A device that offers consumers an alternative to a smartphone or mini-PC has today been launched by IMOVIO. The iKIT is a Pocket Mobile Companion that at 95mm by 65mm and only 15.5mm high is said to be as portable as a mobile phone, and is a WiFi and HSDPA enabled device with a full QWERTY/AZERTY keyboard, an 8GB SD card slot and a 2.8 inch QVGA display, making it a fully functional communicating and browsing device and a viable substitute for a laptop.
The iKIT is a dedicated chat, email and internet accessory and unlike smartphones it is fully optimised for that purpose. The clamshell design provides users with a full keyboard and landscape screen that don't have to be compromised for voice calls. Dedicated hotkeys for all of the applications, including a music and video player and webcam, coupled with the elegant design mean that iKIT is the ultimate, portable multimedia device.
The suggested retail price of approximately £99 or €130, combined with the functionality, is said to make the iKIT a very attractive device for a youth audience, as well as appealing to travelers who need a quick and easy-to-use messaging alternative. By buying the iKIT, consumers will be able to save up to £500 on an iPhone or mini-PC and with potential operator subsidies the savings may be even greater, says the company.
"Many consumers can't afford the latest smartphone or mini-PC gadget, while others simply can't use or just don't like the existing form factors. This means that large groups of people still don't fully utilise mobile data," said Dr Jack Torobin, CEO of IMOVIO. "These users, mainly women and teens, still want to have the ability to send emails, browse the web and update their on-line profiles whilst they are out and about."
"We designed the iKIT to be an alternative to a smartphone or mini-PC," said Nigel Newby-House, Head of Design at IMOVIO. "It's a beautifully designed mobile device that provides all the multi-media and messaging capabilities a mobile consumer needs. But at a much better price."
For mobile and broadband providers, the iKIT is claimed to be the perfect device to complement their existing range and can be offered to consumers as an add-on device to go with the existing choice of phones, laptops or HSDPA cards. Alternatively, the iKIT can be used to increase customer retention or reduce churn by offering it as a subsidised device for users signing up or renewing broadband or mobile data packages.
Dr. Torobin continued, "the iKIT will allow operators to target the demographics that are currently not well served for mobile data. And as an HSDPA enabled device, it offers a great entry level product for operators to increase usage of their high-speed networks."