Motorola's rugged 3G-equipped 6.5" pocket computer calls to me
There it is again. Like a junkie hidden inside, needing its fix, something lit up at the sight of Motorola's VC6096, even though it's just another ugly handheld computer. And yet the sense of palpable excitement will not subside: I must hold it, play with it, and see if it's any better than its legion of nigh-useless predecessors.
But this, this might be the one. It has 3G internet and 802.11abg WiFi, a full QWERTY keyboard, a mic, speakers, GPS, bluetooth. It runs Windows Mobile, which, for all its flaws, should mean decent battery life and the option of Skype should it not otherwise do voice calls.
There's no camera, though, and it's pitched as a carputer/in-dash gadget, so it's bigger than it looks in this photo — that screen is a full 6.5 inches. Moto's sales model for it is crushingly vertical: "Click here to arrange for us to negotiate pricing with you," seems to be the closest thing there to a "Buy it now" button.
Nevertheless, technology is getting close my nerdiest dreams of youth.
VC6096 WWAN In-Vehicle/Fixed Mount Mobile Computer [Motorola]
Motorola VC6096 [Navigadget]
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It's similar in form to the Tandy Model 100, which is looked back upon with fondness by many people.
give me this in a clamshell form factor.. like a netbook with wm6.1 and battery life..
It needs more sliderule. Then it would fly off the shelves.
#2++
nope it just needs more cowbell.
What? In case I need to look up a recipe while I'm driving?
A QWERTY keyboard on a carputer? No thank you.
MUST HAZ Speek n Spell 2000!
The VC6096 has no battery, so battery life is out of the question. This is designed specifically to be mounted in a vehicle and draws power either by being wired directly into the vehicle's power, or by an optional cigarette lighter adapter.
There is a connector that allows the device to be connected directly to the diagnostics port on the vehicle, which can then use the 802.11 or 3G radio to automatically send that data (along with GPS information) back to whoever needs it.
None of the antennas are built-in. They are designed to be mounted on the vehicle (internally or externally) wherever they will get the best reception.
There is another version of this, the VC6000, that has no wireless capability, but has an Ethernet port, for use as a fixed mounted workstation in places where a full-blown computer is not practical.
"Crushing Vertical"? This device is released by Motorola's relatively new Enterprise Mobility division, which primarily consists of the company formerly known as Symbol, recently acquired by Motorola. Symbol is best known for ruggedized mobile computers and barcode scanners that work exceptionally well, and has never made consumer grade devices.
In short, this is not the mobile computer you are looking for, unless you have a fleet of lorries or tractor-trailers you're trying to keep track of, in which case it is exactly the mobile computer you are looking for.
You may want to look at Motorola's MC75 instead. It has all of the functions of a standard Windows Mobile phone, plus a 3G radio (Your choice of HSDPA or EVDO rev. A), 3.5 inch full VGA screen, built in barcode scanner (either a one dimensional linear scanner or two dimensional imager), optional 2 Mega pixel camera, GPS, bluetooth, a 5 foot to concrete drop spec, IP54 sealing, and -10 to 50 degree Celsius (14 to 122 Fahrenheit) operating temperature range (which makes it unlikely you'll be able to break it accidentally, even if you leave it out in a rain/snow/sandstorm). If you do somehow manage to break it, the standard warranty covers any breakage, regardless of cause, for one year (or longer for an additional fee), as long as you collect most of the parts and ship them to the repair facility. Optional accessories include a fingerprint scanner or mag stripe reader. It comes with a 3600 mAh battery that should be plenty to get you through the day.
(Full Disclosure: I'm an engineer for a company that sells these things.)