They should lower the price, try and make something with the same form factor thats under $1,000, then I would be able to buy one.

I would love to see OQO expand into a different form factor. a 6.5 to 8.9 slate with capacitive and active touch. Ditch the keyboard, make it a half inch thick or less, and make the 'Apple Tablet' before apple does.

I am currently using a Samsung Q1-UP/Verizon EVDO for mobile work, mostly GPS related.

1. Introduce a ~7 inch model with a slider keyboard. The price point should be ~$1,000 base.

2. Retain the outdoor screen option.

3. Front camera option.

4. EVDO internal option.

5. Make a capacitive touchscreen optional for inkers.

6. User upgradeable memory.

7. Vista with an XP "upgrade".

By making many features options, the average buyer price will drop, resulting in more sales.

This is the space for them to act upon. Everybody else is being chinsy. 8.9"-10" would be perfect with active digitizer and multi-touch. 2-4GB RAM, Front WebCam + Back Camera + GPS + Wifi b/g/n + bluetooth + verizon built in option. Chip needs to be speedy Dual Core 2.4+ Ghz. 128GB SSD would be a great option.. 1/2" thin or less.. perfect. Weight 2.5lb or less.

Price: $1,000 base is just fine. Less is always better, but its fine.

I don't think OQO can make the "Apple Tablet." What makes it the "Apple Tablet" is the software. It's not likely they could sell any hardware with Apple software installed on it.

It's not a surprise to see someone suggest that OQO make something that's cheaper. Everyone wants everything to be cheaper. (This doesn't mean that everyone is always wrong, or right.) What's interesting are the requests for larger devices and also for features that you typically find on cellphones. For the most part, these requests are that other companies can fulfill just as well. (e.g., ask Gigabyte to add EVDO to their M704.) I like to see OQO tackle things only they can do. Given that they are a small start up, it's also the best way for them to survive in the marketplace.

The OQO Model 02 is clearly a niche device. I think they should keep making better niche devices. The model 02 is a fine product, but it's no where near perfect. I'd like see at least one of the following: thinner, longer battery life, more computationally powerful. All three would be terrific, but those features are at odds with each other.

I don't see why OQO needs to reach for the mainstream rather than have the mainstream come to it.

So I have owned an OQO 02 and while it was a great device there are a few things I would change, some of which caused me to sell the OQO.

1. Increase the battery life. While it is a very efficient machine, battery life was sub two hours with the standard battery
2. Add HSDPA as an option for the US
3. Get rid of the fan noise which was excessive. This was an issue in meetings
4. Add a dual touch display like the latitude XT
5. Switch to a faster processor and a video sub-system that will run aero
6. Add SD card slot and webcam
7. DON'T change the keyboard as it is PERFECT!
8. 2Gb of RAM
10. Price is at ~1300 with all/most of the above and I'd still buy one while I think it needs to be closer to $800 for mass market apeal

I'd love dual Vista/Windows Mobile capability on this type of device.

Roughly in this order:

Quieter (as in completely silent)
Fix all the glitches
More memory
Tilt-up screen (in addition to the slide, like the Shift)
Bigger ssd
Thinner

I'll take one now please.

Oh, and I forgot to add.....

11. Have a slot for the stylus. Inkers hate having to carry it separate from the device.

When I reffered to an 'Apple' tablet, I was refering to the design. Since most of the OQO design team came from apple, they have some insight into what makes a clean, useful and intuitive design. Keep Vista, it's better for tablets.

Just make a sexy, clean, small slate. With the miniaturization specialized for the oqo slider...the unit could be make thinner when expanded into a larger screen case. Think an iPhone with a 6-8" screen, running vista. There's your OQO Slate. Oh, and make it dockable.

1) Capacitive touchscreen
2) Get rid of the loud fan noise
3) Improve Battery life
4) More RAM
5) Linux (Ubuntu?) option (as system requirements for Vista are way too high)

Perhaps: Make a somewhat smaller (and therefore less powerful) unit, that can be used as a (smart)phone - i.e. a super iPhone, with a slider keyboard (for Windows/ Linux) - with dual boot for phone/ main OS.

I think to maximize battery life and performance, the next OQO should definitely employ the dual core atom that's rated at 1.87GHz. With the battery life imparted by the current line of atom processors (think MSI Wind at 5+ hours of battery life), OQO would definitely own the market with an 8.9" active (or even active + capacitive) screen. Being able to have 4GB of ram would also help out the Vista experience.

I also agree with the above posters. Instead of a sliding form factor for the keyboard, OQO should consider making an external attachable keyboard a la Motion's LE1700 tablet. I think that form factor is truly the best of both worlds. If you need to be completely mobile and weight/thickness is a factor, take off the keyboard and work in slate form. If you need to type, the keyboard is a non-invasive attachment. If OQO makes the 8.9" screen, the keyboard's key size won't be much of an issue, as has been shown with the HP 2133. Perhaps having stabilizing bars that can be extended or folded out from the back of the keyboard (or even a kickstand from the back of the computer itself so even if it doesn't have the keyboard attached can still support itself without a mount or stand) would be great.

What would get me to buy an "OQO 3.0"?

Simply... advances in docking technology. I don't need faster processors or video systems on the move, but I do want it on my desk.

Alternatively, develop better syncing systems, maybe even market a companion desktop with innovative syncing.

Or, modularity... Sometimes I want to go ultra-light, other times I'd appreciate being able to hook up more power.

The other space is to build a real digital "moleskin" with the active digitiser approach, I suspect.

I have an OQO e2 and used it for a while. What I quickly realised was to use it as a true laptop replacement, I needed a bigger screen and keyboard. I did have a Stowaway BlueTooth Keyboard and BlueTooth mouse, but then I was carrying as much junk around as with my normal laptop.

I recently bought a used Fujitsu P1610 and that form factor is ideal, the display is good enough for all my requirements (1280x780), the keyboard is big enough to be able to type reasonably fast. The connectivity is good (wi-fi, bluetooth and optional HSDPA). It has a PCMCIA slot to store my Mogo mouse. The only drawback is that the screen is touch screen and really lacks the responsiveness of an active digitizer.

I used use a Motion LE1600 and this was the perfect inking experience.

I would jump at the chance to buy a roughly 8" convertible with active digitizer, providing it also had PCMCIA, USBx2, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and HSDPA.

I travel a lot by plane and train, and this would be the perfect form factor.

Oh, don't forget decent battery life. The P1610 gives me a about 5 hours from the extended battery, and this is pretty good.

@Gavin Miller:
Such a device (combining Vista and WinMo) already exists. It is called the HTC Shift (after "liberation" of SnapVue). Not perfect but close.
(To be perfect RAM (+ROM) on the WinMo side would have to be expanded, SD slot accessible for WinMo, put in an ULV Core Duo for the Vista side, extend Vista battery life at the same time (I personally wouldn't mind if the Shift was 2 or 3 mm thicker), don't forget 2GB RAM and a 64 GB or larger SSD and keep the price where it is (I'll not ask for a lower price with better specs, let others do that))
But still, the Shift should basically cover your wants.

I would like to see the OQO provide a mid-range docking solution.

Assuming that the battery, processing power, screen and thermal management will improve with each successive interation, I'd love to see a way to dock the OQO into something of a more traditional laptop factor. That way, when I'm out and about, I can just carry the wee comp, but if I'm going for a sales meeting, or need to do something more hard core, I can dock it into a laptop shell that'll give me bigger screen, keyboard and better mousing abilities.

Sure, I could get a separate laptop for that, but then I'd have two different devices that require constant syncing. A single device that I can dock into a laptop shell or workstation would have me drooling!

Having tried a number of the UMPCs I have to say I'm disappointed by the trend towards what will prove to be merely a much smaller notebook/laptop, if current trends hold. These are useful and much more portable than the typical 13-17 inch notebooks but OQO has a unique product in its size -- a truly pocketable fullscale OS device -- the only one (I know... has to be a big pocket; but it is much more pocketable than any other UMPC). Were it not for the miserable battery life (and very expensive batteries) I would keep my OQO. However, <2 hrs (and that's with WinXP) just isn't enough for a "mobile" device.

So OQO -- whatever you design as your Model 03 please give us decent battery life -- keep in mind these devices, to be truly "mobile" need to operate throughout the typical day, not just a couple hours and done.

As for screen size -- I love the form factor the 5" screen allows -- had an HTC Advantage 7500 for over a year and it proved to be my favorite "umpc" -- but it is limited by being a WinMo device. If the the consensus points to a larger screen I suggest keeping it small enough that, depending on form factor (clamshell or slideout keybord), its size remains "below the pack" -- I think that's the chief selling point for the Model 02 and if they can do the same with the Model 03, especially if they can keep the price more competitive, it should be a winner.

Two gigs.

Broadly speaking, there are only two kinds of portable computers that run desktop OS's: those you can wear on your body and those you must carry in a bag. If OQO can make the 02 a bit thinner and lighter, that fits very well into the first category. (The current 02 is borderline IMO. My Palm Treo with extended battery weighs about half as much as an 02, and I can't see myself carrying the equivalent of two Treos on my belt every day--plus a cell phone.)

If OQO wants to play in the second category, the space occupied by the Eee PC is rapidly filling up with competitors. I think there's a better opportunity for more-expensive but lighter ultraportables (1.5-2 lbs.) such as the Toshiba Portege R500 SSD. Maybe something like that, or perhaps an HTC Shift-like slider or clamshell with a higher-res screen?

I'm not an OQO customer, but I'd like to be one someday.

1) Better battery life.

Like it was said, with Atom based "netbooks" going into the 5 hour range, that should soon become the "least" we should expect to get from any mobile computer.

2) Noise

This would be related to #1 as well. A new, more efficient CPU would also run a lot cooler, keeping the fan from running at all, most of the time.

3) SSDs

A nice priced 32GB SSD for entry point would be great. (and ditch the traditional HD! :)

4) Lower price

Unlike the new iPhone, OQO doesn't have a chance to get some money back from monthly fees. But if they want to expand, a $999 price would certainly get a lot more attention from lots of people that disregard the OQO immediately as being too exepensive.
(If they can make "netbooks" with all of the hardware for $299, it's kind of hard to justify paying 4x as much just for the reduction in size - though I understand it's not really a fair comparison: but it shows the point :)


Other than that, I would keep the same form factor - that's why people get an OQO in the first place.
Better screen (outdoor/indoor visibility) and better digitizers (multitouch, although not much of an issue, will soon be) would also improve the "OQO experience".

What NOT to do - make it bigger. The last thing the world needs is another UMPC that won't fit in a pocket.

For the most part OQO has gotten it right. The best thing they could do would be what you'd expect them to do - upgrade components. Move to the Via Nano. Along with this, move to a better graphics chipset. They also need to figure out how to get at least 2GB and, ideally, 4GB of RAM.

Minor annoyances that they need to fix - make the fan quiet, move the touch scrollers from the lower right to the upper right (to allow them to be used while inking), add a microphone contact to the headphone jack, put a logo on the top of the power plug (I'm always trying to plug it in upside down), use an anti-glare screen protector instead of a crystal one.

As far as innovative ideas that will probably never happen, dual touch (passive and active) would be nice. A split battery to allow the OQO to continue running while you swap out half the battery would be useful. Finally, if they could replace the EVDO card with a true mobile phone processor with 3g AND voice (and also GPS) that would be outstanding.

I would love to see an 8/9 inch form factor with an active digitizer and a long lasting battery. We've had several customers inquire about this form factor.

Steve Hoffman
Active Ink Software
http://www.activeinksoftware.com

* 7-8" Active digitiser screen (or even better dual), very small bezel area, 1024x600 minimum.
* Choice of lower power or high performance processors.
* 2GB RAM minimum.
* Slice style batteries ala Flipstart.Aim for 5+ hours on low power processor.
* Screen protector/detachable keyboard a/la HTC Advantage
* SSD HDD to lower boot times.
* HSDPA, BT, WIFI, GPS radios built in.
* A leather portfolio like the PD Air case for the Sony UX.

And then make a 5" version of the above. Choice is good.

If the HTC shift had had anywhere close to a decent ink experience I would have bought one. I still have my Sony UX because of the screen and battery life with the extended battery. But I'm on the hunt for a "Shift Like" design for my daily use. And if it's really good I'm prepared to pay for it. I like value but I don't need cheap.

Gordon

I am an OQO Model 02 Owner.

* What can OQO do to improve their products?

1. Silent.
2. Thinner.
3. More RAM.
4. Active Digitizer and Capacitive Touch.
5. Cameras, GPS.
6. Power (only if it doesn't reduce current battery life).

* What are they doing right and where are they falling below expectations?

1. Good:
Form factor.
Design.
Excellent Balance between Mobility, Performance, Battery life.
2. Bad:
Slow updates to product line.
Extremely expensive accessories.


Are there clear open opportunities that OQO should take advantage of?

1. Small slate with active (or dual) digitizer. 5-9" screen range.
2. Dual screen moleskine (Nintendo DS style) 2x5", where one screen is capacitive touch (for occasional virtual keyboard).

How is their customer service and product quality standing up?

1. No opinion on customer service.
2. Product quality: very good, almost outstanding (Fujitsu computers are my reference).

PS:

DO *NOT* abandon the active digitizer !
Add a pen silo (even if the pen has to be smaller) !

Wish list for the OQO 03:

1. Integrated HSPDA like their e2 model sold in Europe.
2. 2GB RAM. Especially needed with Vista.
3. Don't make it larger. The whole point is for it to be pocketable.

Fundamental question: What is OQO's niche after the coming MIDs, which are almost the same size, some (like the LG) with powerful specs, and (maybe) a lot cheaper?

I've had my OQO for over a year now. The reason it's been demoted by my Nokia E90?

The OS! What a piece of crap Vista is on this device. It's power hungry, it constantly takes over the machine, stopping you from being productive. I dread turning the wifi on because I know I won't be able to do anything for awhile. And voice dictation? Forget it. I know, I've tried. I've also spent way too much time trying to prune Vista down.

I love the hardware (as someone else said, it will get better with each update), it desperately needs a good OS - inking is vital so all you Apple and Linux fanboys can go back to your parent's cellar.

I think it should keep the current form factor without the keyboard. More emphasis should be placed on the resistive and capacative touchscreen implementation. I think other 3rd patry OS systems and software should be able to be used. From other postst I got the impression that the processor is just nog powerful enough to properly run windows Vista bug free. This means a powerful loss of functiionality and reason to buy this machine. So again, more effort on improvement on inking software.