Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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54 of 56 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great IM device that can be so much more!, July 30, 2005
The ZipIt Wireless Messenger is the best instant messaging device I have ever used. The ability to connect to any open access point is one of its strongest strengths - I can use it out in the park, at many local resturants, and at school. The software is very easy to use. On the device's first boot, it walks you through a simple setup proceedure that involves entering your IM names and passwords. Afterwards, every time the unit is turned on it automatically looks for an open access point, connects to it, and logs on your IM services. If it does not find an open one, or only finds one with WAP, a dialogue appears asking for the ESSID of the base station you want to connect to or for the WAP key, respectively.
Your buddy list can be shown or hidden by the big "Z" logo key just below the screen's hinge. Messaging someone on your list is as simple as selecting their name with the arrow keys and hitting enter. If you have a large list of friends, you can begin typing their name, and it will automatically select the closesst match.
Chatting itself is very intuitive. If you recieve a message when you have no other conversations going, that message is displayed, along with the familliar bottom text field for you to type. If another message is recieved while you are chatting, a non-intrusive popup is displayed for a few seconds informing you of the new message. You can switch conversations by hittting the previous and next keys, or by hitting P1, P2, or P3 for the first three conversations. You can have up to 99 conversations going at once - if that's not enough for you, then you need to seek the services of a professional. And of course, all the expected sound notifications are here - buddies logging on and off, sending and recieving messages, etc.
Battery life is solid, with 4-6 hours in my experience depending on the power saving options. The power save option works with most newer access points, but some older ones won't let you connect with this option enabled so you will have to resort to turning that off.
Physically, the device is lightweight yet has a solid feel to its construction. The display lid has a latch on it to keep it closed, and the power button will not turn the unit on if the screen is down. The battery door is secured with a single phillips screw to ensure it is not accidentally released.
Nothing is perfect, however, and the ZipIt is no exception. My only gripe is relitively minor - the keyboard has a bit of a learning curve for those who type very quickly. Essentially, the keyboard cannot handle more than one keypress at a time. If, for instance, you are typing the word "if", and your right thumb hasn't completely released the 'i' key before your left thumb hits the 'f' key, the 'f' key will not register. This may have been intentional, as it does allow for people with large thumbs to type (since key in the center of the thumb is depressed before the others, only the intended one registers), but if that was the case I would have liked to have an option to turn it off. At this point, it is not much of a concern to me as I have adjusted my thumb typing methods to compensate. Typing speed now feels acceptable.
Finally, a note to anyone who is interested in embedded Linux applications - this device is a must! If you are willing to void the warantee, there are instructions on the net to replace the default firmware with an open Linux one, which can make the device infinately more useful. After playing with it using the original firmware for a week, I myself installed the OpenZipit firmware on the device. Now, in addition to instant messaging, I can use SSH to connect to my server at home and adminster it remotely, browse the web, compile applications, or even play Infocom games, wherever I have a WiFi connection. Multiple virtual terminals are supported as well, so you can effectively multitask. There is plenty of development interest in the device amoung the open source community as well, ensuring that adventurous geeks like myself will often find new ways to use our Zipits =)
Overall, this device should appeal to three primary crowds:
-Parents who want the family computer back after their teens constantly hog it to chat with friends
-Teens, who are tired of sharing the family computer just to chat
-Geeks interested in Embedded Linux who are looking for an inexpensive device to experament on.
If you fall into any of the above crowds, I cannot reccomend this product enough.
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17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Zipit exceeds expectations!!, October 11, 2004
Bought this unit for my oldest daughter, turned it on and in less 2 minutes she was sending IM's through our wireless network. Unit is small and very transportable. Battery life is excellent, and its rechargeable! Keypad is responsive and in QWERTY format. Already got 2 more for my other children before the holiday crunch hits. I also looked at the Motorola IM Free (left a review there too), but you are "tethered" to a base station - which may be acceptable for the home, but its no good away from a router/modem with an open port - ie. McCafe, coffee shops , etc, plus Zipit is smaller than the IM Free. So far, Zipit quickly connects to any wireless network without additional software/hardware and seems hassle free, plus there is no monthly fee I have to pay. While wireless isn't in every place you go, it's heading that way pretty fast. Plus, many schools and colleges are wi-fi now so it can be used on campus as well.
<Gadgetster> - normally your reviews hit the mark but I think you need a new wireless router this time or maybe you just got a bad unit because none of my units (3) are having the problems you describe. The range restrictions/connection issues you describe (you also had the same problems with the IM Free as far as range) are nonexistant in my units, and the unit does have a built in firewall contrary to your feedback. And for $50 you can get a portable wireless router to plug into your laptop or the hi-speed connection for on the road usage where no wireless network is readily available.
Zipit will also have an online firmware upgrade lets you downstream mp3 music right through Zipit, I'll be checking that out when it is available. Only downside I see is no backlit LCD display, but for the price/performance this is a steal. The two clinchers to me are true wireless capability and no additional service fee - I don't have to choose either/or.
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17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
On the go chat, November 21, 2004
The idea of a portable IM device intriqued me, so I looked around abit first. I saw the Motorola IMFree, but it was locked to AIM only. I know many people who are not on AIM so this wasn't an option. I saw the new Ogo over at ATT Wireless. Has the features, but why pay $20.99 a month for only two IM clients and there isn't anything about accessories or future upgrades. The Zipit has access to the the top three IM clients for no monthly fee. All you need is to be inside a wireless network, which isn't hard today. Starbuck's, Panara Bread, Best Buy, and even some Denny's have a wireless betwork (yeah, some Denny's do). Most colleges also offer free wireless networks, great way to keep in touch while in class. A lot of the business are also getting wireless networks. The other day I picked up a wireless network from behind a transmission shop.
They are going to offer accessories soon for this little thing like cases, headphones with remote. They plan on having streaming audio out soon for it, thats why there is the the headphone jack on the back. So the features are pretty good in my opinion. The software is really neat too, it took me about ten minutes to figure it out without using the manual (I'm a guy, what do I need a manual for). They also do auto upgrades of the software over the internet. Once your up and chatting, it'll check for updates for you. There are emotes too. I should also point out the contruction a bit. It feels solid, which is what I like, and the keys are nicely spaced, even for my fat fingers. Its design is very clean and neat, not cluttered or busy looking. I've had mine for about a week or two and I'm liking it.
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