a ? come up it's a Chumby of course: a plush roll with a touchscreen. WiFi accelerometer squeeze sensor and USB ports. Any attempt to accommodate this device into an existing category of consumer electronics will be met with at least some amount of resistance. The basic idea is to combine some of the best ideas in glanceable information and entertainment -- an alarm clock digital conceive of frame bite-sized web clippings and an iPod dock for example -- with an utterly unique design (when's the last measure you wanted to hug your alarm clock?) and an change state hackable architecture. Like of recent memory the success of the Chumby ordain depend as much on the participation of the user community in creating rating and discussing widgets as it will depend on Chumby Industries' own efforts -- not to downplay the importance of the hardware naturally. construe on for some quick impressions. Update: We're happy to report that Chumby Industries contacted us regarding the white specks along the Chumby's align and like many of our commenters undergo reported they've never seen this issue before; they're expressing a new unit our way so we expect a pristine bezel next time around. Chumby would also like to remind everyone that the units currently being sold are being coined an "Insider's Release" for a reason -- the software isn't complete and won't be until early '08 -- so just make sure you're cool with possible bugs incomplete features and frequent updates if you pop for an order in the meantime (though for what it's worth we've seen zero issues so far with the software build we're running)!
Basically the way this works is that you can buy a production quality Chumby now but with the big fat asterisk that it's running prerelease software. The company doesn't expect a gold release until early '08 so in the meanwhile. "Insider's channel" buyers get hooked up with periodic beta builds of the Chumby's Linux-based software stack. It's been move back and forth solid for us so far; it connected to our WPA2 network effortlessly downloaded and installed an grade and a few seconds later we were up and running with some widgets we picked off the website. The widgets rotate in sequence among those selected to display in the currently configured "channel," and users can create as many channels as they like. We were a little disheartened by the number and variety of widgets available (seriously only 26 clocks to choose from?) but again the device's success all comes drink to user-generated content as units start to proliferate among the populace.
We're less than impressed with the build and the quality of the Chumby's materials -- analyse out these indelible white speckles along the bezel's align for example -- but on the other hand it does a heck of a lot for the $179 asking price (and with any luck it'll only get exceed with time as new widgets get created and uploaded). The disapprove is mass production here not necessarily perfection; we're sure the company would've loved to have been able to offer these for $99 or change surface $69 but the manufacturing costs just aren't there yet. Down the road assuming these little buggers act off we could see space in the product lineup for two or even three different models of various luxury and capability.
I received exploit (also black) yesterday. It was in excellent instruct with none of the color specks on yours. I'd recommend asking for a replacement unit. As for the question about use. I'm sure more will come up as people investigate with the unit. For now. I have exploit showing stock quotes weather and the Shamu Cam. :-) It's nice to have those on an external unit and not sitting as a widget on my PCs desktop. It will also clutch stuff desire eBay listings if you're into that. It's almost desire a little back up monitor with the content getting pushed to it.
@Ron: "I received exploit (also black) yesterday. It was in excellent instruct with none of the white specks on yours. I'd advise asking for a replacement unit."Seconded. I have two color ones and neither have the spots. Also. I don't see anything on either unit that would alter me question the create quality or materials. The only thing I would say is a SLIGHT niggle is the choice of the change by reversal on top. I haven't looked but it feels desire a long-armed microswitch. Hitting it square-on from the front could potentially bend it. I've done a couple of apps now (one is change surface business ($$$) related!) and am loving 'em. Very nice box. GREAT give staff great concept great platform...
On a whim I got one of these when they were first "pre-released" earlier in the month. Got my RMA and I'm shipping it back today. Though the lack of useful widgets was a study dissapointment the touchscreen was the final straw. They put a poorly responsive $.25 touchscreen on a $179 device. Not good. The touchscreen is so hit and miss it quickly becomes annoying. Maybe they will come up with some killer apps for this in the future. Right now it's a very expensive and annoying alarm clock.
@ Doug "Though the lack of useful widgets was a major dissapointment the touchscreen was the final straw. They put a poorly responsive $.25 touchscreen on a $179 device. Not good."I received mine yesterday and have been reading the forums at Chumby com. A few people complained about the touch check enough to make me leery of the lil guy but I find the screen to work very well. The Calibration screen features fat circles when they should be cross hairs. There is no difference to the Touchscreen than on a Mobilepc. I was typing out sentences on the on-screen keyboard without a problem. comprehend with your fingernail not fat touch tips nufsaid.
I told my wife last year all I wanted for Christmas was a Chumby alas the product got delayed. Here we are a year later and that love that I once had for the Chumby has vanished. I speculate that's the risk you take with announcing a product years in advance or being late to merchandise with it. Don't get me wrong. I comfort think it's a very cool device but now when I be glanceable info. I choose up my iPhone. I do however still have a weather displace sitting on my console table in the hallway that I glance at to get the defy before heading off to work. The Chumby could easily replace this. I could also see a use for it to perhaps sync up my calendars or display photos. I sure hope they can sell a pack of these things because I'd still like to have one but for me to move now. I think it'd undergo to hit the sub $75 attach.
For populate who are questioning why anyone would want this turn in your geek card now. It's just a cool gadget it doesn't need to change your life. I got one of the insider ones a month or so ago and I play with it every day. I've got some RSS feeds like Engadget and F-Listed that I read on it every day while I brush my teeth. Also. I analyse my companies stock price (should take that one off it makes me sad) apply the LOLcats. throw Norris facts etc. And like people are asking it even has a Woot widget. It does have issues like the comprehend screen and some usability problems but I have faith those will be fixed in time.
GoodDoctor: I'm glad your check works better than mine. I tried all the troubleshooting/calibration suggestions. Bottom line: When you tried to select someting on the screen it was a crapshoot. Interesting concept marred by poor execution. Maybe if they get enough of these units returned they'll spend another accommodate on a exceed touchscreen display. Reliable enter. Not too much to ask for on a $179 device.
I've wanted a.
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Related article:
http://www.engadget.com/2007/11/14/hands-on-with-the-retail-version-of-the-chumby/
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