31–40 of 289 posts
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 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 b…
> It feels like today launching a product based on a 7-year old CPU is more rare. Well. The Raspberry Pi Zero 2 has an ARM Cortex-A53 SoC. The Zero 2 was released in October 2021, and the A53 line in October 2012. I don't think you'd struggle to find other A53 devices being released after 2019. It almost feels like the A53 line is a bit of a special case, but then again, so was the 8088...
I imagine it's such a small niche that it's not worth spending time developing and adapting.
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 b…
It is a direct ancestor of EPOC, which in turn was later renamed to "Symbian", as made popular on many Nokia devices.
I dont know if a "new psion" would sell in sufficient numbers. It's a device I find myself wondering about (along with a chocolate-bar sized version of the iphone (Nokia 6300 size)). I'd buy one of those for sure, for when I'm not working and need a phone, but dont want the full "slab" to carry around with me.
My grandfather gave me his old one when I was a kid. To an 11-year-old, a spreadsheet, world clock, and address book gets old pretty fast :)
But the in-built OPL [1] language provided unlimited possibilities. You can see the icon for it in one of the screenshots.
I remember printing off a copy of the 300-page language manual I found online (breaking dad’s printer in the process). Now 20 years later and I have Psion/OPL to thank for my career.
[1] https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_Programming_Language
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.
I had a 3a and found it more convenient to use than the heavy/bulky laptops of the day. My use cases were diary management, expenses, task tracking/todo, and short emails (via the add-on modem/mobile phone cable). The message app also allowed you to send SMS. The batteries seemed to last forever and being a standard size were available everywhere. I dont know if a "new psion" would sell in sufficient numbers. It's a…
I remember connecting to the internet via IRDA to my nokia 6210 around 2000, it was an amazing glimpse of the future
Earlier quoted context omitted.
Would beg to differ. Many people would love to a e-ink display (no color needed). It is better on the eye, and saves battery, and you can read it in the sunlight. It is not good for watching video, but I'm sure I'm not the only who don't like watching moving pictures on small screens. Most ppl just want to read and send text.
But it's just not how most people work. If you want to do something useful a MacBook Air, Windows eqv, or even just a Chromebook is hugely more productive. The keyboard is full sized, the screen is bigger, it's fast enough for Office (etc) and browsing, it has more memory, and it's not all that much heavier. If you just want to read and send text, any phone will do. And it won't have the annoying slow update on e-ink…
I would basically murder for an Apollo 3+ powered device with rLCD running on AAA batteries (the apollo is very battery friendly) with a keyboard. So like a modern Psion.
Now I use the Nreal with my phone + a MS foldable keyboard as laptop; still beats carrying a backpack with a laptop + charger (phone goes for 15+ hours) and it's a productivity win focus wise. Still would want something as described above as a companion OR powering the glasses.