Yesterday I put up a quickie about a post in The Positive Technology Journal regarding a wearable Linux computer targeted at the healthcare market. I took a look last night at the Web page describing this new toy, the Zypad WL 1000 from Parvus Corporation. I have mixed feelings about it - I love new gadgets as much as anyone, am enjoying learning to hack Linux, but feel like this may be a bit ahead of its time, at least in the healthcare market.
Zypad WL 1000 Specs:
| PRODUCT FEATURES | ||
| Operating System: |  |
Standard platform supports Windows CE 5.0 or LINUX based on Kernel 2.6 |
| Display: | |
3.5" TFT touchscreen automatic contrast adjustment via ambient light sensor |
| Wireless: | |
Bluetooth, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g |
| GPS: | |
Integrated GPS receiver and antenna |
| Audio: | |
Stereo speakers and headphone jack for external headset to support multimedia applications |
| Battery Life: | |
Average 8+ hours of operations, depending on use |
| Expandability: | |
Mini Secure Digital memory slot and USB (Master & Device) ports |
| Accelerometer: | |
Tilt and Dead Reckoning System allows to determine whether or not the user is moving (GPS supplies the position) |
| Keyboard: | |
11 keys - Backlit |
| Ergonomic Design: | |
Designed to comfortably fit the user's wrist, under or over clothes, for hands free operations |
| Pen Device: | |
Integrated stylus connected to the strap |
So, it's not just Linux; Windows CE 5 is available for those of us outfitted with the Borg headsets. It's got an AU1100 400MHz MIPS processor, built-in Wi-Fi, GPS, and stereo sound; its display will adjust to ambient lighting levels. Compatible with NEMA 4, so it shoudln't be a source of infection. So far, a dream come true.
There are, however, problems with this dream. 64MB Flash RAM? Unless it has a Web browser in ROM, that's going to disappear really fast. I see no indication of installed software, or of any option to increase RAM capacity. I'm assuming it's shared between programs and data, which means that some of the nice-to-have software tools like ePocrates will take big bites out of memory. There's no indication of how long the batteries last, but there's an optional multiple battery charger.
The screen is the big problem. 240x320 just isn't very good resolution - I could live without the 256,000 colors if you gave me more pixels. Then again, the screen is only 3.5" on the diagonal, so it's going to need good eyesight for non-trivial applications involving text or detailed graphics.
Enough whining. Do I want one to play with? You bet. Will I buy one with my own money? I don't think so. Guess I better go ask the boss... ;-)
All in all, I'm glad it's out there. This is a disruptive technology that will only get better as it evolves. Someone is going to create a killer app for this or one of its descendants, and wearable computers will proliferate like mad. Tomorrow? Not likely. A year from now? Possibly. Five years from now? No doubt in my mind at all.
I'm going to watch this market space closely.
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