Celio REDFLY C8N

by Brightpoint

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 11.4 x 11.4 x 2.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B001LJSRJK
• Item model number: CRF-C8N
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)

Product Description

REDFLY is NOT a computer. It's simply a large screen and keyboard for your BlackBerry or Windows Mobile smartphone. It lets you use your smartphone in a whole new way. REDFLY is a smartphone terminal with a large screen and full keyboard with no OS, no CPU, and no storage that lets you use your smartphone like a laptop. REDFLY links to your smartphone via a USB cable or wireless Bluetooth connection. The unique REDFLY terminal architecture lowers TCO, provides data loss protection, and improves corporate security. REDFLY is unlike any sub-compact laptop, netbook or UMPC because it has no CPU, memory or OS. There's no need to sync with a smartphone or manage the REDFLY in any way. Just install the over-the-air driver on your phone, connect to REDFLY and you see your smartphone in a whole new way. The C8N has an 8 inch diagonal display (800x480 pixels), 8 hour battery and media port. The C8N is 1x6x9 inches, and has 2 USB ports, 1 VGA port and weighs under 2 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent smartphone accessory, January 23, 2009

By 

Jerry Saperstein (Evanston, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Celio REDFLY C8N (Wireless Phone Accessory)

If you have a compatible smartphone, this is the handiest accessory you can have. In a package of less than 2 pounds and measuring 6 x 9 x 1 inches, you have the logical extension for your smartphone, giving you a very sharp 8 inch screen, a suprisingly usable keyboard, two USB slots that can be used to hold flash drives.

You connect your smartphone via a USB cable or Bluetooth and you have everything you need to do your business. Essentially, you've just tied a dumb terminal to your smartphone. There's no software to load, no settings to fiddle with, no hassles or problems.

Your smartphone screen is now on the 8" Redfly screen. Instead of the miniscule keyboard on your smartphone, you use the surprisingly capable Redfly keyboard. (I'm not sure of how they did it, but the less-than-full-size Redfly keyboard doesn't feel cramped to my large hands.)Connectivity and application software are supplied by your smartphone.

Quite frankly, the Redfly allows you to go without your laptop on many occasions. You can use Windows Mobile Office or pick up one of several office-like applications that are more powerful. Adobe Acrobat Reader (or a third party programs) allows you to readPDF files comfortably. You can browse with your smartphone's install of Internet Explorer, Opera, Skyfire or other browser.

It is a pure hoot to use this two pound wonder. You can throw it into a small bag and carry it everywhere. The idea of harnessing the power of your smartphone, leveraging its connectivity, built-in computing power and applications. Plug in a flash drive, which are now available in 64GB capacities, and there's little in the way of typical productivity work you can't get done.

The rechargeable battery will last 8 - 9 hours on a charge and recharge your smartphone over a USB connection.

Are there drawbacks? Yes. You are limited to the capabilities of your smartphone, so viewing online Flash movies will most likely be out of the question and your smartphone processor may not be anywhwere near as speedy as you would like when you are banging out a long memo. The battery is not removable: there are people who need even more than 8 or so hours on a charge. The power adapter does not have foldable prongs which makes it unnecessarily difficult to pack in a carrying bag.

Beyond that, the Redfly comes close to being an act of technological brilliance. It takes advantage of the increasing power of smartphones and makes them more usable, without making the technology more complex. Nice move!

My review, by the way, is based on the C8 model, which is the same as the C8N except for the plug-in video import capability.

Jerry

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A real "out of the box" idea!, January 2, 2009

By 

K. Marsh (Omaha, NE United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Celio REDFLY C8N (Wireless Phone Accessory)

What can I say about the RedFly. This is a ingenious product. It makes so much sense to harness the power of a smartphone and display it on a nice big screen with a full size keyboard for input.

The great thing about it is that you dont have to buy any software. You don't have to worry about loosing data or having hard disks crash. You don't have to worry about viruses or keeping anit virus software up to date. You don't have to worry about fire walls. You always have a good fast free Internet connection (though your smartphone). You always have your data with you (in your phone) even when you don't have your Redfly with you.

This thing is real well made. Its built like a tank and has better build quality than my Dell laptop. The battery life is incredible and it keeps my smartphone battery topped off at the same time. It takes about 1 second to boot up (try that on your netbook). The bluetooth connection is instant, fast, and stable.

I could go on and on but I think you get the idea. Lately I have been enjoying watching movies through my ipod touch on the Redfly big screen. Very slick!

Bottom line is that you have a good smartphone there is no reason anymore to carry a big heavy, expensive laptop. Get a Redfly and lighten your load!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just what I was looking for, January 5, 2009

By 

K. Leypoldt "KC" (Denver, CO) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Celio REDFLY C8N (Wireless Phone Accessory)

I have been looking for a (reliable) way of getting a larger screen and keyboard for my Windows mobile phone for a LONG time. Celio delivers here with a very well thought out device with great customer service! (take advantage of the complimentary 15 min overview).

Being a network admin requires near 24x7 access to the network. Not having to lug my laptop around wherever I go (and much cheaper than paying for cellular modem card) is wonderful!