3Com's Audrey Debuts

Posted By: Ed Wednesday, October 18, 2000 10:34:03 AM

After a month's delay, 3Com has finally released the Audrey, the first of its Ergo line of home appliances. The Audrey has an 8 inch, color touch screen, a wireless keyboard, uses a combination of the Palm and QNX Linux OSs and can also sync directly to Palm-based handhelds. It offers e-mail that can be typed, hand written, or voice recorded, a calendar that can be synced with up to two Palms, and access to selected Web sites, called Channels. It is available now for $500-$550 depending on the color directly from 3Com or from retailers.

Audrey features a built in V.90 56K modem and can be set to dial into the Internet several times per day to refresh its Internet channels and download new e-mail. Audrey is also adaptable to broadband connections.

By turning Audrey's channel selector knob, preferred Internet channels scroll across the bottom of the screen as if on a filmstrip. People can customize some of the basic channels to meet personal information needs such as local weather information or stock quotes. Users can also select six additional channels from a growing list of lifestyle-oriented Internet content and e-commerce providers. Credit card and shipping information can be kept securely on file. New channels will regularly become available as partners sign up with 3Com to offer specialized content.

Audrey is an embedded system so software can not be installed on it.

The Audrey also offers a serial port for your Palm cradle, 2 USB ports, built-in stereo speakers and microphone for voice e-mail and audio output for external speakers. It has 32 MB of RAM and 16 MB Flash memory.

Thanks to Edward Doan for bringing this to our attention.

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Price

I.M. Anonymous @ 10/18/2000 11:07:57 AM #

Just to be clear, 3Com charges $50 more if you prefer a different color than white. That must be a joke. A 10% price increase for a different color?

I can do this with an IPAQ for same price and better OS

I.M. Anonymous @ 10/18/2000 12:59:45 PM #

I think a combo of QNX and dated PALM OS, isn't best for a Web appliance. What kind of browser is it going to use? Surely, not IE.

Its kinda big and bulky.

A slim sexy, LCD Web Pad based on Transmeta's Crusoe would be nicer.

I've seen one.

Palm Support

I.M. Anonymous @ 10/18/2000 1:41:47 PM #

3Com touts this device as "sync(ing) directly to Palm-based handhelds", but they don't stress nearly often enough that it supports ONLY 2 Palm devices. So if you, your spouse, and kids have Palms, your out of luck. Also, only the calendar is synced. So you sync on the PC (to backup), then go downstairs and sync with the Audrey (calendar)?

The idea has some flaws.

A Palm Basestation

Ed @ 10/18/2000 4:24:27 PM #

I am pleased to see that there is some Palm support in the Audrey but I think 3Com would have been better off producing something that acted more as a Palm basestation. It is nice that you can back up your calendar but what about all your other files? If they could have added the ability to do a full HotSync, complete with file backup and AvantGo download, there probably would be more of a market for these things. One of the channels could be for Palm shareware.

As yet, a Palm really can't stand alone as your only computer. But a Palm with an Ergo basestation might be all that many people need for a home computer. Maybe they'll try this in some future version. Or maybe Palm Inc. should think about this.

---
Plenipotentiary
Palm Infocenter

RE: A Palm Basestation

I.M. Anonymous @ 10/18/2000 5:17:15 PM #

As I pointed out above, without providing full syncing, the calendar sync function of the Audrey is pointless. The purpose of sync is to backup all data. Anyone with a PC will not have any use for this product. I can see anyone's schedule on the Palm Desktop, but I could only sync two Palms with the Audrey. This is a major limitation of the product.

palm's future

Raishe_werk @ 10/18/2000 5:15:12 PM #

agreed with Ed. a first mistake that maybe palm/et al can capitalize on. a base station running transmeta gear with a web browser that sync'ed X number of palms would be phat. set it up for streaming video and sell for $200 (LAN, IR, USB cxns). i would be inline to get it. i guess we can only hope.

-Raishe
"Moster Pig kills Jesus
More at 11"

RE: palm's future

I.M. Anonymous @ 3/22/2001 1:47:00 PM #

Monster pig captured outside Kwikie mart in Phoenix. Film at 11.

Audrey - Ethernet?

Scott Fredrickson @ 10/19/2000 2:15:30 AM #

When are the manufacturers of these so-called Internet Applances going to get it right and ship their products with Ethernet ports? It's such a shame to make the DSL/cable modem/broadband users resort to using a 56k dialup connection...

RE: Audrey - Ethernet?

Ed @ 10/19/2000 8:15:09 AM #

They do offer a USB/Ethernet adapter but it's $60, and not available yet.

I can see why they left a real Ethernet port off on this first model; there aren't enough home broadband users to justify the cost, especially among the low end users likely to be buying an Internet appliance like this. If all you are going to do is e-mail and light Web surfing, broadband is overkill, especially at the outrageous prices being charged for it now.

---
Plenipotentiary
Palm Infocenter

Just a bad idea..

I.M. Anonymous @ 10/19/2000 2:55:27 AM #

I think if this device was set up to be a base station for the palm and back up all of Palms information as mentioned above as well as being able to surf the net and save channels which could be sent to the palm would be a very high plus and very compelling for people to buy.. I would actually see this as device that could limit a need to have a computer if the palm and int internet was all one may really need. But in my opinion the way it is set up now only being able to back up the calender is very, very limited and of little to no use. I would even accept this to only sync with 1 palm if it could do as mentioned above. But they way i see it now it is a nothing more then a glorified webTv console. I mean for 500 bucks... I could by a new but older model computer with monitor and all and do a 100 times more then this device... I just dont understand why all the internet appliences being sold goes no less then $500.00 It's almost like they are trying to create a market where one isn't needed.... They should try selling it for less then $200.00.. maybe that may motivate someone for this..