Looking to buy a Cybiko?

[jiffy007]

If you're looking to buy a Cybiko, I've got an offer for you. Buy one online using my "Secret Code" (basically a coupon code) to receive 10% off, plus a free MP3 player expansion card, and I will Paypal you $10! The reason I'm offering this is because I get $500 Cyberbucks for each person who buys a Cybiko online using my code - these are redeemable for Cybiko gear, accessories, etc. My Secret Code is: CA7000. Please e-mail me to confirm that you have purchased a Cybiko online, using my Secret Code, and once I've confirmed the purchase, I will Paypal you your $10! So basically you come out with the Cybiko and free MP3 player for $79.96 plus shipping (Regular price of $99.95 - 10% discount - my $10 PayPal). You save $20!!! Access the site here: Cybiko Secret Code

 

[Pretender]

In the hot deals forum this would be rejected as a referral...but here I guess it's ok


Oh well, those things look doofy to me anyway.

 

[Napalm381]

Go away, referral monkey.

 

[jiffy007]

Excuse me, but I don't think you need to be rude. Since this is a half-referral/half-incentive (since I'm putting up $10 of my own money) deal, I wasn't sure exactly where it would fit in. I figured the off-topic forum would be safe haven, but I guess not. I'm not offering it as a "Hot Deal" or "For Sale/Trade", it's simply for people who are already looking into purchasing a Cybiko (hence the title). My apologies to anyone who objects to this offer, but I don't see why I wouldn't be allowed to place it in the "Off-Topic" forum, if there is nowhere else on Anandtech to put it? And as it mutually benefits both the potential Cybiko buyer (they get $20 off a Cybiko they were going to buy anyways), as well as myself (I get $500 Cybucks), what detriment does it offer those to whom this does not apply?

 

[Dedpuhl]

referrals are bad...very bad

 

[Viper GTS]

WTF is that thing?

And WTF is it good for?

Viper GTS

 

[Pretender]

it's a pocket internet appliance thing I think. I've seen crummy ads for it...I'm guessing it's like a netpliance but for the masses of confused youth who need more expensive gadgets.

 

[jiffy007]

Viper-
It is supposed to be an all-in-one communications device, geared towards high school/college students, I think. It lets you play games, send e-mail, use wireless messaging, listen to MP3s, etc. I want to get one for my gf and myself, since we both have really busy schedules (always in class, lecture, etc.), and we're not always near a computer where we can access e-mail. Since she doesn't have a cell phone, communicating with each other gets hard sometimes, so I figured this would be a good way to do so (wireless messaging, no charge). Being in college also puts me on a tight budget, so the referral-incentive offer is about the only way I can afford two of them.

 

[Viper GTS]

Wireless messaging? Do they have to be within range of each other, or do they operate over the cellular networks?

If they could work across the US, that could have a use...



[EDIT]

Nope, doesn't look like it:

Frequency: 902-928 MHz
Number of channels: 30 digital channels
Communication Rate: 19200 bps each channel
Transmission and Receiving Range: 150 ft. indoors, 300 ft. outdoors (environment dependent)
Max. online Cybiko units: 3000 (100 units on each of 30 channels)

Looks like all they'd be useful for would be communicating with somebody in the same room/building.

Oh well.

Viper GTS

 

[jiffy007]

Dedpuhl, again, I didn't wish to offend anyone or get anyone riled up over this offer. This was directed towards individuals who were already potential Cybiko buyers, and I have specifically denoted the terms of the offer. They would use my Secret Code (yes, basically a referral code) to receive 10% off the Cybiko and a free MP3 player expansion card, for which I would pay an additional $10 out of my own pocket to receive $500 Cybucks redeemable for Cybiko accessories.

 

[Viper GTS]

jiffy007...

Have you looked over the specs? Unless I'm misunderstanding this thing, I don't think it would work for communication on a college campus. Too much distance would kill it.

Viper GTS

 

[Dedpuhl]

I hear what you are saying. It doesn't bother me one bit that u posted the info. The mods, however, don't want referrals in any section. It is just a part of their Terms of Service.....

 

[hzl eyed grl]

I saw one of these for the first time the other day. I was wondering what exactly it was for. I was looking for an inexpensive palm pilot to do my scheduling on. Do you have to subscribe to an ISP? Is it worth having?

 

[jiffy007]

Viper-
I've reviewed the specs, and was a bit skeptical of the device to begin with (it looks rather cheesy, and somewhat difficult to use), but a few of my friends have them, and have had no problems using it around our campus, and even use it to message friends in lecture halls from their off-campus apartments. (Mostly because they overslept and wanted them to grab an extra copy of the lecture notes, hehe) I'm not sure what the pure range of their network is, but it seems to be fine for my purposes. Thanks for the observation and tip! (Although, they may have modified it with a cellular expansion card. I'll have to check with them, now that I think about it!)

 

[Viper GTS]

I wonder if they use some relay system to extend their range, then. 900 MHz technology isn't much good for long distances.

But if each unit relayed the signal, I suppose you could increase your distance...

Or maybe I'm just smoking crack?

Viper GTS

 

[Champo41]

If the range is only 150 to 200 feet, why not just walk over and talk to them instead of messaging?

 

[jiffy007]

Viper-
Nope, you're correct. There is a definite limitation to the range of the standard Cybiko unit's wireless messaging capabilities. I'll have to check to see how they've modified their units to get the extended range. I'm pretty sure it's not an extended relay system, though - the darn thing doesn't seem like it's advanced enough to even handle that.

 

[hzl eyed grl]

I've got another question. This is an English/Spanish translater, scientific calculator, etc... Would it be better to get this than an ordinary palm pilot?

 

[jiffy007]

Hahaha, Champo! It would be, but then, that would be kind of disruptive in the middle of a lecture. Anyways, I'm hoping to modify my Cybiko so that I can have a greater range for transmission/reception.

Hzl, it really depends on what you'll be using the unit for. I have a Palm V that I got in payment from a company I did some Flash work for, and it's been really useful. I don't expect the Cybiko to be as convenient and easy to use, and it has some serious memory limitations (512kb!), but if you want the neat features and don't expect to have any heavy memory usage, I would say go for it. However, with Palm prices dropping, it's not too much cheaper than say a Palm IIIxe, so if you're going strictly for functionality, go with the Palm.

 

[hzl eyed grl]

Does anyone have an opinion as to which is better? Hmmmmmm? (Referring to my previous post.)

 

[Napalm381]

Hzl: Palm/Handspring/etc have the advantage of:
-Touch Screen
-Handwriting Recognition
-MUCH wider variety of software
-more memory
-more expansion options

Unless you really need to save the money, and really need the wireless messaging capability, go with a Palm, you'll end up much happier.

 

[BDawg]

How can you store mp3s in 512k???

 

[ArkAoss]

im game pm me

 

[hzl eyed grl]

Napalm, there is a version of a palm pilot on sale for $89. I'm not sure what all it does yet. I'm planning on going there tonight to compare the two. I just didn't know which would be better since I don't have a lot of money and I'll be putting it in layaway.

 

[jiffy007]

Hzl-
Again, if you're going for pure functionality, the Palm is the way to go. But if you're looking for a new gadget/toy, or something that has wireless messaging and other cool features, then the Cybiko is an interesting venture. (But it sounds like for you, the Palm is the better option)

BDawg-
The Cybiko's MP3 expansion card will allow up to storage of 1mb, so basically...1/3 of a poorly encoded song. They will be releasing cards in the future that will support up to 100mb of MP3 storage (waaaayyy in the future) at various intervals (so you can probably expect a 16mb, then 32mb, then 64mb card, etc. etc.). There's also a possibility that for the first few increments (releases), you may be able to trade in your earlier version card for an upgraded card. Still talking to them about that, so we'll see.