My ideal communications device
(AKA Jenn’s Communications Device Manifesto)
All the hype about Apple’s iPhone has me thinking about a device so cool and useful that I would do just about anything to own one. These are the features such a device would have:
Form factor
- The device would be about the size of an iPhone and weigh no more than 4oz.
Interface
- A high-definition screen, larger than 240×320 pixels — preferably 480×720 at 180dpi or higher. It would work in both portrait and landscape orientations.
- There would be on-screen virtual keys and also connect to a bluetooth keyboard.
- It would accept voice commands, including voice dialing.
- It would be capable of connecting to a bluetooth headset
- The video could be output into an external monitor (think airlines / desktops / tvs)
- The OS and Applications windowing API would allow for slick and reactive experience.
Memory and Storage
- There would be at least 2GB of RAM
- There would be at least 20GB of stateful storage (disk or solid state).
- There should also be a USB2.0 or Firewire port for external storage
- There should also be an API available to connect to WebFS or some other remote IP-based storage service.
Power
- The battery should be removable, with spares sold as accessories.
- Battery life should average 8-10 hours, regardless of voice or video use.
- There should be modular mains connectivity for worldwide AC options.
- There should be an option for Car, Boat and Plane DC power connectivity.
Multimedia
- There would be a camera with a resolution of at least 2MP. This would be used for taking photos or capturing video.
- It should be able to receive streaming video from files or broadcast
- It should be able to address my home media server(s) through a tethered sync or from any IP network
- there would be a stereo microphone.
- There would be sound input (line and mic) and output jacks (line and headphone).
- There would be a hardware OpenGL 3D render engine.
- There would be hardware H.264/MPEG 4 encoding and decoding. A FPGA/Media ASIC for future codec compatibility
Applications
Productivity
- Email should be compatible with IMAP(S), POP3(S) and Exchange over IP
- Calendar should sync over IP with Exchange, .Mac, Yahoo or Google calendars and also have the option to sync via tether to my local Outlook/iCal
- My address/phone book, notes and lists should also sync over IP and/or tether.
- I should be able to plug in a GPS USB key and tie location into meetings/events in my calendar
- There should be an option to perform the above securely (OpenSSL, MSFT VPN and Cisco VPN compatible)
- The geek in me also wishes an SSH client — because my productivity often relies upon a command line.
Internet
- There should be a full featured web browser with Javascript, Flash and a full Java Runtime Environment
- There should be freedom for developers to develop for the device platform, release open source applications or commercial applications as they desire
- There should be freedom for consumers to use open source or commercial applications upon the device as they desire
- There should be an open API that Internet software can utilize to plug into the camera, microphones, USB and A/V ports.
Voice Calling
- 100% Voice over IP.
- Roaming and Long Distance constraints and rules would not be tied to the device.
- The phone number or network address should be temporarily or permanently assignable to other IP-based devices
Video Calling/Conferencing/Receiving
- 100% Video over IP.
- Compatible with other IP-based video calling and conferencing standards as they are adopted
- Compatible (and addressable at no extra cost) with my IP Video Television services and subscriptions
Network Plan
- Membership/Subscription/Identification/Access Control should be performed and verified at the personal level rather than the device level. I should be able to replace my IP Communications device freely without pre-notifying the network operator and having to negotiate new device credentials.
- The communications device will never ever register itself on a cell/mobile operator’s voice network. Ideally, there will be no “Home Network” registration required and therefore no need to roam.
- The network service will actually be a network access aggregator who, through relationships with WiMax and WiFi network operators, will ensure that I have a near-seemless worldwide access experience at a flat rate price.
- There is no mandatory application or service feature bundling requirement from the network operator or aggregator. I am free to form application delivery relationships with anyone I wish, worldwide (including VOIP and Television).
- I am free to use any network-delivered applications or device-based features I wish without network owner/operator/aggregator interference.
Price
- The base device MSRP should be US$700.00 or less.
- The network subscription fee should be US$100.00/mo. or less.
- Alternately, network subscription fees could be subsidized by ads or traceable in-network affiliate-like purchase agreements or gifting by other services
- Application subscriptions should be US$20.00/mo. or less — or ad supported, or free.