Staying in Touch in Europe

Freshly back from some European travels - I am reminded that I had all the same old communication problems as always. In part these are due to visiting Family and Friends who all seem to have some verrry flaky equipment, (which they actually think is normal) but for the most part I am always having to resort to GSM to stay in touch.

I firmly hope that the kind of gadget that would suit my needs is going to be available sometime soon, some of the devices are getting close to it now.

I think it's probably this ...

Small form factor low cost laptop running Linux from a ram disk.
A good VOIP softphone (Bria or Eyebeam perhaps)
IM client (could be Meebo running in a browser)
Skype
USB or Bluetooth connected handset
Some kind of roaming WiFi agreement so there is no need to pay Airport prices (the b%$*#=s want 5 euros for half an hour in Schiphol !)
3G Data at a reasonable roaming rate if out of WiFi coverage and away from home network.

Maybe WiMax will come up trumps ? But at the moment I can't see this all coming together as simply as it should! Surely my needs are fairly typical, or am I that odd ?

Reply from tjardick on Nov 29, 2007 - 08:17 AM

Hi Gray,

Have you looked at the Nokia N8X series i got an N800 myself, although that is still on screen keyboard it does all the things you describe.

And as it is Linux base there is a very active developers community (http://www.maemo.org). The new N810 even has a slide out keyboard.

As for Bluetooth it has support for that, and can also use your GSM GRPS/EDGE/3G connection over bluetooth to connect online in area's where there is no wifi.

Do not it's not a GSM, it's an internet tablet.

Communications wise, it comes with both jabber, googletalk and SIP support build in and both Skype and Gizmo project have their own client for it now.

The n800 is getting much cheaper now the replacement n810 is comming, but if i'm not mistaken they both have same processor speed and the n800 will get the same new OS2008 in the next month (free upgrade ofcourse as all based on open source). So if tactile is ok for you then you can get next to the same features as the n810 when buying the n800 (as far as i have seen but some-one please correct me if i'm wrong).


Regards,

Tj

P.S. it comes with build in camera (for sip/gtalk video as well) and a earbud headset with microphone and pick-up button.

Reply from martyndavies on Nov 29, 2007 - 09:08 AM

I'm with you, the WiFi prices are too high in airports, and this is often true in European hotels too (using Europe in the "including UK" sense). I find that since mostly my working day gives me opportunities to go online with WiFi for free, there's little incentive to pay high prices for connectivity during other hours. When travelling back home it's all too easy to just leave online tasks for the 4 hours until I'm back home again. I think it's a lost opportunity for the WiFi companies too be honest: if the price was a quarter of what it is they would probably have ten times as many customers.

Of course with airports, by the time you've queued for 30 mins at security; taken off your belt, shoes, coat; repacked all your change, watch and electronics into your bag; unbagged and scanned your laptop; showed the man your little see-through bag of toiletries; and been told-off for having a laptop bag and a clothes bag, there's no time left to do anything but head for the gate anyway. But that's another story.

Reply from andyk on Dec 03, 2007 - 05:20 PM

"I think it's probably this ...

Small form factor low cost laptop running Linux from a ram disk."

Eee Pc, just over £200

You can run XP on it though

Reply from ianplain on Dec 03, 2007 - 07:14 PM

Hi

Ive been looking at one of these to replace my tosh libreto,
are they any good?


Ian

Reply from gray on Dec 03, 2007 - 07:39 PM

That looks absolutely brilliant - I just spent half an hour reading all the reviews and they all seem to confirm that it's not only good value but also well made and just 199 pounds if you shop around.

Does anyone know if there is a driver for a USB 3G Modem ? I can't see that info.

Reply from ianplain on Dec 03, 2007 - 08:26 PM

Well looking at http://oozie.fm.interia.pl/pro/huawei-e220/

it may well do so.

Make sure you get the 4G version as I have seen the 2G at about at about the same price.

I had a look at one in ToysRus of all places and it looks well built.

Ian

Reply from gray on Dec 04, 2007 - 11:39 PM

and after some research I found some useful info here ...

http://forum.eeeuser.com/

seems to confirm it should work.

Better have a word with Santa

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