Salton EP1 ePods Handheld Computer

Other products by Salton

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 0.8 x 8.8 inches ; 3 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 6 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00004YNWY
• Item model number: EP1
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #89,929 in Electronics (See Bestsellers in Electronics)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 4, 1999

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description
If you want an Internet appliance that tucks away easily in a briefcase, desk drawer, or on a bookshelf, the ePodsOne is your machine. This Internet device is about the size of a magazine. It weighs only 2.2 pounds and can be used anywhere there's a regular phone line.

Just hook the tablet into a power outlet and the modem cable into a telephone jack. (The ePodsOne also comes with a rechargeable NiMH battery, which can power the device up to 8 hours.) Using the internal 56 Kbps modem, the ePodsOne dials you into the ePods Web site, which sorts Internet information into categories like news, sports, lifestyle, and more. Send and receive e-mail with one of the 5 e-mail accounts that come with ePods service.

It features a 640 x 480 LCD touch screen, which displays 256 colors and an onscreen keyboard for typing (an optional plug-in keyboard is also available). The ePodsOne has 2 USB ports (for plugging in accessories, such as a keyboard), a serial port, an IrDA 1.1 infrared port, an internal microphone, and headphone and microphone jacks. It also has a PCMCIA Type II slot (for the included 56 Kbps modem card) and a CompactFlash Type II slot. A stylus, AC adapter (to power the ePodsOne or charge the battery in only three hours), and modem cable are included.

Important note to customers: The ePodsOne requires a monthly service charge; service payment plans start at $24.99. Upfront, 12-, 24-, and 36-month payment plans are available. All plans include Internet service, a customizable page of Internet information, e-mail, shopping, and customer support. Complete details are provided in the order process. For more information, call (877) GO-EPODS or [phone].

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the ePods-1 works with wireless modems as well, January 20, 2001

By	Startide Rising (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews

The ePods-1 is highly recommended as a versatile device. While it comes dedicated to the ePods service, it should be noted that as a WindowsCE device, it is also capable of much more (including the playing of WindowsCE games). You can surf the net and download some WindowsCE games into it. To save on its limited amount of memory, you can buy a CompactFlash card... and store your programs in that, thus freeing the ePods-1 from one of its several memory limitations. All in all, this is a fine little unit that is easy to hold and easy to carry. Its built-in holder for the stylus is very convenient. A special feature is the on-screen keyboard. Press the keyboard button once, and you have the as-expected little tiny keyboard that you poke with the stylus. But press it again and the screen halfway fills up with a large keyboard that you can actually use two fingers to poke at. If you are a touch-typist, it takes very little time before you are using both index fingers to touch type even those longer missives you love to send to your significant other. It's the fastest, easiest PDA on-screen keyboard I've ever used! The USB ports (there are 2) support use of MS-compatible keyboards right away; I took the unit to a computer store and started plugging in various USB keyboards (they worked!) without the need to load any drivers or fool with anything. As soon as I started typing on the external USB keybard, the letters started appearing on the ePods-1 screen. Very nice! And now, I've gotta get going and put the infamous Solitaire onto the ePods-1...

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Get one!, December 13, 2000

By	Spike (Maryland, USA) - See all my reviews

Part PDA-part computer, the ePods EP1 is as close to a space-age Etch-A-Sketch as you can get; and the price is right. Supports plenty of standard USB and PCMCIA add-ons and can be easily made to work with internet providers other than the ePods service. Also runs plenty of WindowsCE applications that you can download online. Hope they get more of these in stock soon!

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ePods to the rescue!!!!!!!!!, October 12, 2000

By	Donna Martinez (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews

I have been searching for a device like this for some time now. The Palm is great but serves as merely an organizer. The websurfing on my Palm 7 is minimal and I can't stand the text-based experience. Although the ePods product is tethered to the wall, the ability to surf the web from any room in my home is remarkable. I never thought I'd be able to browse my recipes from my kitchen.......even while cutting carrots. In a nutshell, this is a must buy!