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27 years later and the Psion 3a is still wonderful (2020)

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Re: 27 years later and the Psion 3a is still wonderful (2020)

#11

Post by CrampusDestrus »

tobiasbischoff wrote: post #5

I will never understand why we do not have this kind of device anymore. A small computer, running linux, proper keyboard, integrated LTE - it would be a messaging and writing dream. Back in the days i developed custom software for the Revo, the SDK was a dream to work with as well.

Because it would be utterly useless for the 99.999% of the population.

And also because, like any dreams of that kind, it's better if it remains as such, you really do not want to see it shattered if anyone actually made such a device

Re: 27 years later and the Psion 3a is still wonderful (2020)

#12

Post by jbverschoor »

tobiasbischoff wrote: post #5

I will never understand why we do not have this kind of device anymore. A small computer, running linux, proper keyboard, integrated LTE - it would be a messaging and writing dream. Back in the days i developed custom software for the Revo, the SDK was a dream to work with as well.

I still have a Sharp Zaurus SL-5000D here. it's an awesome little machine, with a full keyboard.

Keyboard open: https://tldp.org/LDP/Mobile-Guide/html/mobile-guide-p3c2s8-z...

Wikipedia (keyboard closed): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sharp_Zaurus

Re: 27 years later and the Psion 3a is still wonderful (2020)

#13

Post by atdrummond »

bayindirh wrote: post #6
atdrummond wrote: post #2

I loved my Psions. I truly miss having a smaller form factor computer. If I could possibly an iPhone with an attached physical keyboard, I’m certain that I could do a huge amount of work that I presently do with my laptop. (I know I can get an external keyboard but there’s something far more useful and satisfying about a properly integrated device.)

The Era of the PDA was completely different and IMHO superior era to today's hyperconnected smartphones. Yes, today's iPhones and Android devices do much much more, but the devices of older days were much more polished, to the point and streamlined. iPhone is a great evolution of Palm hardware and design philosophy, but the gamification kills most applications, and oh, the notifications too. Glad that most of the use…

I completely agree. I’ve done quite a bit to get my phone experience to a useful level but it’s required a level of customization and careful use to create an experience that simply existed properly, out of the box, with the purposeful PDA operating systems of the 90s.

Re: 27 years later and the Psion 3a is still wonderful (2020)

#14

Post by baliex »

tobiasbischoff wrote: post #5

I will never understand why we do not have this kind of device anymore. A small computer, running linux, proper keyboard, integrated LTE - it would be a messaging and writing dream. Back in the days i developed custom software for the Revo, the SDK was a dream to work with as well.

I don't think it's too cynical to say that business models (i.e. targetted advertising) of the Psions of today just don't fit with this kind of device. I never owned one but I remember ogling them and their high prices (to a 10 year old) in the Argos catalogue. Looking back on them now, the joy seems to be in how they strike what seems to be the perfect balance of dis/connectedness.

Re: 27 years later and the Psion 3a is still wonderful (2020)

#15

Post by bayindirh »

ChuckNorris89 wrote: post #8
bayindirh wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A high quality screen is much cheaper to design and build than a high quality keyboard, that's why. Also half of the people buying these devices are buying for the show. This is why MacBooks are still called $2000 Facebook Machine sometimes.

You're wrong about Macbooks. They're $2000 Reddit machines now.

Thanks! Oh, looks like I'm old now. :c

Re: 27 years later and the Psion 3a is still wonderful (2020)

#16

Post by monkeydust »

jxf wrote: post #3

I've never had a Psion, but as I've become a dad, I've wished for devices for digital literacy that weren't tablets or phones. Something dumb with a dictionary, encyclopedia, calendar, an editor, and a few games, and physical keyboard is a great, safe introduction to the digital world.

100% this as father of 6 and 4 year old. I still remember fairly vividly when my dad, an engineer, can from work one day and showed me the 3a, blew his and my mind especially. Not many tech devices have done that since.

Re: 27 years later and the Psion 3a is still wonderful (2020)

#17

Post by citrin_ru »

tobiasbischoff wrote: post #5

I will never understand why we do not have this kind of device anymore. A small computer, running linux, proper keyboard, integrated LTE - it would be a messaging and writing dream. Back in the days i developed custom software for the Revo, the SDK was a dream to work with as well.

I would love to see a good device with good (physical) keyboard too but it would be a niche one which would make it too expensive (would not be able to benefit from economy of scale). 99% user need a mobile device to consume content and may be make/share photos - mass produce smartphone/tabled (without a keyboard) works well for this.

Re: 27 years later and the Psion 3a is still wonderful (2020)

#18

Post by msh »

tobiasbischoff wrote: post #5

I will never understand why we do not have this kind of device anymore. A small computer, running linux, proper keyboard, integrated LTE - it would be a messaging and writing dream. Back in the days i developed custom software for the Revo, the SDK was a dream to work with as well.

You can still have it. You can order one at https://store.planetcom.co.uk

Comes preinstalled with android, but you can load linux on them instead if you so wish.

Re: 27 years later and the Psion 3a is still wonderful (2020)

#19

Post by unwind »

I realized I had no idea what actual platform these were (I'm old enough to remember longing for one of these but never had one back in the day).

It's powered by the NEV V20 [1] processor, which is a 16-bit chip that is code and pin compatible with the more famous Intel 8088. The NEC chip was launched in March of 1984 which is interesting given that the Psion 3a came in 1991.

It feels like today launching a product based on a 7-year old CPU is more rare.

It would be cool (but perhaps sacrilegious) to upgrade the existing motherboard to some Arm SoC/microcontroller, if possible. I thought of it now while writing this, so clearly someone has already done so.

[1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NEC_V20

Re: 27 years later and the Psion 3a is still wonderful (2020)

#20

Post by gawrex »

jxf wrote: post #3

I've never had a Psion, but as I've become a dad, I've wished for devices for digital literacy that weren't tablets or phones. Something dumb with a dictionary, encyclopedia, calendar, an editor, and a few games, and physical keyboard is a great, safe introduction to the digital world.

You should check out uConsole [1] from ClockworkPI. It still has WiFi, but you can probably disable it.

[1] https://www.clockworkpi.com/product-page/uconsole-kit-rpi-cm...

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