The Dragonfly Futurefon

[klapse]

Seen this yet?

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-dragonfly-futurefon--3

Scroll down the page to see how it folds into a 4-layer thick slab.

Not sure what they expected to achieve with their $10000 goal. Not sure how seriously to take them. There are still slots left to get the android version for $300.

 

[sebt3]

size = Fail

OS = Fail

Do NOT want

 

[gunrock]

IMO, and I'd love to be wrong, but looks like another Gizmondo scenario. Part working prototypes made by a professional swindler. This Jeff Batio person looks like a more successful Craig.

 

[elwing]

lol, do people really hope to get something so complicated mechanically that won't be a piece of junk or simply inexistant for that price?

 

[ElPoco]

Good thing ED didn't choose the "Dragonfly" name for the Pyra.

 

[ThinkPad]

Piece of fucking usless garbage.

My favorite part is the anoyng "techie" chick with the glasses which is "VP of a Social Media"  :lol:   :lol:   :lol:   :lol:

Boy, sombody should shoot her in the face with a fucking shotgun.

 

[EvilDragon]

Heh, our internal development name still IS DragonFly )

Well, the idea is neat... but... heck, 2 7" displays?

So the minimum size folded is 7"?

That's way too big for a phone...

 

[Nintendo]

Sh*t


Not practical.

 

[rygD]

I still prefer something like the DragonBox Pyra, which will also have an odd pictographic ambigram logo.  Interesting idea, and if it is in any way I would like to see what it leads to.

So the minimum size folded is 7"?
That's way too big for a phone...

Yes, and you make computers (which you actually market as a computer...sorta) that are smaller than this.  Did you see the picture of how it would look when used for a call?  There is no way that is fitting into a standard pocket.

I generally try to avoid being a naysayer with things like this, but I am pretty sure most comments in this thread have it right.  NAY!

 

[Nintendo]

 

[edgex004]

Honestly I was thinking a few months back that something like this would be great, but it would need to be well made (way more expensive), smaller, and have to fold to a usable phone. If I have to detach/reattach my phone from/to my laptop, that is not much better than just carrying both with me.

 

[rygD]

If I have to detach/reattach my phone from/to my laptop, that is not much better than just carrying both with me.

2 devices is 1 too many.

 

[edgex004]

If I have to detach/reattach my phone from/to my laptop, that is not much better than just carrying both with me.

2 devices is 1 too many.

That is why my pyra will be my netbook, my gamestation, and my phone.

 

[comradekingu]

Ive seen that before, it flopped when it was just a laptop. Now that it is supposedly a phone too its a lot more popular. That is something to take note of at least.

The slide out trackpad strikes me as something that only works in CGI-renderings.

I liked the logo, but it doesnt align right.

 

[rygD]

If I have to detach/reattach my phone from/to my laptop, that is not much better than just carrying both with me.

2 devices is 1 too many.

That is why my pyra will be my netbook, my gamestation, and my phone.

My reason for that comment is that the Futurefon indiegogo said 3 is 2 too many, but Pyra will be those for me as well.  Maybe.  The fone part may depend on other factors.

I liked the logo, but it doesnt align right.

I don't like it. 

 

[klapse]

Well there are several things I like about this:

• The folded unit is smaller than a psion netbook, which I used to carry around with me in a bag, yet the keyboard is full size, which is actually a pretty big factor for working productively. No, make that a huge factor.
• Then there are the dual screens, which is a bit awkward if you are used to having everything centered, but it gives an actually generous amount of screen real estate for working with two windows at once (for example editing a program in one window, compiling in another).
• If you get a call while working on the unit, I expect it should be possible to use it as a speakerphone without picking up the phablet.
• The Win/Android option is priced realistically, but the Android only version is a steal, and it should be fairly easy to get a linux running in userspace.

Now off the top of my head, what I don`t like:

• No ports. I don't see even a MicroUSB port anywhere, or a headphone jack. They say "the base can operate via WiFi or Ethernet"- ok but how?
• No mention of SOC specifics, other than the Slingshot will run the "fastest" phone CPU and the base will run an X86 CPU. Really? Can they get them in low quantities?
• Can they develop software to make two different CPU classes share a desktop?
• No mention of display specifics: Where are they going to source 1920x1080 landscape displays? Given that Pyra needs a rotator chip, how are these guys going to solve the landscape problem?
• Nothing on the project page gives me the impression that the company has the experience and developers needed to bring their idea to the production stage, not to mention market and distribute it effectively.
• The sums raised on the project page are, in my estimation, not enough to develop the product, forget about production and delivering units to preorderers.
• The breathless tone of the sales pitch. They managed to convince a lot of backers, but exclamation marks don't sell me.

In stark contrast to this, I believe EvilDragon is able to do what he says he will do. He has pulled it off before.  That makes all the difference and is why I am not throwing my money at the Dragonfly.

 

[Mr_Loon]

@ Klapse, pretty much what you said

+

Looking at the official website of the project creator fills me with even more scepticism. 

 

[rygD]

In stark contrast to this, I believe EvilDragon is able to do what he says he will do. He has pulled it off before.  That makes all the difference and is why I am not throwing my money at the Dragonfly.

But, but: "Our founder, Jeff Batio, has been working in the industry for years to make his vision of logic and innovation a reality."

And check out his site to see all of the stuff he has done.

Edit:  It seems Mr_Loon beat me to it, with less sarcasm.

 

[EvilDragon]

Well, he DID a very similar project before as well...

http://www.xentex.com/


And surrendered.

 

[Wrath Of Khan]

The screen is dicided by a line of plastic on that Xentex device. Surely one would not want that; a true flexible and foldable screen is needed. Such things are being worked on but are not available atm.