The Redfly Mobile Companion will solve the problem of thumb-typing by offering Window Mobile smartphone users a companion option which will also expand the smartphone's capabilities. Celio Corp will soon unveil the Redfly Mobile Companion, a laptop-shaped device that greatly extends the capabilities of some smartphones. This upcoming product can be used to give a Windows Mobile device a larger display, full keyboard, mouse, and USB ports.
Although at first glance this model will resemble an ultra-small laptop or Palm's canceled Foleo, the Mobile Companion will work completely differently. It will serve only as an accessory for a smartphone, and will not act as a stand-alone computer.
When Celio's device is connected to a Windows Mobile phone, either by Bluetooth or USB, any application on the smartphone is shown on the Mobile Companion's 8-inch display without modification or synchronization. The user will then be able to interact with that application through a large keyboard and trackpad or mouse.
This accessory will be 9 inches wide, 6 inches deep, and 1 inch thick. It will weigh 1.9 pounds.
It will be able to run for eight hours on a single charge, or some of its battery power can be transferred to a smartphone.
The Redfly Smartphone Interface System is compatible with Windows Mobile 5 Pocket PC and Smartphone editions as well as Windows Mobile 6 Professional and Standard Editions. It will available for other operating systems in the future.
The formal unveiling of the Redfly Mobile Companion will come at CES next week, so details remain sketchy. Still, the company says this device will go on sale in March for $500.
