Comments on: OQO Rumors

By: marketingman

marketingman — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 04:14:44 +0000

When I first heard about the OQO the marketing said something like pocket laptop but when I tried to use the keyboard it was a joke. To me it is a fancy toy. I do want a mini-laptop as that would be a lot more useful than the OQO.

By: Al

Al — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 21:01:30 +0000

Yes but only 8-15k people agree with the current OQO computer so the market for the mini laptop which is not what you want is huge in comparison. The market for a thumb PC is shrinking as well as the margins as the M1 and others are all the same basic size and run full Windows at half the price.

If they do not use their more powerful PC internals in a longer size version so that a touch type keyboard is integrated they will go bankrupt and have the same fate as FlipStart, gone forever. That is the reality, they have 8 years to try to sell the same thing. If they got more money to go for a ninth time the result will be the same, weak sales, no profits = bankrupt and out of business.

By: Al

Al — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 17:08:30 +0000

Ssagg,

There is NOT ONE touch type full PC computer available that will fit in a jacket pocket. There are however other computers like the OQO that are thumb input full PC’s such as the M1, Sharp D4, Wibrain, and others have just been announced.

Thus to me your OQO is facing tough competition as those other computers are about half the price. I still feel that that size/shape has an overall smaller market just becuase most people would not find a thumb input computer that is going to run full Windows programs what they would desire especially as most only want one primary computer and are not computer hobbyists whom own several computers.

That to me does not provide any likely scenario for a company like OQO to have a good business model to make money especially if they now need to get funds or another buyer whom will want to make money for their investment NOT be content with a small and likely shrinking market. Sure you can diss the other competitors as the OQO has better features etc. but a more powerful PC limited to thumb input is just not going to get customers to buy it.

If there was an OQO model as I suggested with a touch type keyboard and is jacket pocket in size using the exact same internals as the current OQO that would be enough of a value to warrant people to buy them at the current OQO prices as it then could be their only PC for the people whom value mobility.

By: ssagg

ssagg — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 23:50:34 +0000

Al
My opinion is that if someone want a touchtype PC there are a lot o options (some almost pocketable some not) but if someone wants a trully pocketable PC there’s only the Oqo so why to look at it if size isn’t your main request? I would’t mind Oqo to build an alternative model but this would probably mean the end of the current model and it’s succesors and that would be a crime.
BTW I use the 02 as my primary computer (I still have a Desktop in my office to use autocad because while it runs fine in the Oqo I prefer that PC because it’s higer resolution)

By: Al

Al — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 23:01:10 +0000

ssagg, and other current OQO owners I know you are likely to prefer the current size/shape being a small thumb based full PC computer but less than 15k a year are sold so not many people share that view. I personally would like to see them add a larger version as I described that has touch type keyboad input and still is jacket pocket in size but as a second model so the few that still want thumb based PC’s can still have their computer but they both would share the same guts basically.

By having the larger size and shape millions of users could use it as a complete stand a lone computer without needing to own another computer. I bet that not many OQO owners only have that as their sole computer?

By: Sokonomi

Sokonomi — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 11:22:17 +0000

That resolution is the main thing that made me shun the whole OQO line. Nice formfactor and all, but that screen is so… 5 years ago.

By: Anpu

Anpu — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 10:25:44 +0000

So expensive, and only 800×480… :/

By: Sokonomi

Sokonomi — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 10:18:44 +0000

Well the price certainly fits apple. :’)

By: Vakeros

Vakeros — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 07:21:21 +0000

The Vaio P isn’t anywhere near what Al is suggesting. The P is an overgrown monstrosity. I do agree that the OQO is its own shape/size. But it is too expensive! If the parts are the same on an Aigo, then where is the extra expense coming from?

By: tmarks11

tmarks11 — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 03:29:40 +0000

I disagree. Not everyone wants a mini-laptop for a UMPC.

I prefer the slate design of the OQO. It would be unfortunat if they don’t stay afloat, since right now the OQO 2+ is about the only serious competitor for my $$$ as a replacement when my decrepit Everun dies.

By: ssagg

ssagg — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 00:56:38 +0000

Al
I totally disagee with you.
I love my Oqo ESPECIALLY by it’s form factor
It’s the ONLY ONE this size. If it changes It would be another concept. If someone doesn’t want this Form Factor then he shouldn’t be looking at an OQO (he should try a P or something like that, Why to look at something wich main goal is to be really, really small)

By: mike

mike — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 21:51:09 +0000

i hope oqo busniess better after year. me not want to see out of busniess i like oqo 02 i have it use everyday nonemiss day but RMA too long almost 3 repair wait long . i hope they do batter

By: elbowspeak

elbowspeak — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 20:53:22 +0000

Not executive, former apple employees…

By: Al

Al — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 18:55:26 +0000

They have good technology but I predicted that if they do not change the form factor so that it provides reasonable touch type input they will go bankrupt which looks like a real possibility?

If they used the size and shape of the HP Jornada 720 series handhelds as an example that would provide about 35% more increased volume than their current size and it would have a touch type keyboard. That size would still be small enough to fit in a jacket pocket but the longer size with touch type keyboard would attract many more business users. I would buy one if they changed it that way and would consider it a value as it would then be able to be a true laptop replacement for millions.

BUT when you look at the OQO now with a thumb input that is a HUGE negative aspect regarless of price. I know die hard OQO users love the pocket size and would hate to see a larger version but I feel that is the only way that they could be profitable. It would be great if they could add a touch type keyboard version as a second model to keep everyone happy but as a small company maybe that is not possible?

My prediction is still the same, they need to either add a second model or change their current model so it is a touch type keyboard size and shape like a HP Jornada 720 series or Psion 5mx size device or they will go bankrupt if not this year very soon.

By: scoobie

scoobie — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 18:07:03 +0000

I’ve always thought it would be the returns that would sink them.
Gottabemobile is now reporting, 2nd hand, that a director has said “times are tough”
Pity, the 02+ looks a good product and hopefully would keep them afloat for another year, but where is the funding going to come from for the 03?