January 6th, 2009
CES2009: REDFLY PC software coming soon, concept demos of dock and Android driver shown
My new REDFLY C8N arrived today and I was also pleased to get some news about some of the things that Celio Corp is showing off at CES 2009 in Vegas. Celio Corp unveiled their new PC software that lets you use your Windows Mobile device with your Windows PC just like if you had the REDFLY hardware. They also are showing off two proof-of-concept ideas that include a Smartphone Dock and Google Android drivers for the REDFLY. Keep in mind these are ideas under development and Celio Corp is just showing off how their driver concept can be applied to other applications.
It seems that notebook owners have been asking about using their existing computers to connect to their Windows Mobile device for email, document creation/editing and surfing on a larger display, but didn’t want to carry around another device like the REDFLY. Celio Corp will be making the PC software/driver available in March 2009 for a fee (not yet determined). The REDFLY PC software will allow Windows XP and Vista owners to have full screen access to their Windows Mobile device up to a resolution of 1024×768. There are other types of clients that let you connect your Windows Mobile device in this manner, but if Celio can make it as simple, easy, and functional on a PC as they have on a REDFLY then this software should be a very compelling solution.
One of the proof-of-concept demos they are giving at CES is for the REDFLY Smartphone Dock and this is something I could see really being quite functional at airport, hotel, or other public kiosks. The REDFLY Smartphone Dock concept device is a box with VGA port, USB ports, Bluetooth radio, and power supply. You could connect to this type of device that could be plugged into a dedicated large keyboard and monitor or take it on the road to use for giving presentations from a Windows Mobile device. I think the airport or other public place would be perfect for plugging in your Windows Mobile phone to write a quick email on a large keyboard or check your email and then leave without ever worrying about leaving behind any private information.
The second proof-of-concept demo is a possible driver for the Google Android platform. Check out the video below to see this driver being demonstrated by Celio Corp.
I can’t wait to use my new C8N more and more with my Windows Mobile device and am still holding out hope for continued expansion of driver support for the iPhone, Google Android, and S60. Depending on what Palm announces in a couple days maybe we will even see a Nova OS driver in the future.
Matthew Miller is an avid mobile device enthusiast who works during the day as a professional naval architect in Seattle. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.
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