My Perfect Mobile Device!

Perfect and Mobile is an Oxymoron!

First off as this is my rant, I want to define my frustration with mobile carriers:

• Early Termination Fees -  Why does a company feel that they need to hold me hostage to make sure I stay a customer?  Most companies do this with good products and customer service.
• Misleading Programs – The concept of unlimited data as long as you don’t go over a limit, somehow negates the term: Unlimited.
• Locked Down Devices – Devices that are restricted on what they can do, when the manufacturer has built these functionalities into the device.

I know I’m not alone in this, but these items are some of the reasons I am considering Cricket Mobile for my next venture into the mobile world.  From my research, they have no contracts and when they say unlimited, there is no limits.

My Device Philosophy

It’s a given that what may be perfect for me, is not going to be for someone else.  I have resolved that the term Smartphone is a misnomer.  These devices are really a pocket PC with phone capabilities.  The other thing that I have decided on is due to my dislike of mobile carriers and love of Voice Over IP.  So I am looking to have a multipurpose net-book.

Here is my thoughts on this matter:

1. An 8-10” Netbook.
2. Swivel Screen that will fold down over keyboard with screen up.
3. Capacitive Touch Screen.
4. Bluetooth
5. USB
6. WiFi

The Lenovo S10-3t seems to have much if not all of what I am looking for. A small device that is able to do VOIP, E-Book Reader and supports a Bluetooth headset.

Lenovo describes the device as:

Mini Tablet

Take notes, share and present on a mini laptop that converts to a tablet netbook. Multi-function tablet features a touch-sensitive panel and a durable steel hinge with a 180 degree rotation.

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The Final Piece

As with all things the final piece is software.  Getting calls on your computer is no big deal using Skype or Gizmo5.  The deal is to provide cell phone type functionality on the netbook.  I have experimented with this on my full size notebook.  What is needed is a way to be able to answer incoming calls using the Bluetooth headset, which is probably the easiest to do.  The big one is to be able to make calls via the headset.  This should be workable with Windows Voice Recognition and integration into Gizmo5 and Google Voice or Skype.

Final

Many have said that a Netbook is not very portable, but it will fit into a small bag, or maybe, I will bring back Fanny Packs .  Of course there is always a ScotteVest.

ScotteVest.Com

But for me this should not be a huge issue, as I don’t make that many calls when I am out, and let most of my calls go through Google Voice and let them get transcribed to voice mail.

If any one knows of any software that I should look at, I would appreciate hearing about it.  Im sure I am not the first person who has been down this path.