The Next Big Thing
More rationale for the Next Big Thing is supplied by Russell Beattie, who initially questioned the premise of the Nokia 770. He has become a fervent convert to the web-tablet niche.
His change of heart comes from using a WiFi-enabled Sony PlayStation Portable as a web browser. “I couldn’t figure out why anyone would want the [Internet Table] — it’s not a PDA or a phone or a computer. But that’s all changed now,” he says. “using my PSP as an instant-on Web Tablet has completely opened my eyes.” Here’s a photo (modified) from his website of his PSP displaying the Yahoo website.
This type of device has certain salient qualities that make the experience, clear now to him as a user, different from using a PDA or a notebook. For the PSP, Beattie names them as:
- instant on
- instant connect
- good web browser
- great screen
- multimedia support
- price point
Beattie adds: “I envision that Web Tablets are going to replace the ‘laptop on the lap on the couch’ and the morning newspaper quickly. It’s just a REALLY convenient way to read the web without the bulk of even a Tablet PC - it’s so light and convenient and quick to pick up and start using. This is soooo key.” In a comment added later, in response to a skeptical reader, he puts it this way: “I think they’re going to be big. BIG! :-D”
So do I. While the PSP’s screen is 480 x 270, its price is only $250 and it has a huge gaming audience as a base. While I personally favor the Nokia 770’s 800 x 480 screen for surfing, this is somewhat theoretical since I don’t have a device yet. Beattie is writing from experience.
August 2nd, 2005 at 7:47 pm
>>>While the PSP’s screen is 480 x 270, its price is only $250 and it has a huge gaming audience as a base. While I personally favor the Nokia 770’s 800 x 480 screen for surfing, this is somewhat theoretical since I don’t have a device yet. Beattie is writing from experience.
480×270? Big deal. The Palm Tungsten T5 and the LifeDrive have 320×480 screens. And someone asked Beattie, What about the Zodiac [which Beattie claimed to have used for WiFi] isn’t “instant-on”? No reply.
And: No Plucker on that PSP, baby! Or PDF, for that matter.
August 3rd, 2005 at 5:46 am
Ah, come on, Mike.
480×270 (Ok–so I changed the screen orientation)
480×320
Will the typical user notie 50 pixels’ worth of res?
I won’t get into the other issues, but give the Sony its due in the screen area.
Let’s hope that Sony will add e-book software–and I don’t just mean something to do proprietary dreck from Sony itself.
David
August 3rd, 2005 at 8:29 am
>>>Will the typical user notie 50 pixels’ worth of res?
OK, you made your point.
August 3rd, 2005 at 9:14 am
I think what’s more significant is how Russell Beattie can gush over the web browsing with this small a screen. Imagine how larger screens, Nokia 770 among them, will feel to people!
Oh, and just in case anyone misunderstood this title — “The Next Big Thing” is not the Sony PSP but the whole category of device being created and its uses becoming clearer.