Celio Redfly Price Dropped 20%

[Ed Hardy]

Celio Corp. has dropped the cost of the Redfly by $100, putting this powerful accessory in the range of more people.

The Redfly is a laptop-shaped device that can be used to give a Windows Mobile device a larger display, full keyboard, mouse, and USB ports. Essentially, it turns a smartphone into a laptop.

When this product debuted earlier this year, many expressed interest but complained at the $500 price tag. In response, Celio has dropped the cost to $400.

The Redfly can be purchased at the lower price on the WMExperts Store.

More about the Celio Redfly

Although at first glance this model resembles a subnotebook, the Redfly works completely differently. It serves as an accessory for a smartphone, and does not act as a stand-alone computer.

When Celio's device is connected to a Windows Mobile phone, either by Bluetooth or USB, any application on the smartphone is shown on the Mobile Companion's 8-inch, WVGA display without modification or synchronization. The user is then able to interact with that application through a large keyboard and trackpad or mouse.

It is able to run for eight hours on a single charge, or some of its battery power can be transferred to the smartphone. 

The Redfly is 9 inches wide, 6 inches deep, and 1 inch thick. It weighs 2.0 pounds (plus a 4 oz. adapter).

Related Articles:

• Celio Redfly Review

 

[treynolds]

Sounds like a Foleo with a reduced feature-set...

Jeff Hawkins was right all along.

Tony

[Ed Hardy]

The Redfly is the device the Foleo should have been in the first place.

I see little point in buying a second mobile computer when you've already got a very capable one with you: your smartphone.

And unlike the Redfly, a subnotebook opens up additional hassles, like file and data synchronization, virus protection, system software updates, etc.
-

[Girt]

Sounds like a Foleo with a reduced feature-set...

Jeff Hawkins was right all along.

Tony

Oh, absolutely. As smartphones continue to increase in capability, I see this device as inevitable. I would forecast the combo ultimately replacing the laptop, except for the fact that our expectations and abilities of our computers continues to grow as well.

One big difference from the Foleo, is that this doesn't try to be a mini-laptop on its own, but is just an accessory, as it were, to your smartphone - just a screen, keyboard, mousepad and ports. And a big battery. The foleo was designed to sync, and I always wondered about that, as surely you would have your smartphone with you anyway? I think the syncing might have been part of the Foleo's struggles as well.

I've been watching eBay, and only seen one for sale:
a. buyers must be happy with them?
b. suprised the wholesalers aren't trying to move new units.

All that said, I would like to see these things get cheaper still, and smaller. This is about the size and price of an EEE, for way less computer. I have an external keyboard, a battery pack, and a pair of reading glasses, for about $150, and under a pound. I'd like to see this move closer in that direction.

[neuron]

as long as EEE PCs (netbook) are still priced under $300, there is no way this thing can go popular.

Most people are not smartphone geeks.

[Bob]

The Eee PC doesn't go for under $300. The cheapest is $400. Without Windows.

[cktlcmd]

Since this is still an accessory, $400 is still high.

[Silly Rabbit]

The Eee PC doesn't go for under $300. The cheapest is $400. Without Windows.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...SUS-_-34220269

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001150JW2

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...100&CatId=2814

(Just to name a few places...) All in stock & all $299.

[Girt]

... these comments just confirming that, maybe the world *isn't* quite ready for the Foleo. Or Redfly, perhaps. The one thing Redfly is giving you over the Eee is battery life. For the 2.8 hrs the Eee has, the Redfly would probably only weigh 1.5 lbs. Which I would recommend: small battery for meetings, larger "wedge" that attaches for trips. Worked great on my 2.4lb Toshiba R100.

- Girt

PS - I am not a smartphone geek. I'm a PDA geek. I'm an ex-smartphone geek, but the screen was too small...

[erwos]

The Redfly is the device the Foleo should have been in the first place.

I see little point in buying a second mobile computer when you've already got a very capable one with you: your smartphone.

And unlike the Redfly, a subnotebook opens up additional hassles, like file and data synchronization, virus protection, system software updates, etc.

I could not agree more with you. It's pretty clear that people don't "get" what the Redfly is, and what it's supposed to do. As smartphones get more powerful, there's no reason they shouldn't be "the computer" all on their own. The new HTC phones are a real step in that direction.