K-Byte Zipit Wireless Instant Messenger - Blue

by Zipit

Product Details

Supplementary Guide [363kb PDF]

• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• ASIN: B0002XR9PO
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 7, 2004

Product Description

It's called"instant" messaging, right? Not"whenever your little brother finishes his game and gets off the computer" messaging. The Zipit Instant Messenger is a portable device thatconnects automatically to any home Wi-Fi or(free) hotspot. Personal, private, and ready when the conversation's happening, it features a MyFriendz Key to quickly locate online friends and offers the"one to many" chatting experience. It also allows you to take part in multiple, concurrent conversations(memory space allowing). Dedicated and programmable My Emoticonz keep you quick on the keys. The Zipit Wireless Messenger picks up networks from within 300 feet of your home access point or any open(free) hotspot. Multiple security features ensure a fun and safe messaging experience. Features a 320x240 LCD display, keyboard with a large QWERTY layout for fast typing, rechargeable battery that provides 4-8 hours continuous use, and in-field s/w downloads for updating protocols and streaming music. Using the Zipit requires no service fee; Internet service for home access must be purchased separately. It's easy to set up and supports popular IM protocols and international connectivity. Includes AC adapter. Designed in USA. Imported. 4.25Lx3.6Wx8H".

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

50 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great IM device that can be so much more!, July 30, 2005

By 

James L. Kneuper "OCA|" (Plano, TX, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: K-Byte Zipit Wireless Instant Messenger - Blue (Electronics)

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.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Zipit exceeds expectations!!, October 11, 2004

By 

gadgetguy (NC, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: K-Byte Zipit Wireless Instant Messenger - Blue (Electronics)

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.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Love my red zipit, June 28, 2006

By 

REDZIPITLOVER - See all my reviews

This review is from: K-Byte Zipit Wireless Instant Messenger - Blue (Electronics)

This thing is great. I use it at night when i am lying in bed or when i am just hanging around my house. it is great for when you want to talk to your friends but someone else is on the computer. the only thing i dont like is how there is not a light built or attached so if you are not near a lamp you can not see what is on the screen