I am looking for a device that will have WiFi, Skype and playing podcasts. I have no need for a cell phone and I sick of bringing my laptop with me everywhere I go. Any suggestions?
Thanks in advance
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I am looking for a device that will have WiFi, Skype and playing podcasts. I have no need for a cell phone and I sick of bringing my laptop with me everywhere I go. Any suggestions?
Thanks in advance
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I would have to open it like a laptop, which I already have. I am interested in something that will fit in a cargo pants pocket.
What do you think?
M
This combo has been asked for before. Maybe there is a way to not open the netbook and have it play but the features you are asking for are not in many devices. Maybe the G phone but that's very new and not on your list.
Eh, I can use my own laptop. Maybe I get a device and hack it get it to do what I want. Any suggestions?
M
It's still the right stuff to get this done at the right price.
Keep watching as you see them shrink. And YES, I did have an iPAQ with skype. "woof!" = DOG.
Bob
I am looking at getting netbooks. I want to be able to use Skype, pretty much as my cell phone. I like that you can add a bluetooth keyboard, and add a larger monitor, well at least on the asus901. I was thinking, if you could use Skype with a bluetooth headset (do they make these for Skype or other VOIP programs online?) then you could close the netbook but keep Skype going.
Does anyone know if you can change the settings to keep a netbook on even if you close it? That way I can keep Skype running.
What if I get a Skype phone, can I use it by synchronizing with my netbook aircard? Like free wifi needed to work the phone, only I would be using my paid aircard??
Also, with an external hard drive, could you add a program like Garmin or whatever maps program that could be downloaded. With an external hard drive you could play dvd's, correct? I am also looking into this for my spouse, he's a truck driver and would like an all in one device. What about a flash drive? Does having one of these take the place of a hard drive?
I know, I'm asking for a lot! Just like when I was a kid. I wanted the doll that could laugh, cry, eat, need diapers, crawl & walk. Never did get one!
So do you know if Skype phones are usable while traveling, actually in motion, not just while you are still with wifi?
So, if I have an air card, and am moving a Skype phone will recognise it and I will be able to use the Skype phone like a cell phone?
Even if I have the netbook closed, I can use the card in it to use the Skype phone? It will pick it up like the wifi hotspots?
That would be great if that's the case! I want to get rid of my cell plan if I can use just an air card. It's too expensive for both.
I talked to someone about the settings on laptops/netbooks? and supposedly you can change them to leave it on when you close it. I really wouldn't mind the small sized netbook to carry around in my "bag/purse".
I will post this elsewhere, if needed, but this is the first netbook thread I found, so this is where I will start.
Thanks,
Penny
P.S. While looking for Bluetooth capabilites I found this site. Could someone sum it up for me... it's too much information
Not really, but I did see this statement, so I do think it is possible to use a bluetooth headset with a computer, but not sure with a VOIP.
http://www.ambery.com/wiusbadve20w.html
O.K. I'm done, for now!
As mentioned on the Netbook forum I have an ASUS Eee PC900, an ASUS 1000H and a Medion Akoya E1210 (exactly the same as the MSI Wind 4211 just with different labelling).
I had no problem using Skype on either of these machines - I have a Skype headset though, I don't know if that is the reason for the trouble free use. I believe there is a known issue with the PC900 and Skype, but that's not my experience.
Still, of all the Netbooks I have, the Medion/Wind would have to be my pick. It has a more advanced graphics card (I believe ASUS has improved the graphics card in their 1000J though), and external speakers or headphones fixes the tinny speaker problem.
All in all, after using it for a few weeks now, it's definately the pick of the litter - even taking into account the smaller trackpad, which I have to say I don't understand...I would have thought they'd use the most advanced and biggest footprint trackpad they could manage rather than making it smaller.
....they were obviously trying to keep the costs as low as possible.
In the end though, personal choice and affordability will always dictate what people buy.
I didn't want my post to sound like a question ONLY about using Skype. I imagine Skype can be used on all of them, primarily. I had questions surrounding the use of Skype.
Wouldn't the issue with the trackball be helped by adding a bluetooth keyboard?
Thanks for the info on the Medion/Wind. Hooking up a larger monitor with good graphics could make viewing movies nice too.
Okay, I'll see if I get more into this post.
I've done a bit of playing with the things you outlined as wanting - only on the Medion/Wind - the Asus netbooks have been relegated to the kids now.
Re bluetooth - I use Logitech bluetooth mouse (perfect for this - others I tried...not so good) and Logitech FREEPULSE WIRELESS Bluetooth Headphones (lovely little things - if you have long hair no one even knows you're wearing them). I've used this headset with Skype and there's no problems at all, but of course you have to be near your netbook for the microphone/cam. If you use iTunes then podcasts play just the same as music - with total ease and on any speaker system. If I'm at my desk I plug in my T612 (iPhone speakers), when I'm in the car I plug the netbook into the iPod jack on the stereo system - lovely stereo movies, music whatever straight off the netbook.
I use a wifi broadband usb thingy for accessing the net while I'm out and about (I think that's what you meant by aircard isn't it?
So. I think that about addresses everything you mentioned, if there's anything else, just repost.
All in all, I don't spend anywhere near as much time at my desk now. Between the Netbook and a bunch of very useful aps on my iPhone, I can pretty much run my business and my family while on the move. It's been a very liberating experience.
One thing I have to say - get a netbook with the biggest hard drive you can (mine is 160gb as I mentioned elsewhere).
I'm going to post this on the netbook forum too.
Thank you so much for posting your experience. The one thing that popped up about bluetooth that made me want to ask more was about the microphone. I wonder if they make bluetooth/wireless microphones. I wouldn't mind having to be near the notebook, but any extra "play" would be great.
When I mentioned aircard, I think it would be also considered a data card, or something like a simcard for your cell phone. Can you use your wifi broadband while in motion or only when still? I think I could get away with a wifi broadband, but my spouse would need an air card if he used his netbook like a cell phone. He's a truck driver. It would have to be a constant connection.
Thanks again, I've been waiting to hear more on the possibilities with these lightweight www's traveler pods. (sorry was trying to come up with a nickname for a netbook)
I certain move about when I use it - not miles you understand, but certainly it can sit on the seat of the car while I listen to last fm or a news item and drive about - it has roaming ability, but an get a bit scratchy as one travels between hot spots (it isn't recommended for this type of roaming). I think your hubby would be better with a skype mobile with 3 or some other 3G provider, for the type of application you've described.
The netbook would be more to say, take into a cafe or the car, use a skype headphone (has a builtin mic) or BT headset and use builtin mic as I do. They're never meant to take the place of a mobile/cell phone.
Okay, I may have something more on that: Just got an inspiration - Motorola have a BT Headset/Mic for their smartphones that apparently will work with Skype. My cousin assures me a colleague of his uses one with the Dell 9" (if you can use it with the Dell, you can use it with just about any other Netbook).
Again, hope this helps
Thanks for that info on the Headset/mic! I am planning to have an air card, so it will work while in motion, not just sitting. That way it's always ON!
For emergencies, I am looking into the Skype phone which will use the air card as it's free wifi, I hope! Or the cell service from a pay as you go, SO, we should be set.
An air card with limits on gb useage runs about $60 a month, but without a cell plan & home internet it will just take the place of that cost.
Now all I need to do is see what ya can get with 5gb a month use. I don't care about music on mine, but my spouse would, & maybe t.v. shows. I would want to see a few videos, but probably under 30g's a month.
He might have to have the air card without a limit. We'd spend more for it. Then he can hook up a bigger monitor and watch movies when he isn't driving. He'd also use it for directions instead of having a gps unit.
Not Skype but a free app none the less. Read http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-10116553-37.html