Back to the Future: The Astro Slide 5G from Planet Computers
Years ago, I owned a Psion Organiser, which, at the time, was the perfect device for taking notes using thumb typing. The Nokia Communicator 9000 series took the concept a stage further, adding a Qwerty keyboard to a mobile handset, which meant no more hassle trying to get documents off the device. I also had a chance to use the Ericsson R380 and the Blackberry Q10 became a pocketable mobile workhorse, in situations where using a laptop was not possible. Back in those days, the main applications I used were for word processing and email. And prior to the Q10, the best mobile internet available on those older devices was via WAP (wireless application protocol).
However, today we expect a fully featured web browsing experience on our smart devices, online video and music on-demand, instant messaging services and mobile video conferencing.
Two decades on since I first used a phone with a full QWERTY keyboard and the Astro Slide 5G from Planet Computers is revisiting this form factor – as a device for people who hate typing on a smartphone touchscreen. It’s interesting to see where Planet Computers positions the new 5G equipped device. When I spoke to CEO, Janko Mrsic-Flogel, he said there are a number of key applications, which simply do not have a great user experience on the usual touch screen keyboard of a smartphone. One of these is terminal emulation; the other is manipulating spreadsheets.