AlphaSmart Announces Dana Wireless

Ed Hardy · 07-01-2003, 05:49 PM

The next version of this device for students will include integrated Wi-Fi wireless networking.

Read more at http://www.brighthand.com/article/Al..._Dana_Wireless

gfunkmagic · 07-01-2003, 06:04 PM

I didn't you you could integrate wifi into a OS 4.1 device!

Anyway, how does the Dana wireless compare market-wise to the Earthlink Mail Station ? The one 250 and 350 are much cheaper alternatives (heck the 150 is free after rebate!), although they do not offer wifi or PalmOS funtionality. Also, I think Alphsmart should have also integrated VoIP with this new model. That would have been a truely powerful combo...but perhaps that isn't possible with OS 4.1?...

Scott R · 07-01-2003, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by gfunkmagic
I didn't you you could integrate wifi into a OS 4.1 device!

Why not? Remember those Wi-Fi sleds for the m500-series. I believe there was also a Wi-Fi Springboard for the Visors.

I think these Dana's are kinda neat, but I think a better design would be to have the screen close over the keyboard (like a traditional laptop).

Quote:

Originally posted by gfunkmagic
Anyway, how does the Dana wireless compare market-wise to the Earthlink Mail Station ? The one 250 and 350 are much cheaper alternatives (heck the 150 is free after rebate!), although they do not offer wifi or PalmOS funtionality. Also, I think Alphsmart should have also integrated VoIP with this new model. That would have been a truely powerful combo...but perhaps that isn't possible with OS 4.1?...

Those Mail Stations are aimed at home consumers who want email but don't want a full-fledged desktop computer. These AlphaSmarts are aimed at the younger educational market. I think that integrating Wi-Fi makes a lot of sense because you can have all of these "computers" save their classwork on a server (or teacher's computer located in the class) as well as access "public" classwork from that computer, etc. I will say that while I thought that the original AlphaSmart was kind of "neat," I didn't expect it to sell well. It's nice to see that Dana is apparently doing well enough that they've moved on to a version 2 product.

Scott

David C · 07-02-2003, 01:51 AM

cool, but I don't see how this is going to sell. Unless this is going to sell for something like $20, I don't see a market for it. Sure, you'd think it's good for students. But realistically, it's pretty embarasing to have to carry that around in class. A palm or pocket pc is cool to have becasue it is so small. Laptop aren't that expensive anymore if you need a full size keyboard. A wanna be laptop... I don't know. Kids hate to be different and get laughed at.

imported_Chet · 07-02-2003, 03:52 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by David C
cool, but I don't see how this is going to sell. Unless this is going to sell for something like $20, I don't see a market for it. Sure, you'd think it's good for students. But realistically, it's pretty embarasing to have to carry that around in class. A palm or pocket pc is cool to have becasue it is so small. Laptop aren't that expensive anymore if you need a full size keyboard. A wanna be laptop... I don't know. Kids hate to be different and get laughed at.

Hmm ... you need to take a look at this review of the Dana by a schoolgirl over in England:
Becky Smith reviews the Dana

AlphaSmart doesn't merely think it's good for students. They've been selling to schools for the past 10 years. They know their market.

A palm or pocket pc may be cool because they're so small, but when it comes to lengthy input of data, they don't have the right equipment, i.e., a comfortable keyboard.

Laptops aren't that expensive anymore, but laptop battery life is still pathetic. Sure, you can get a second battery that will boost the laptop's life, but that would also jack up the price, right?

Where else can you get a device with instant boot-on, comfortable integrated full-sized keyboard, and battery life rated at around 25 hours? Plus, a choice of rechargeable or regular batteries, too.

Where else, but from AlphaSmart, Inc in the form of its Dana? Now, with wireless option, too.

Scott R · 07-02-2003, 09:46 AM

It is my understanding that these are primarily bought by schools. They would be used during "class time" and then stocked away in a locked storage cabinet at the end of class. And, as I said in my post above, the fact that they're still around making a new version of this product would seem to indicate to me that it was worth their while. If they were looking to appeal to the students themselves, then I agree that this would probably sell at very low volumes.

Scott

imported_Chet · 07-02-2003, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Scott R
It is my understanding that these are primarily bought by schools. They would be used during "class time" and then stocked away in a locked storage cabinet at the end of class. And, as I said in my post above, the fact that they're still around making a new version of this product would seem to indicate to me that it was worth their while. If they were looking to appeal to the students themselves, then I agree that this would probably sell at very low volumes.

Scott

It's the other AlphaSmart product - the AlphaSmart 3000 - that's aimed at schools.

The Dana, while still being marketed to the school segment (college level), has also found a market among writers looking for an inexpensive way to write away from their desk.

Ed Hardy · 07-02-2003, 10:25 AM

All AlphaSmart's products are aimed at schools. As their mission statements says "Our mission is to develop and market affordable and effective technology solutions for the education market."

Heck, their site talks about the advantages of buying 500 of them. Not something your average consumer is going to do. A school is a different story.

Gekko · 07-02-2003, 12:39 PM

DELL Inspiron 1100 Notebook - $699 NEW

http://www.dell.com/us/en/dhs/offers..._special62.htm

Scott R · 07-02-2003, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Gekko
DELL Inspiron 1100 Notebook - $699 NEW

http://www.dell.com/us/en/dhs/offers..._special62.htm

That's 63% more than the Dana. I wouldn't call that "a few bucks more." And it doesn't look like it has Wi-Fi built in either, which brings the cost up a bit more as well. There's also a lot more maintenance and "things that can go wrong" on a laptop when you're letting kids bang away at them all day. With the Dana, you just hard-reset it and everything is back to the original settings. I'm not saying that I'd want one of these for myself, just that comparing it to a laptop isn't that cut and dry.

Scott