Wow....this is really a great accessory for WMPhone....no need to discard our WMPhone and same time have the advantage of a large screen and keyboard. See video to believe...an accessory well worth investing in.
http://forums.thoughtsmedia.com/showthread.php?t=88267
Full Version: WMPhone Companion - Celio Redfly
I have written an email to Celio to ask for the price and availability in Singapore. Hope it will be sold here 
See another video here
http://www.jkontherun.com/2008/03/jkontherun-vi-2.html
Really phenomenal accessory!....move aside eeePC...here comes Redfly+WMPhone
See another video here
http://www.jkontherun.com/2008/03/jkontherun-vi-2.html
Really phenomenal accessory!....move aside eeePC...here comes Redfly+WMPhone
Wow wow...I am totally blown away
The redfly can be connected to WMPhone with Bluetooth wirelessly, don't even need USB cable!!!!
The redfly can be connected to WMPhone with Bluetooth wirelessly, don't even need USB cable!!!!
Celio has replied to my email enquiry, saying that the Redfly is now in manufacturing stage, will be released for sale May/June 2008 period.
Looks interesting. bigger screen , keyboard, and mouse
just hope it is cheap
just hope it is cheap
Has anyone come across the Redfly being distributed locally yet? Not sure whether there are any plans to bring them into Singapore. It's already in-stock and available via mail-order from www.expansys.com.sg (HK) at S$655 before shipping. http://www.expansys.com.sg/p.aspx?i=164172ve
The reviews I've read so far have all been favourable. I'm really tempted and wished they would lower the price. BTW, this has got to be one of the most expensive accessory one can buy for their Windows Mobile phone. :)
Leave your name here if anyone is interested to pool purchase to save on shipping. Expansys is also offer some form of discount for orders of 5 or more. Cheers.
The reviews I've read so far have all been favourable. I'm really tempted and wished they would lower the price. BTW, this has got to be one of the most expensive accessory one can buy for their Windows Mobile phone. :)
Leave your name here if anyone is interested to pool purchase to save on shipping. Expansys is also offer some form of discount for orders of 5 or more. Cheers.
I just watched the video review of the Redfly by jkOnTheRun, that Symphony posted earlier, and boy, I'm psyched. I also just tested out Opera Mobile 9.5 beta on my HTC TyTN II and except for some bugs (notifications, IME), it's a solid browser with AJAX support! It's amazing to see Google Maps working correctly on my TyTN II but what it really needs is a large screen... like the Redfly!
I've gone ahead to place an order on Expansys. Those who are interested in sharing shipping cost better let me know soon while I can still change my order quantity. Currently, the order has not yet been processed due to an OQO battery that I ordered together with the Redfly, which is taking about 6 days to stock.
More Celio Redfly reviews:
PC World http://www.pcworld.com/article/145656/redf..._companion.html
jkOnTheRun http://www.jkontherun.com/2008/03/jk--first-impre.html
ZDNet http://blogs.zdnet.com/mobile-gadgeteer/?p=951
I've gone ahead to place an order on Expansys. Those who are interested in sharing shipping cost better let me know soon while I can still change my order quantity. Currently, the order has not yet been processed due to an OQO battery that I ordered together with the Redfly, which is taking about 6 days to stock.
More Celio Redfly reviews:
PC World http://www.pcworld.com/article/145656/redf..._companion.html
jkOnTheRun http://www.jkontherun.com/2008/03/jk--first-impre.html
ZDNet http://blogs.zdnet.com/mobile-gadgeteer/?p=951
Looked what FedEx dropped off today!!
Celio Redfly connected to HTC TyTN II via Bluetooth
Some quick impressions. The device is extremely easy to setup. I didn't even bother to load the drivers from the included CD and perform an ActiveSync. Instead, I used the OTA driver download from the Celio website (Note: 'enable advanced network functionality' under the USB to PC setting must be checked for the USB connection to work. This setting might be a problem for some PC firewalls). Bluetooth setup was unbelievable easy. Not the normal pairing process but a one step authorisation click using the Redfly setup program loaded by the driver onto the Windows Mobile. I prefer connecting using Bluetooth (not just because it's wireless) as the phone doesn't even 'wake up', and there's nothing display on the Windows Mobile screen, when you initiate a connection and during the entire session.
Access NetFront in full-screen 800x480 mode
First thing I fired up were the mobile browsers. I didn't bother with Pocket IE and tried NetFront and Opera Mobile instead. As you'd expect, it's very usable but as noted by the reviewers, page scrolling is slow. Not sure how much it's due to HTC's known video driver issues but my TyTN II was definitely struggling to keep up with 800x480 when it normally only needs to do 320x240 (5 times lesser the resolution). Opera Mobile 9.5 beta hit a 'Could not initialize DirectDraw' error at 800x480. Version 8 is suppose to work so, I hope Opera fixes this in their final 9.5 release.
Google Maps for Windows Mobile looked like Google Earth
Support for 800x480 is very application dependent. Google Maps and MapKing R12 worked but MemMaid complained that I didn't have the necessary VGA files. The Redfly is obviously not designed for entertainment. A couple of games I tried couldn't start up and TCPMP reported 'GAPI not supported on this device' (switching to GDI driver produced a slide show). Lexisgoo thought it was running on a 640x480 device. Applications observed Redfly as a Windows Mobile running in Landscape mode.
Using the Redfly reminds me of controlling a remote PC using a VNC session. It's slightly sluggish but acceptable. For the Redfly, the slowest is likely attributable to the Windows Mobile device and not a connection latency. It's easy to forget that you are on Windows Mobile due to the familiar Ulta-notebook size and Trackpad UI. I found myself double clicking on more than one occasion.
This device is going to disappoint people thinking they are going to get a ASUS Eee equivalent. Let's face it, this is ultimately Windows Mobile here, not XP or Linux. But because it's Windows Mobile and the Redfly has no processor or memory of it's own, I'm really looking forward to testing out the Redfly's 8hr battery life and using my HTC more than a glorified phone book. The ability to fire the Redfly up have a working connection to your 3G enabled Mobile Phone in under 10 secs is very cool.
Celio Redfly connected to HTC TyTN II via Bluetooth
Some quick impressions. The device is extremely easy to setup. I didn't even bother to load the drivers from the included CD and perform an ActiveSync. Instead, I used the OTA driver download from the Celio website (Note: 'enable advanced network functionality' under the USB to PC setting must be checked for the USB connection to work. This setting might be a problem for some PC firewalls). Bluetooth setup was unbelievable easy. Not the normal pairing process but a one step authorisation click using the Redfly setup program loaded by the driver onto the Windows Mobile. I prefer connecting using Bluetooth (not just because it's wireless) as the phone doesn't even 'wake up', and there's nothing display on the Windows Mobile screen, when you initiate a connection and during the entire session.
Access NetFront in full-screen 800x480 mode
First thing I fired up were the mobile browsers. I didn't bother with Pocket IE and tried NetFront and Opera Mobile instead. As you'd expect, it's very usable but as noted by the reviewers, page scrolling is slow. Not sure how much it's due to HTC's known video driver issues but my TyTN II was definitely struggling to keep up with 800x480 when it normally only needs to do 320x240 (5 times lesser the resolution). Opera Mobile 9.5 beta hit a 'Could not initialize DirectDraw' error at 800x480. Version 8 is suppose to work so, I hope Opera fixes this in their final 9.5 release.
Google Maps for Windows Mobile looked like Google Earth
Support for 800x480 is very application dependent. Google Maps and MapKing R12 worked but MemMaid complained that I didn't have the necessary VGA files. The Redfly is obviously not designed for entertainment. A couple of games I tried couldn't start up and TCPMP reported 'GAPI not supported on this device' (switching to GDI driver produced a slide show). Lexisgoo thought it was running on a 640x480 device. Applications observed Redfly as a Windows Mobile running in Landscape mode.
Using the Redfly reminds me of controlling a remote PC using a VNC session. It's slightly sluggish but acceptable. For the Redfly, the slowest is likely attributable to the Windows Mobile device and not a connection latency. It's easy to forget that you are on Windows Mobile due to the familiar Ulta-notebook size and Trackpad UI. I found myself double clicking on more than one occasion.
This device is going to disappoint people thinking they are going to get a ASUS Eee equivalent. Let's face it, this is ultimately Windows Mobile here, not XP or Linux. But because it's Windows Mobile and the Redfly has no processor or memory of it's own, I'm really looking forward to testing out the Redfly's 8hr battery life and using my HTC more than a glorified phone book. The ability to fire the Redfly up have a working connection to your 3G enabled Mobile Phone in under 10 secs is very cool.
nice stuff...
Seems really pointless to me. :( Rather go get one of thosse cheap ultralights then get this screen + keyboard accessory
Exciting device you have there!!!
I field tested the Redfly during breakfast at Holland Village. This time, I loaded up Opera Mobile 8.65 (ActiveX is disabled on Opera Mobile 9 beta) and while it doesn't have full AJAX support, it was a pretty good browser and could even handle NewsGator, my favourite RSS aggregator website.
The battery life of the Redfly is impressive. The Bluetooth connection to the Windows Mobile easily reconnected when I walked a distance with my phone to collect my drinks, while leaving the Redfly on the table. I had forgotten that it was wirelessly tethered to my phone. The battery drain on my HTC was also minimal, since the mobile phone's screen was off the entire time. Also, thanks to Spb Pocket Plus' taskbar battery indicator, I was able to keep an eye on the battery level of my phone easily.
An interesting moment came when I was surfing Asiaone and an SMS message popped up on my Redfly's screen. I hammered out a response and continued on with my business without so much as glancing at my phone (in my bag). Neat.
Accordingly to the Redfly's manual, you should be able to use a simultaneous Bluetooth to Redfly + Headset connection on your Windows Mobile device, but I didn't try that.
Those who are clueless on the benefits of an enlarged keyboard and screen for your smartphone will also not appreciate a device like the HTC Advantage. IT professionals probably would recognise the benefits of a mobile platform without the need to sync & secure the data. No s/w, patches and viruses to worry about too. Others folks would be better served with any of the cheap Netbook PCs, especially if data on the device is not important and they have an easy way to get online.
I'm getting more comfortable with the Redfly and will continue to test & use it more. For instance, I found myself reaching for my Redfly twice today to lookup something on eWallet instead of flipping open the tiny keyboard on my TyTN II. The Redfly is not going to replace my dual-booting XP Tablet/Vista OQO UMPC, but it does have its advantages. It's a very clever idea and I hope to see it able to tap onto more powerful Window Mobile devices in future.
Here are some size comparison photos of the Redfly with a HTC TyTN II, and an OQO UMPC.
The battery life of the Redfly is impressive. The Bluetooth connection to the Windows Mobile easily reconnected when I walked a distance with my phone to collect my drinks, while leaving the Redfly on the table. I had forgotten that it was wirelessly tethered to my phone. The battery drain on my HTC was also minimal, since the mobile phone's screen was off the entire time. Also, thanks to Spb Pocket Plus' taskbar battery indicator, I was able to keep an eye on the battery level of my phone easily.
An interesting moment came when I was surfing Asiaone and an SMS message popped up on my Redfly's screen. I hammered out a response and continued on with my business without so much as glancing at my phone (in my bag). Neat.
Accordingly to the Redfly's manual, you should be able to use a simultaneous Bluetooth to Redfly + Headset connection on your Windows Mobile device, but I didn't try that.
Those who are clueless on the benefits of an enlarged keyboard and screen for your smartphone will also not appreciate a device like the HTC Advantage. IT professionals probably would recognise the benefits of a mobile platform without the need to sync & secure the data. No s/w, patches and viruses to worry about too. Others folks would be better served with any of the cheap Netbook PCs, especially if data on the device is not important and they have an easy way to get online.
I'm getting more comfortable with the Redfly and will continue to test & use it more. For instance, I found myself reaching for my Redfly twice today to lookup something on eWallet instead of flipping open the tiny keyboard on my TyTN II. The Redfly is not going to replace my dual-booting XP Tablet/Vista OQO UMPC, but it does have its advantages. It's a very clever idea and I hope to see it able to tap onto more powerful Window Mobile devices in future.
Here are some size comparison photos of the Redfly with a HTC TyTN II, and an OQO UMPC.
Is it available on sales now in Singapore other than ordering from Expansys.com?
If it is being sold locally, I've not seen it. BTW, there was a great promotion last month whereby they dropped the price to USD$199. Too bad I'd bought mine before then. You can read more about the sale here. Cheers.
Folks, Expansys having a sale for the Redfly Celio at S$359. Good deal if you're looking to pick up one for your Windows Mobile Smartphone.
http://www.expansys.com.sg/p.aspx?i=164172&se=s1148
http://www.expansys.com.sg/p.aspx?i=164172&se=s1148
This is a "lo-fi" version of our main content. To view the full version with more information, formatting and images, please click here.