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3Com Introduced The Audrey focused on those who did not have a
need for a full blown computer. The Audrey supplied the user a
56k modem to retrieve email, surf the web, maintain a datebook and
synch palm pilots. Usb ports were provided for printing and an
ethernet connection.
The Audrey has a 7.1" color touchscreen, built-in
sound, serial port, two usb ports, and a built in modem.
It is based on 200 Mhz Geode processor, has 16MB of ROM, 32mb
of RAM. The Audrey utilizes the QNX operating system
(POSIX based as is Linux). The original version of
the user interface was locked down in terms of access to
the interals. Hacks to this shell as well as the
introduction of many new shells has opened the Audrey to true
extensibility/hackabiltiy.
I came across the Audrey while looking for a small lcd
touchscreen for my home automation system. Most of the
interface for my home automation is done via a web
interface which keeps the software overhead on the Audrey low.
The web server also runs scripts on the Audreys remotely to
flash the lights when email comes, force sound announcements
for events (such as the completion of a dryer cycle or priority
messages) and anouncing callers (using the caller id software) to
name a few features.
The Audrey is for the technical and non technical alike.
They are perfect for the mother or grandmother that does not
need a full blown computer as these units offer all of the
functionality needed in these applications.
The value is incredible for the amount of functionality provided
at these prices!!
Enjoy your Audrey!!!!!
Here are some official specifications of
Audrey:
(Note that some of the
offers/functionality is out of date)
| Product Overview:
|
Busy families can
always use help with organization, communication, and
convenient access to the Internet for news, weather, shopping,
and Web surfing. Enter the 3Com Ergo Audrey ($500 street),
3Com's new eye-catching Internet appliance. The Audrey
connects to most ISPs (but not AOL) through an analog phone
line or a broadband connection -- a breakthrough for an
Internet appliance -- so you can use your existing ISP or
broadband connection. Audrey supports a single ISP for an
e-mail account and Internet access. You can synchronize the
Audrey's PIM with two Palm PDAs running Palm OS 1.0 and
higher. Printing is optional with compatible Canon USB
printers (BJC-85, BJC-85W, and BJC-2100). After a few days of
use, you might wonder how your family managed without the
Audrey.
the Audrey is designed to coordinate with home
décor in high-traffic locations, such as a kitchen or family
room. It measures 9 by 11.8 by 3 inches (HWD), weighs 4.1
pounds, and can be used either in an upright position or when
laid flat. The Audrey's 7.6-inch diagonal, 640- by 480-dpi VGA
resolution, 12-bit color touch-screen is legible from a
distance of several feet, with a side viewing angle of about
45 degrees. A 5-inch translucent stylus mounts prominently in
a top-panel slot and flashes bright green along with the
e-mail button when a message is received or to signal an
appointment recorded in the PIM. The infrared keyboard has
reasonably ample 17-mm key spacing (versus 19-mm on desktop
keyboards), but at 9.6 ounces (including two double-A
batteries) it is so light that it bounces a bit if you have a
heavy typing hand. The keyboard isn't immersible, but it can
be cleaned with window cleaner and a damp
cloth.
Internet appliances don't compete with regular
PCs, but for the record, the Audrey's innards include a
200-MHz Geode GX1 processor, 16MB of ROM, 32MB of RAM (1MB
reserved for e-mail), and an upgradable version of the QNX
2000 operating system with HotSync capability. There are two
stereo speakers on the top panel, an external speaker jack, a
microphone, and a 56K v.90 modem. On the back, Attaching
cables was tough with the shield on-so take it off during
setup.
ISP setup via the Audrey wizard is quick with
either a phone line or broadband connection. For a broadband
connection, you need an Ethernet cable and a 3Com USB Ethernet
adapter ($60 street); other USB Ethernet adapters are not
supported. The Audrey can't function as a client on your home
network, but you can enjoy faster response with a broadband
connection than with a telephone modem
connection.
In addition to the touch screen, the
user interface includes six icon-labeled buttons that launch
applications and an Internet Channels dial, all positioned
around the display. Screen navigation is smooth with the aid
of large on-screen action buttons, horizontal and vertical
scroll bars, and menu lists. The Audrey's applications are
family-friendly, including a clipboard feature for
transferring information between applications.
From the
Date Book you can check your appointments and a zip-code
weather forecast. Multiple calendars have color-coded views,
with an option to view a consolidated household schedule. You
can either type or "scribble" (hand write) Date Book entries,
but Address Book entries require keyboard use. The Audrey's
Address Book conveniently integrates with its Date Book,
Browser, and Mail applications.
You can access the
Internet via the browser.
We tested the Audrey with an
Excite@Home cable modem connection through our home network
and with a telephone line connection to EarthLink, with
reliable Internet access using both methods and fantastic
performance with the broadband connection. Internet browsing,
PIM synchronization with a Palm III, and two-way e-mail in
typed, handwritten (sent as JPEG attachments), and audio (WAV
files, up to 3 minutes in length) formats worked without
errors. We hit the Audrey's 400K-per-message limit when
retrieving e-mail with large digital image files attached,
requiring us to go to our PC to retrieve long
messages.
Audrey accessories, with pricing to be
announced on the product's Web site, will include a wall
mount, extra styli, a travel case, Palm serial cradles, and a
USB Ethernet adapter. AT&T WorldNet Service is available
at a $5 per month discount to Audrey users. After the first 90
days of free technical support, phone support is available at
$2.50 per minute.
There were good reasons to hold off
from purchasing earlier Internet appliances, because of
limited browsers and the need to setup yet another ISP and
e-mail account. The 3Com Audrey has succeeded in changing our
attitude on Internet appliances from wait-and-see to
buy-the-Audrey-now.
From the Date Book you can
check your appointments and a zip-code weather forecast.
Multiple calendars have color-coded views, with an option to
view a consolidated household schedule. You can either type or
"scribble" (hand write) Date Book entries, but Address Book
entries require keyboard use. The Audrey's Address Book
conveniently integrates with its Date Book, Browser, and Mail
applications.
You can access the Internet via the
browser or use the Channels dial to choose from a range of
selected Web sites formatted for the Audrey by 3Com partners,
including ABC News, AccuWeather, CBS MarketWatch, and ESPN.
Channels are updated automatically, according to a schedule
you determine; the OS and browser are also updated during
channel updates.
The browser handles frames, JavaScript
(but not Java), Macromedia Flash, JPEG, GIF, and RealAudio --
and a future version will add MP3 capability. There are two
cool, unique features: a button to add URLs to your Address
Book for attaching to e-mail and a snapshot function for
grabbing portions of Web pages for storage in your Address
Book or for immediate e-mail attachment.
We tested the
Audrey with an Excite@Home cable modem connection through our
home network and with a telephone line connection to
EarthLink, with reliable Internet access using both methods
and fantastic performance with the broadband connection.
Internet browsing, PIM synchronization with a Palm III, and
two-way e-mail in typed, handwritten (sent as JPEG
attachments), and audio (WAV files, up to 3 minutes in length)
formats worked without errors. We hit the Audrey's
400K-per-message limit when retrieving e-mail with large
digital image files attached, requiring us to go to our PC to
retrieve long messages.
Audrey accessories, with
pricing to be announced on the product's Web site, will
include a wall mount, extra styli, a travel case, Palm serial
cradles, and a USB Ethernet adapter. AT&T WorldNet Service
is available at a $5 per month discount to Audrey users. After
the first 90 days of free technical support, phone support is
available at $2.50 per minute.
There were good reasons
to hold off from purchasing earlier Internet appliances,
because of limited browsers and the need to setup yet another
ISP and e-mail account. The 3Com Audrey has succeeded in
changing our attitude on Internet appliances from wait-and-see
to buy-the-Audrey-now. |
|
Can send e-mail to
groups or lists -Yes
Dimensions (HWD) 9" x 11.8" x 3"
Display size (diagonal) 7.6 in.
Display type Touch
screen
E-mail attachments user can send WAV, GIF
E-mail attachments user can view WAV, GIF, JPEG
E-mail
notification via LED Yes
E-mail storage space allotment 1
MB
Number of e-mail accounts 1
Number of RJ-11 jacks 2
Printer compatibility Canon USB printers
User can keep
own ISP Yes
Infrared keyboard Yes
Supports broadband
Yes
Syncs with Palm Yes |
Benefits:
|
Synchronize up to two
Palm Pilots
Great for use as a date book and
calendar
Great for use as an address
book
Includes touch screen functionality plus wireless
keypad
Surf the web
Email your friends and
family |
Restrictions:
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Channel functions
will not be operational
Audrey does not work with
content providers such as AOL, Netzero, etc.
Email does
not allow attachments to be sent or opened
Java
applications will not work
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