison to what?
PsiXpda runs Windows XP Pro I have seen PsiXpda at the Gadget Show even running Windows 7 Ultimate.
PsiXpda is comparable to a Net-book, or Tablet PC, if you say PsiXpda is too large to be a phone then we agree PsiXpda is not a phone.
Phones are small, PsiXpda is the perfect communicator fittings between the mobile phone and you computer.
#3 I found out a lot of useful
I found out a lot of useful information about battery performance and how to my laptop's battery life from your post. Did you know duracell is planning to start producing mobile phone batteries? I think this is great news!
#4 PSION Series 7
I am a long time Series 7 user and love the size, instant on and off, and touch screen and it has taken some significant abuse. I have dropped it on more than one occasion and it still works and still looks good. It is at the point it need service and batteries, etc., I wonder how many notebook owners can say the same? I payed about $800.00 US new and would pay the same for a Windows version of the same size, quality and features as my PSION 7.
BJ Foster
Sacramento CA USA
#5 Psion To Psi)(pda
Having worked on more Psion than any other I agree, the Psion Series 7 is tough nut to crack.
The PCB and the display is cushioned by space so dropping the unit will have very little impact,
Let me a little extra and say that PsiXpda is the Ferrari of the UMPC world, handle with care and
it will handle like a dream.
#6 Formfactor and speed
Three great things with Psion was: 1:size (big pocket),2: batterytime (several weeks) 3: time to start (zero).
1: The PsiXpDa have the right size.
2: Battery time to short, but can be compensated if using extra battery. What price for extra battery ?
3:The problem might be the start-time. Using static memory it would be possible to have a very fast wakeup for a computer, the problem is the price.
How long time does it take for PsiXPda to wakeup ?
/Claes Börjesson
#7 a few questions
Paul,
First, GREAT to see a Psion-like device making a debut. The 3a was my favorite. Does this device have, or can you write the code for the To-Do list program that was on the Psion? It was sooo usable and had great features that I can't find on any Blackberry software or PC software.
Also, what about instant ON with this machine? That was a great Psion feature.
Will the PsiXpda work on the U.S. Sprint 3G network?
I hope the case is a bit more sturdy than the 3A. I had some problems with the physical case breaking, primarily the hinges.
#8 No instant on, not yet,
No instant on, not yet, request 3G for your region and we will deliver.
I am psion as well as a Psi)(pda man I aim to improve the brand.
Our customer requested the Psion form factor
Not a Blackberry man, it that one of those five-a-day as is recommended by your health department?
#9 Data capture
I have used the 3mx for years and have a couple in reserve/backup for when I have to return one for repairs like hinges & screen-cable.
I my opinion, even though lacking a colour screen, non-connectivity between contemporary pc's and full internet capability as with moderm PDA's, I still regard it beyond anything else out in the marketplace, for the essential task of data collection & storage, which is the critical mode d'employ of any Salesman on the road today.
It's ability for 'instant On' boot-up and fast find of text-string, together with the Calendar & diary functions and tremendously simply battery usage, makes it an impressive & practical machine even in today's market.
I can appreciate the huge amount of background work which has gone into the launch of the PsiXpda and wish it a success however, I think I will still continue with the old technology on the basis that 'if it aint broke, don't fix it' motto, until a practical & reliable replacement for the 3mx arrives.
#10 I will repeat I am a Psion
I will repeat I am a Psion man, I love everything Psion, however we were spending most of our resources supporting a decreasing market we just could not continue.
I have deleted all Psion 3, 3a, 3c, 3mx, 5 & 5mx tooling, so please take care of you Psion what ever the model.
#11 PsiXpda
I still use my Ericsson 128, which I think had a more useful (for me) implementation of symbian OS. Although I admit to not using the built in email or browser for a couple years, I find it one of the best buys I've made in my life.
I'd be sorely tempted by a significant upgraded Psion 5mx [USB slot instead of the currrent slot; bluetooth rather than infrared; better screen connection than the ribbon, which has failed fairly regularly every 18 months or so; existence of a conversion program to link with my MacBook] and wifi connectability would be a dream. I'm not personally worried about colour screen.
But if it only runs MicroSoft OS, I'm not interested at all.
John Clifford
East Kilbride
#12 Looking forward to it...
Really looking forward to getting one of these and tossing on Caos Linux the day I get it.
#13 You've got me tempted already
As someone who still owns a Psion 5 and have held off buying another pda due to the poor keyboards, I'm definitely interested in this, especially if you've applied some of the Psion build quality standards.
The only thing I would hold off for at the moment is the operating system. I have transferred to using linux on my laptops for 99% of my work so would be interested if you plan to test out one of the linux OS's in the future.
I will be keeping an eye on developments and hope this proves successful.
Dave Smith
#14 Ubuntu NBR
Being atom based with Intel GMA video it looks likely that something like the NBR would run on it - perhaps Paul could comment?
#15 Well Paul, I know this was a long time dream
So you finally did it, congratulations.
I'll have to try and get hold of one to try out, great to see Psion designs are still inspiring people.
Seems a long time ago we were all at the Greenford repair centre.
if you want to get in touch you can contact me via http://shaun.ph
cheers Shaun Phillips (ex Psion engineer, now working for Symbian Foundation)
#16 psion like pda interface
I come across PsiXpda from theregister.co.uk. I am glad to know that someone
like you, with such in-depth psion knowledge, is still working on the best PDA
we ever have.
For PsiXpda, I like to see a pda interface rather than just Windows. Windows
interface is good for PC, but not a pda.
Donald
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