Line of "browser only" low-cost PDA devices that communicate text and image without a cellular network.

(Of course better and newer models would also have voice capabilities, but that comes later.)

Start off with a walky-talky like pair of low-cost PDAs except you dont talk but can only "SMS" each other. (Sold as toy for kids).

Continue with Wifi or bluetooth to PC.

Use PC as relay station - connected to the regular internet in broadband. People can even get payed for giving the relay service. (works only for people in the local vicinity).

Within a short while you'll have people able to pass and recieve information on local networks around the world, without the need to pay the cellular companies.
-- pashute, May 01 2006

Cybiko http://www.streette..._gadget/cybiko.html
[BunsenHoneydew, May 02 2006]

Baked. Cybiko
-- BunsenHoneydew, May 02 2006


err.. Skype ?
-- neilp, May 05 2006


Skype's not even close
-- BunsenHoneydew, May 06 2006


Skype on my wifi PDA lets me do all of the above.. I think the expensive bit of a PDA is the screen, and wifi, rather than the on board applications.
-- neilp, May 07 2006


Yup cybiko. so must I remove this? ;''''( [MFD]
-- pashute, Sep 12 2006


Not necessarily. MFDs are judged by the admins.
-- BunsenHoneydew, Oct 24 2006


For short range you could use Bluetooth. Bluetooth SMS is possible using calendarnotes which you send to your peers.

Might be a good way to communicate during a meeting or a class?
-- Pellepeloton, Oct 25 2006



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