One device to rule them all

[Freeshadow]

We had this discussion once already methinks.
So I'll keep it short repeating only the most important points.
1. There are enough places where bringing in of a camera or a phone (or both) is prohibited. With all in one you end up leaving everything at the gate. Sucks, eh?
2. Touchscreens are not the perfect method for everything thus as a working or gaming device it sucks too. There are already enough good game concepts vanishing while more and more dumb minigames appear. Thanks, no.
3. Size. What I certainly don't need is a music player the size of my phone, or a phone the size of my reader.

[StoryEnthusiast]

Originally Posted by kennyc

OMG, surely you are not serious. The MS Surface looks like a total disaster to me.

I've been stuck with MS products for too long.

[eadem]

Originally Posted by wodin

This entire thread bring to my mind three words; Samsung Galaxy Note! Does it all for me.

I own a Note and love it but the screen is too small for reading serious stuff for hours, the back-lit screen is also a problem (for my sore eyes). I read scientific papers (among other things). How does the Note 5 inch screen compare with a 6 inch Kindle Touch? Is it easier to read on 6" eInk? Or shall I go for a DX or Boox M92?

[Kumabjorn]

Granted, I only read novels or straight non-fiction on my Note, but I think it works splendidly for that purpose. I read on the bus, in bed or in cafes, sometimes for a few hours straight. With the Kindle app I can set don't size and background so I get it just right.

[Harmon]

Originally Posted by wodin

This entire thread bring to my mind three words; Samsung Galaxy Note! Does it all for me.

I've considered that Unified Device Solution myself. There are only two things holding me back.

The first is that I inhabit the Apple ecosystem. Sure, I have a couple of eInk devices, but frankly, that's just because Apple doesn't make one. Even with a UDS, I'd still need to have a computer & a 10 inch tablet, or a laptop, so any UDS would have to be comAppleable, at least for my purposes.

The second is that LCD devices tire my eyes. Yes, yes, I know that in theory they can be adjusted &c &c &c, but in practice, eInk is simply easier to read for extended periods in most environments. YMMV.

Now, the first reason is only persuasive for those who are all Mac'd up. And the second one doesn't matter, because nobody seems to care about making an LCD device which can switch to eInk when needed (my understanding is that this is technologically possible).

So with these practical (for me) limitations, I agree that the Note has hit the sweet spot for a UDS. The upcoming iPhone will stretch the screen a little, & I'll probably get one for that reason (plus it's my turn to get a new device under our family's "every-other-generation" plan). But in terms of being a UDS, it won't be as good as the Note.

[Kumabjorn]

iPhone does have the advantage of retina display, haven't seen one myself but supposedly it's better than both the Note and eInk displays. If you know someone who has one, why not try and read on it and see how your eyes cope?

[Harmon]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

I like separate devices, because the feature sets, prices, portability, and battery life are usually much better than all-in-one devices. Since I don't require 24/7 net access, I have more flexibility in choosing my gadgets.

• Phone: standard feature phone (calls, texting)
• Home: Kindle 4 (reading) -- iPod touch 4 (audiobooks, music)
• Traveling: Clip Zip (audiobooks, music) -- Galaxy Player 4 (GPS, internet)

The only thing missing is a 7" quad-core tablet w/ card slot. Primary use is for videos while on vacation (no wifi); after that, it's a toy.

Those are the three areas of most people's usage, I expect. I suggest, however, that you might rename the categories to Pocket, Home, and Travel.

My own lineup is:

• Pocket: iPhone (front pocket) Sony T1 (back pocket)
• Home: iPad (surfing, music), iphone (podcasts, audiobooks, dogwalking), Sony 950 (bedside)/KDX (easy chair)
• Travel: iPad (movies, surfing, email), K3, iPhone

When I look at this lineup, I don't see a good spot for a 7" tablet. For me, it would be too big for a pocket device and utterly redundant for a home device. It's possible that it could replace the iPad/K3 combination when I'm traveling, since I prefer to travel light.

[Harmon]

Originally Posted by Kumabjorn

I do believe people went jogging in the 80's as well.

Amazing what those primitives could accomplish without being connected!

Once in a while I forget to take my iPhone with me when I go out, and it's an odd feeling. Sort of like skinny-dipping: vaguely transgressive.

[wodin]

Originally Posted by Harmon

Amazing what those primitives could accomplish without being connected!

Once in a while I forget to take my iPhone with me when I go out, and it's an odd feeling. Sort of like skinny-dipping: vaguely transgressive.

I forgot my GNote in his desk dock at work once last week. I nearly turned around to retrieve him but since I was almost home before realizing he was not with me, I decided not to.

I felt positively NAKED! ALL NIGHT!

[HansTWN]

Originally Posted by Harmon

Amazing what those primitives could accomplish without being connected!

Once in a while I forget to take my iPhone with me when I go out, and it's an odd feeling. Sort of like skinny-dipping: vaguely transgressive.

I guess you have never been skinny-dipping..

[Harmon]

Originally Posted by HansTWN

I guess you have never been skinny-dipping..

Not with my iPhone...

[Edward M. Grant]

Not until it's built into my brain.

[HansTWN]

Originally Posted by Harmon

Not with my iPhone...

Sony has a new waterproof phone out, the Xperia Acro S. That may just be what you need.

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by Kumabjorn

iPhone does have the advantage of retina display, haven't seen one myself but supposedly it's better than both the Note and eInk displays. ...

I hate that "name" that spin and hype and misleading advertising. It's nothing special, it's just more advertising hype that apple is so good at.

[Kumabjorn]

Originally Posted by kennyc

I hate that "name" that spin and hype and misleading advertising. It's nothing special, it's just more advertising hype that apple is so good at.

Perhaps, but from what I've seen from pictures on the web it is a remarkable resolution.