Editorial Review

The 3Com Ergo Audrey is part of the new breed of Internet appliancesdesigned to get you connected with e-mail and exploring the Web with as fewextraneous hardware features and as little hassle as possible. The Audreycertainly fulfills that end of the bargain, and it adds organization tools thatcan help a family keep track of busy schedules. But it's important to rememberthat it is a simplified appliance--it's limited in the scope of tasks it canperform and thus can be frustrating to savvy Web users. Read more

Features

• Stand-alone Web browser works with your Internet service provider; get instant access to up to 12 preset Web channels and e-mail
• Features a color touch screen and wireless keyboard
• Organizer functions include datebook, memo pad, and address book
• Synchronize date with 2 Palm OS-compatible devices
• Includes internal 56 Kbps modem; broadband ready with optional 3Com USB Ethernet adapter

Reviews (18)

Lots of potential for a little price
For some unknown reason, 3COM discontinued this web appliance only 5 months after it was released... so forget about getting support from 3COM... they no longer support this device and have even pulled support information from their website. The good news is that there is an entire on-line community devoted to customizing, tweaking and personalizing this web appliance. This item was discontinued in May 2001.
This is not a good buy!Here is a clip from the 3Com web site.Although most of the Audrey (TM) features will continue to work Email, Calendar, Address Book, Web Browsing), as of April 18, 2001, the Internet Channels (i.e., AccuWeather, CBSMarketwatch, etc.) as well as the ability to auto-update system software and applications will no longer function or be supported.

3COM service
I bought the Audrey in December 2000 as a Xmas gift for my wife. The unit really looks stunning, the technical info is promising and the concept sure has a future. Unfortunately 3Com customer support wasn't ready for the product, it sure looked like answers on technical questions came from a random answer generator, definitely the 3Com support people had no clue what the technology was all about. Eventually I got the product running myself and I have to say an absolute slick product. Unfortunately the channel select still doesn't work. And now I found out that 3COM decided to discontinue the product?? One wonders how much business thought went into the launch of the product. At least it must be a relief for the 3Com support guys. I suggest 3Com hands the unpolished Audrey jewel over to the Palm Inc, they've proved to be very succesful with new generation inventions. ... Read more

Editorial Review

The Compaq iPAQ IA-2 Home Internet Appliance provides easy Internet access with the convenience and affordability of a high-resolution CRT monitor. There's no software to load, and no computer knowledge is necessary. Just plug in four cords and you're ready for the Web.Read more

Features

• Turns on and off like a TV and automatically connects to the Internet--no previous computer experience needed
• 15-inch color monitor with resolution of 800 by 600 dpi
• Full keyboard and scrolling mouse
• Includes 32 MB SDRAM, 16 MB flash memory, 2 USB ports
• Content and Internet access provided by MSN only; get free MSN service for six months (initiated at sign-up)--good through December 31, 2001

Reviews (5)

WARNING: MS DROPPING SUPPORT
MS has officially announced that they are dropping support for this Internet Appliance.How do I know - I got the letter from MS telling me so.I suspect the reason behind this is because the IPAQ is based on Internet Explorer V4 - the rest of the civilized world is predominantly using IE6.0.Unless you intend to hack this device to run LINUX, or use it as a door stop, you'd be better off finding youself a cheap PC such as a SUN JAVA DESKTOP or LINDOWS based machine from WalMart for around $300.Leave it to MS (and COMPAQ) to have the short sightedness not to build in ability to easily upgrade.

Only a vehicle for MSN
What we really need is an Internet Appliance which we can use for ANY ISP.Allow us the capability to add 802.11b, so we can place a terminal on a kitchen counter to use while making dinner, watch streaming video, listen to MP3, use to lookup recipes, etc. Lack of MS Support Means an Expensive Paper Weight
I bought this for my Mom, not a techie by any stretch of the imagination.I flew home to Colorado to install it.And that's when the fun began.There was a software problem.Mom could send, but not receive email.Called MS Help Support.Told to re-boot, etc.Still had problems.Additional "help" and I started to get the screen that said a serious problem had occurred.Duh!More time on the phone with help support.Oh, the problem needs to be escalated.Okay, and I'll get a phone call back in 24-96 hours.I'm glad I didn't hold my breath.It's now been over 6 weeks of phone calls to MS Help Support.My trouble ticket has been escalated four times.And I can't tell you how many times I've been told that someone will call me within 24-96 hours.All I want is a new machine to replace the dusty paper weight at my Mom's house.But the person to help me do that is part of the escalation team and I should hear from them in 24-96 hours.: ) Just tell me the truth: that no one is ever going to call me and I'm stuck with this expensive paper weight.Read more

Editorial Review

Make e-mail, voice mail, and Web browsing easy and convenient with theNetpliance i-opener, an affordable Internet appliance for the whole family. Ithas no hard drive--you simply plug in the phone and power cords and you areconnecting to the Internet within minutes. The i-opener helps you stay in touchwith family and friends; get instant information on news, sports, and weather;shop from your home; and more. The Netpliance i-opener connects three times aday to update its instant channels. It also receives operating system andsoftware updates automatically, ensuring that you always have the most accurateinformation and latest services.Read more

Features

• Stand-alone Internet appliance for Netpliance Internet service
• Instant access to Web sites and e-mail, plus address book
• 4 e-mail accounts with MultiMail
• Full-size keyboard with built-in mouse
• Requires $21.95 monthly unlimited-use service fee

Reviews (4)

retired grandma, living on NW island,stays connected
I've had my I-opener since the very beginning.Used to see it advertised in the local Sunday newspaper, finally called the 1-800 number one day...asked a lot of questions and was happy with the answers I received, so I ordered it.It really was so simple to hook it up, turn it on and begin using it right away!I knew zip about PCs, but I caught on really well to the I-opener.Soon I was hooking up a Canon BJC-2000 printer and printing letters to my penpals on the mainland (the ones without email, of course)!I do a lot of shopping online and some of the time I don't seem to have enough power to click-on to certain things...but most of the good websites accept me very well.I received a second appliance (after the 1st one "fried"...as the techies informed me). Sometimes the service is not all that great and other times they are really helpful.The key here is to bepatient.I do have email buddies in Japan, Arizona, Oregon and other parts of Washington state.I love to receive email updates from my representatives and congresswomen...it's quick and I don't have a pile of paper coming in from the post office.Don't know what I'll do when this thing finally dies, because it doesn't look as though anyone is interested in making them anymore.Too bad, because I think that there is a lot of money to be made in selling them to people that don't want the hassle of a PC.

gee,it used to be great
i purchased the iopener when it first came out and it was just what i needed- no fancy stuff, just email and web connection. you wrote your letters , THEN sent them and a little green light told you when your new mail was in. earthlink took over isp march 2001 aand everything was fine until march 2002.thereafter they will or cannot provide incoming email. i'm still hoping to find someway to fix it.

Disappointment
When I first acquired the iopener it was great.As a person who knows nothing about computers and has no desire to know, this item was ideal and opened up a whole new world for me.Within a few months I was forced to acquire my own I.S.P.It went down hill on the day I informed iopener that I was going to do so and even before I actually did.It has been one of the biggest and most frustrating disappointments I have ever experienced.Only one time did I ever receive any help from technical support out of countless times I have contacted them.DON'T buy it.t ... Read more

Features

• Display-High-resolution (800x480) touch screen with up to 65,536 colors, Applications-Web Browser, Email Client, Internet Radio, News Reader, Media players, Image viewer, File Manager, Search, Calculator, World Clock, PDF-viewer, Notes, Sketch, Games, Operating system-Internet Tablet 2005 Software Edition, Memory-On-board Memory: Flash 128MB (>64MB for user), Expansion Memory Slot: 64MB RS-MMC (Reduced Size - MultiMediaCard)
• Supported File Formats-Audio: MP3, MPEG4, AAC, WAV, AMR, MP2,Image: JPEG, GIF, BMP, TIFF, PNG, Animated GIF format, SVG-tiny, ICO, Video: MPEG1, MPEG4, Real Video, H.263, AVI, 3GP
• Connectivity-WLAN: 802.11b/g, Bluetooth wireless technology (for file transfer and optional Internet connection via mobile phone), USB PC connectivity, Memory Card expansion slot for RS-MMC, 3.5 mm stereo audio out, Power connector (2mm)
• Language Support-User Interface: American English, British English, French, German, Italian, Spanish
• Standard Li-ion Battery 1500 mAh-Browse Time up to 3 hours, Standby Time up to 7 days

Reviews (14)

Great concept but browser crashes too often
I have had this more than a year and kept up with all upgrades including the latest OS2006. I have not installed any applications except xterm. All built in apps work fine except for the browser which tends to freeze the machine and reboots it. This happens quite often - about once every 5 to 10 web pages. Another problem is that it tends to loose WiFi connections requiring me to disconnect and reconnect. Bluetooth works fine but still crashes with the browser. I've disabled everything on the browser like cache, all plugins, etc but no luck. I even configured the device as rootbut still crashes. It seems to crash randomly regardless of web content. Seamed like a hardware problem but another review above stated similar symptoms. Also Walt Mossberg's review from Wall St Jrnl cautioned on reliability. So it looks like a systemic issue that Nokia has to address. Normally, I would expect Unix derivatives to be very stable but this device proves that wrong. I would not recommend this product untill Nokia addresses this problem. I just purchased a windows mobile 5 device (HTC-8125) and its browser is rock solid. Just wish a WM5 device comes out with a screen as good as the nokia's.

A great device
I have had my 770 for a week now. It works great. The key is to download the free open source applications from Nokia. I am using a to-do list manager and note taking software that lets me write hand written notes.
Not Yet a Keeper
Ordered this from Nokia and kept it two days. The positive is ease of WiFi internet connection and bright screen. Applications are not state of the art and it does not permit connection to all cell phones (it connected to a Nokia but not the Blackberry via bluetooth). A good concept but not yet a keeper. Better to use a small notebook computer in my opinion. ... Read more

Features

• Audrey compatible-Simple Plug-N-Play
• USB makes for easy installation
• Works with any PC equipped with a USB port and Windows
• Compatible with existing LAN installations/10BASE-T
• Space-saver, requires no external power supply

Features

• Features a color touch screen and wireless keyboard
• Stand-alone Web browser works with your Internet service provider; get instant access to the web and e-mail
• Organizer functions include datebook, memo pad, and address book
• Includes internal 56 Kbps modem; broadband ready with optional 3Com USB Ethernet adapter
• Easy to use for ages 5 to 105

Features

• The Most Advanced Cell/PDA on the Market!
• 128MB of RAM, VGA quality Digital Camera, MP3 Player
• Tri-Band GSM/GPRS with REAL wireless Web-browsing
• using GPRS data band so no cell minutes are used when
• surfing the Web.

Reviews (2)

All in one
I have had the imate for about 6 months now and I have never seen anything than made me regret buying it. What ever comes out in the market it could not beat the imate. I travel a lot so its very useful for emails and phone calls, internet, there also MP3 so when I excersise I dont need another player, I can record meeting, I read books via ebooks, its really GREAT! oh the best thing is that theres a back up battery so you never really worry about loosing all your data!

WORTH WAITING FOR
As I live in the middle east with my family and have to travel around a lot, I longed for a machine that I could check email, sms, phone or any way possible to contact my family, and this is it. Obviously the only limitations are the service providers in the middle east but to date I have had no problem. I have used a Hewlett Packard Jornada and a mobile phone up until now, but always wanted an all in one unit. The machine is simple to use as long as your are a computer user. The GPRS and email account set up is the easiest I have seen, no more fiddling with lots of settings on the email I put in my email address, it asked for access password and user name and I was up and running. On my travels I need a lot of reference documents and most of mine are available digitally so I always take them with me on the imate, obviously I needed the SD Card but its worth while. I must admit the only problem I am having at the moment is getting my AUDIBLE.COM books to work on the machine but I am sure that is just a couple of key strokes away, the machine wants to open the files in Reader which is no good when I want them in Media Player.
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