The Big Screen for Your Little Screen (1/2)
Celio Corporation REDFLY Mobile Companion
INTRODUCTION
The advent of integrated thumb keyboards on Windows Mobile devices has meant the demise of compatible portable Bluetooth keyboards. The current class of devices are almost full-fledged computing platforms, however the size of the screen and keyboards limits their full potential. The Celio Corporation identified this need and created the REDFLY Mobile Companion - a combination full QWERTY keyboard and 8" LCD screen. This accessory looks more like an Ultra Mobile Personal Companion (UMPC) than an accessory for a Windows Mobile device. Let's see how well it performs its job as a Mobile Companion to our beloved Windows Mobile devices!
SETUP
The Celio REDFLY Mobile Companion includes the UMPC like clamshell, power supply, installation CD, and quick start guide.
Here is the video unboxing of the Celio REDFLY Mobile Companion.
The REDFLY measures 1x6x9 inches, weighs 2 pounds, sports an 800x480 8” screen (that's WVGA for those keeping track), an 80 key QWERTY keyboard with a touch pad, and a 4,500mAh internal battery rated at 8 hours which also charges your smartphone via the USB connection. The USB ports (of which there are 2) can be used for flash drives, keyboards and mice. It can also be connected to external monitors or projectors with its VGA port. The smartphone can be connected via USB or Bluetooth.
The installation and configuration of the Celio REDFLY Mobile Companion drivers on my Verizon Samsung i760 Windows Mobile 6 Professional was mindless. The Celio REDFLY Mobile Companion provides USB and Bluetooth connectivity.
Only certain devices are currently certified to operate with the REDFLY. The list of Windows Mobile device are found on the Celio web site.
Here's a list of the most popular phones: Treo 750 and 800w, Sprint Touch and Mogul, Motorola Q9h/m, unclocked HTC Touch, AT&T Tilt and BlackJack II, and others.
PRODUCT FEATURES
The Celio REDFLY provides full access to the Windows Mobile device's functionality.
The breadth of applications which render well on the REDFLY's 8" screen is extensive. However, applications which directly access the Windows Mobile device's video hardware like Windows Media Player (in video mode) and Sling Media Slingplayer mobile do not fare well, with video coming across as choppy and difficult to watch. This video demonstrates Pocket Excel, Pocket PowerPoint, Adobe Reader, Windows Live Search, and Pocket Internet Explorer.
