Questions/comments: >=20 > 1. Sufficient battery life. 2hrs is not even close to=20 > sufficient. Try more like 8hrs MINIMUM. 8 hours of continuous use? If so, is it disk or peripheral (wifi) intensive? Also, can you show me an existing laptop with this type of runtime? > 2. SVGA or better resolution HMD. Perhaps a head tracker to pan a=20 > larger desktop. It also needs to be light like the Poma's monacle or=20 > something from Micro Optical. I know this is the most expensive=20 > feature, but QVGA just won't cut it for the average consumer.=20 First off, we are definitely not talking about the average consumer here = - they buy PDA's and laptops. SVGA at this stage is costly and may be too much resolution for a mobile platform. A stationary wearable can accommodate 8x6. Using this = resolution in a mobile environment is difficult. There is too much data. As for a head tracker - seems to be a costly option (tack on another = $1K) for something that could be accomplished with a mouse. What about a hand held unit? 6" or 8"?=20 What about a cholesteric display? Lower resolution, slow refresh but = draws no power once it is refreshed. Excellent for text based OS's like Linux. > 3. X86 compatible processor. I want to be able to choose my OS and=20 > install it. Perhps an SBC based system like the DIMM-520 or=20 > the 586CORE boards or even the Gumstix board. > 4. User Expandable RAM and storage. Agreed. This should be able to be easily configured as well. Today you = may need 256MB of RAM and 40GB storage for in-field documentation, while tomorrow you may only need 64MB of RAM and 128MB of Storage. This will allow to trim back your system in order to get more run time. > 5. Options for fully-functional, open OS's. (Such as BSD or Linux=20 > variants) with a compiler and a tiny X server. > 6. A pointing device that is out of the way, such as a ring-sized=20 > trackball. (The rocket pointing device on the MAIV really=20 > sucks.)=20 Why not rely on the command line only? Point and click is not very efficient in a desktop environment leave alone a wearable/mobile environment. > 7. An affordable wrist mounted or thumb-use keyboard.=20 > No one wants to learn the twiddler. Really. The Twiddler is fine = for=20 > die-hard geeks, but not for the masses. Try the WristPC Keyboard. > 8. Wireless networking (802.11B/G and bluetooth) What about Mesh network compatibility? =20 > 9. Mounted camera option with a photo-based PIM or other memory=20 > enhancement software. (Perhaps coupled with a GPS?) Should be an add-on product. I don't think a wearable system needs the continual power draw or the bulk of a camera if it is not used all of = the time. > 10. Voice I/O through an in-ear speaker/mic. Even if it's really=20 > basic.(Like simple modulator out and all custom training in)=20 So don't forget the sound card/chip on the mother board! > 11. Cell phone expansion capability. (Perhaps a partnership with=20 > T-Mobile or Nextel?) Through Bluetooth you should just be able to load up a DUN profile and = log into the net or Headphone profile and talk to your phone. > 12. Car charger. (It would be especially nice to make the=20 > whole unit run on 12v under 500mA...) Radio Shack can supply these right now. > 13. USB, CF, and SD card expansion. Size, size, size. While I totally agree with you on ports - the more you add, the bigger the unit will get. > 14. Bluetooth PAN software (Auto business card or personal info=20 > exchange, file sharing, etc.) Should come with your Bluetooth module. Check out http://www.tekgear.com/category.cfm?category=3DBluetooth for some great Bluetooth products that already come with this feature. > The keys are usability, affordability, and expandability in=20 > that order for me.=20 As a vendor, our "holy trinity" is: Quantity, Quality and Price. The Customer gets to pick 2 and we will pick the last. If you want the PC listed above (Quality) and wanted one unit (Quantity) we would respond = with a high price due to all of the development costs associated with this = unit. If you want one unit and only wanted to spend in the area of $1,000 to $1,500 we'd offer you a PocketPC or TechSol Medallion. There is a balance that must occur between customer requirements and = market capabilities. When this balance occurs, a sale is made. =20 Your listing of the "dream system" is a great way to flesh out what is = neat to have, nice to have, and must have. The next step should be to put a product beside every one of your features to see what is possible with = off the shelf products. It proves viability. Then, add up the costs. Over time the list will change as new products become available and the price will change - hopefully to a level where the Price:performace ratio is = in line with your expectations. -Tony -- Subscription/unsubscription/info requests: send e-mail with subject of "subscribe", "unsubscribe", or "info" toWear-Hard Mailing List Archive (searchable): http://wearables.blu.org Please, *PLEASE* don't subscribe through a forward/expander/false domain
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