The Big Screen for Your Little Screen (2/2)
Celio Corporation REDFLY Mobile Companion
MORE PRODUCT FEATURES
The keyboard and USB ports are major features which make the Celio REDFLY Mobile Companion appealing.
The built in keyboard is a key component of the REDFLY and provides similar functionality to a PC with shortcut keys and the ability to use single letter mnemonics to access menu items. The USB port can also be used to plug in flash drives. Unfortunately, that is the only USB accessory, other than an external keyboard and mouse, supported by the REDFLY, that means no printers/scanners or external hard drives.
In response to Adam Lein post; Race My Treo! - Usability Speed Tests for the Treo 800w
, I created this video for the REDFLY.
The list of tests I run through are:
- Switch between the email, contacts and calendar applications
- Open a 3rd party application (Windows Live Search) buried within the interface
- Open a favorite web page from the home screen
- Start playing music from a specific artist
- Add a new contact beginning from the home screen using the following details:
- Name: John Doe
- Work Phone: 800.555.1212
- E-mail: test@example.com
- Compose and send a specified E-mail to that contact (beginning from home screen; no cheating and using the contact you've just created and Send E-mail to) using the following details:
- To: John Doe
- Subject: Test Message
- Body: The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog.
HELP SUPPORT
The support of the Celio REDFLY Mobile Companion is handled via an US toll free number (1-888-4REDFLY) and email. The Celio support web site contains a good amount of information in their knowledge base and FAQ. All of the well written documentation can be found here.
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
The Celio REDFLY Mobile Company currently only supports Windows Mobile 5 and 6 devices found on their smartphone list. The drivers for Verizon Samsung i760 require about 500Kb of storage memory.
BUGS AND WISHES
I had no issues installing, configuring or using the REDFLY, however I would like to see:
- Smoother video rendering for applications like Sling Media's Slingplayer mobile
- Support for additional USB accessories, like a USB hard drive
- Built in speakers and microphone
PURCHASING
The Celio REDFLY Mobile Companion can be purchased at Amazon for $499.
PROS
Great rendering with most applications
Small and lightweight
Excellent battery life
Charges your device
CONS
Videos come out blotchy and unwatchable
No speaker or microphone
Expensive
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OVERALL IMPRESSION
The Celio REDFLY Mobile Companion is a one of a kind accessory which enhances the usability of Windows Mobile devices. I found the REDFLY rendering of Excel spreadsheets, Pocket Internet Explorer, and Powerpoint impressive. Unfortunately I could not say the same thing for video rendering. The lack of USB hard drive support is also a disappointment. The REDFLY is currently targeted to enterprise customers which do not need video and would like to reduce their laptop total cost of ownership by providing a single manageable device (a Windows Mobile device), rather than two (a laptop and a smartphone).
This versatile functionality comes at a very steep price of $499. That is much more than the subsidized price of a Windows Mobile device, heck, it's about the same price as a decent laptop. In the end this is a compelling device for business, however given the price and lack of proper video functionality, I don’t believe it is ready for the consumer market.
