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Some small hardware enhancement could be cheap, but very useful. Please add your ideas/wishes here:
Integrate a Hard drive
I'm surprised no one thought of this, but its the first modification anyone does to at multi-media device.
If an extension is made so that a 1.8" hard drive can be easily added or even made hot swappable, that would be wonderful. It's the next logical step to make this device perfect. I think everyone is missing the fact that if you make the device this flexible, most people will want to keep and store all their content on their device. Its very important that the hdd can be replaced when neccessary, if someone takes times to customize their device exactly how they want it, they will all want the option to add more memory when neccessary without having to buy a completely new device.
Also, the "pill-shape" look isn't very appealing to the business users, it gives it the impression that this device is only for the younger generation because its so "PSP-like". If you make the buyer's an second option of a rectangular shape it will more appealing to the business user.
Made Hardware Extension/Expansion for the Base Product
Market this device like a fully customizable PC;
- create a base device, (which you already did)
- add wifi and bluetooth(absolutely neccesary for any mobile device)
- make expansion hardware, that user can connect to the base hardware, (e.g camera & hdd; gamepad...etc)
- just like a PC the user will choose customizations that sue their needs.
- most important, the expansion hardware should NOT be a peripheral that has ridiculously long cables, it should fit snuggly to the device making it a little thicker than the base device.
- This mobile entertainment generation wants an all-in-one device. They want their cellphone, mp3 player, pda, digital camera(which takes good quality and sized pictures), video player to all fit in their pocket.
- That's why the ipod's hot, but that is why this is hotter, the user can get all those things and upload software to make it better it even better to their personalities.
If the hardware is made as customizable as the software, everyone will have one of these device, from the smallest child to a CEO of a corporation, because it can be made exactly to what the user wants. Market the expansion hardware, no-one will mind paying for the parts as they need them, but they will be very upset about not being able to do want they really want to do with it. No one will even think about looking at other devices. If the "regular joe/jill" has to buy a new part instead of a whole new device, which do you think he/she will choose?
Assorted Wifi power reduction tricks may be used to increase battery life.
WiMAX is targeting high-speed mobile data and telecommunications services. Hardware for portable usage based on the IEEE802.16e standard is now availabe and deployment around the world is being executed, heavily promoted by Intel Capital. For example, a Dutch initiative called WorldMAX has the exclusive license to use the 3.5GHz band in The Nethelands to offer "internet-in-your-pocket" services.
Near Field Communication support would enable many new applications for the Neo1973 such as a digital wallet or electronic keys. NFC is designed to work at very short ranges (0-20cm) and can be used to pair devices for longer range/higher bandwidth communications such as Bluetooth. In fact, the recently introduced Bluetooth 2.1 Core Specification includes NFC support.
Wishlist:Spell_weaving See also: http://pogue.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/03/27/the-multi-touch-screen/ (There is a link to a video demonstration)
With help of mouse and keyboard, TV out may be very useful. Or to watch Photos taken with a digital camera on Holidays. Or make a slide prentation
Providing 800x600 (SVGA) resolution will make using the web browser, and many other applications, as comfortable as using a desktop computer.
Hardware acceleration for video playback.
3D hardware acceleration for 3D games, GUIs, etc. (maybe a PowerVR MBX Lite ?).
Possiblity to use something like Eyeglass Mounted Display.
Or electronic paper display, EPD is used in many new devices such as the new Motorola motofone, sonys new e-reader and Irex's iliad. The technology provides thin, flexible, power saving screens using new eink technology. This technology could cut the weight of the phone and its power usage. For more info see: eink's website.
It would be nice to have (the option of) a transreflective display, which while being less bright, is readable without needing to power the backlight. Then again, it depends on how much power the backlight uses compared to everything else...
Game buttons would be best on both sides of the screen. The larger the buttons, the better. 2x 4 buttons in up-down-left-right configuration + some extra buttons separately a bit lower on the device would be good for many for emulation games.
Here is a concept drawing of a possible neo1973 gaming version:
(This has a 4-way direction pad, 8 way may be better for gaming)
Some of this functionality could also be obtained with More/Custom Input Method Widgets.
This enables the phone to sense where 'down' is - to enable various options.
An electronic thermometer might become handy for some users.
There are very small I2C devices available, that could easily integrate to the existing bus. For example this one from ti.
Fingerprint sensor gives easy and fast access to the phone, could lock the touchscreen etc. An example of this device can be found at Sony UX17.
As these are typically implemented with a small camera (256*4) focussed on the finger, with appropriate hardware and software, you can also use them as an optical mouse in reverse, detecting movement of the finger over the sensor.
A trackball would provide an efficient mouse-like interface in a very compact package. As exemplified in the newer Blackberry® models. Maybe instead an optical sensor as are used in mice could be used so that the whole phone can be moved over a surface just like a mouse. The same sensor might be usable as a barcode reader
How 'bout an analog joystick, gaming-console style, instead of a D-Pad or a trackball?
Or how 'bout a Rollermouse-like device? But do we need any of this, considering the touchscreen?
--Lemi4 19:03, 11 March 2007 (CET)
Wireless USB is the wireless version of USB offering data-rates up to 480 Mbit/s over short distances (<3 meter). Chipsets suitable for a phone are likely to take some time to be available.
I2C is an internal bus in the phone. This is a simple bus, with only 2-3 wires, hence ideal for making accessible to those making add-ons, as it is low powered, and can be daisy-chained. It would be a great candidate to bring out into the Expansion Back.
Readily available I2C chips range from temperature sensing, digital input/ouput chips, to 1-wire bridge chips (which is designed for external switches, ID, sensing, ...)
It'd be quite nice to be able to use the Phone as a Remote control. IRDA should be enough. Together with a barcode reader and those tv magazines that have barcodes VCRs could be programmed. not sure if those magazines still exist. Usable online TV guides exist, though.
GSM/GPRS is at best slow. Ideally supporting EDGE - which is an evolved form of GPRS, UTMS - which is widespread in europe, HDSPA (asia) and any other mobile standards would be nice. It is unlikely that all of these will be supported initially, but it is a goal. Until that goal is reached, it is likely that some phones will be brought out for various specific markets - europe, asia, US.
-- This is ALS (Alternate Line Service) and is a network feature which must be activated on your account. You should be able to get the GSM modem to send a USSD sequence to the network an achieve this. Newer, handsets/networks would support the Multiple Subscriber Profiles which handles it all better but you are right that it would need to be included in the UI. User:Eggsy
A nice feature would be a radio reciever: FM or even better: Digital Audio Broadcast (Digital Radio)
Adaptors to 2.5mm are of course available, but 3.5mm jacks are much more robust. One question would be are headsets available in 3.5mm.
Many PC-based media centers are being equiped with an RF (433 MHz) / X10-based remote control. The X10 protocol also faciliates home automation to control lamps, switches, etc. The advantages of using RF for control instead of Infra-red this that it also works when furniture, walls, or doors are blocking the path between RF remote and the equipment or device. Lirc supports X10-based RF remotes (but expects having an USB RF receiver attached to the media center).
Include a built in laser pointer. Everything is better with lasers.
Consider selling one device with absolutely no non-free components in it, even if that means dropping the GSM support. I believe having one such device available would be good, because then it could be recommended by organizations like the FSF which typically never recommends anything if it has even a little non-free code in it.