They're serious all right. Even I've never seen them get aggressive with a slew of products to throw into the market in a single quarter, but here they are, and as their General Manager has said, whatever we've seen at Computex, Red Fox's bringing them into the hands of Filipinos, not next year, but in just a few more months time, more specifically by the third quarter of this year. What have we seen so far? The eBook Reader that you see in this article's heading should be enough to entice you. So find out more... after the break!
What you saw above was the Wiz Lib and shown here is the top ports. This partcular model isn't covered in their materials and there's 4 of these eReaders in Red Fox's WizLib family. As you can see, there's basic headphones and USB port adapters included. Gotta love that smooth matte finish and iPad like contours for the front, rear, and edges of the device. The display was that of ePaper tech - this would be this generation's version of the PDA. According to Red Fox, their eBook readers' screens are of the 16 grey scale variety. The rest of the family has a 600 x 800 resolution, and judging from how crisp what is drawn here, it's probably using the same resolution.
Here's the rear port of the device showing the microSD expansion slot. Quite nifty. Oh by the way, we've been told that the paper only consumes power when it changes its content, but does not need it when retaining the pattern on the screen. It can last for about 2 weeks before needing a recharge, too. Price for the smaller units is roughly about PhP 15,000.
This is the smaller 5-inch model. It's more basic (for those who don't want to be intimidated by a built-in keyboard) and has the same 600 x 800 resolution, 16 grey scale display, and a weight of 150g. It's 148 x 102 x 7.7mm. Same feel as the first one we've checked out, but sort of "flimsy" in a good way - since it's very light and the screen seems impervious to scratches, fingerprint smudges and what not, you can be more comfortable with a device like this one.
Here's a slightly larger device, the 6-inch model with again, the same type of screen as the one we've mentioned before. It weighs in at 260g and has a dimension of 192 x 125 x 103mm. Navigation controls on this one's for right handed people: they're on the right hand side.
The ports of the 6-inch ebook reader are at the bottom - that's one for USB and another for the headphones.
The surface on this model's a tad shiny. You can also see speakers integrated on the unit from the vent holes at the bottom.
The largest of them all: the 9.7-inch model with again, the same type of screen as the models we've mentioned before. It weighs in at 600g, close to the VAIO P and the Apple iPad, and has a dimension of 271 x 183 x 10.2. We've been told that this model may come with a Wi-Fi or built-in 3G transmitter in the future or when it's launched. And this will set you back around PhP 30,000. Prices are still in the ball park range as of this time.
This gentleman here is showing how the Promethian (did we get this right?) or the Red Fox Interactive White Board works. According to the materials, it's a board and projector device, which allows wireless control to the PC through digital pen, finger, or other devices. But unlike touch screen, there's no screen at the rear to speak of. A projector is needed to shoot at the board, and the board has to be calibrated much like a tablet to synchronize its magnetic pen to the screen. The technology's similar to Wacom's Penabled, so think of it as such. Here's some benefits about this product:
- Gives more control by allowing users to contorl PC applications directly form the IWB
- Saves time to copy notes written in the board via a unique note-saving IWB application
- May include a handwriting recognition software and a wired or wireless connection to the host PC
Here's how to manipulate the device: with a special stylus.
Shown here is Red Fox's latest Pico projector. It's got a hook stand on top of the computer tower powering the Multi Learner setup at the table. It does not look like it's powered by a mere LED backlight as there's sufficient ambient lighting and the projector's capable of projecting a decent image with a decent size. We wonder how this compares to Samsung's own Pico projector shown in their recent launch.
Succeed the PC ng Bayan, the iCitizen is among the more affordable desktop computers available from Red Fox. It doesn't look shabby either.
Here is the GM's favorite: the Red Fox eVolve all-in-one computer cum television set. We've been told that the parts here are upgradeable and it comes in dual, quad, or hexa core configurations. There's Wi-Fi built-in by the way and it can be placed on a table or hooked to a wall. TV's set by switching modes on the display. Don't worry, your PC's still on, think of it as just switching between AV sources.
Here's what the left port looks like. Besides the Wi-Fi antenna above, there's what seems like a PCI expansion card slot. There's four USB ports, a VGA interface, Ethernet, and 3 common audio ports.
On the right is the built-in DVD super drive, multi-card reader, another USB port for a wireless transmitter for wireless keyboards and mice, and analog audio video input and output, including a cable source for the TV.
This is the Red Fox Docking Station which lets you extend your notebook or netbook to another virtual workstation. Just like MultiLearner, this one can let another user tap unused power from a laptop or netbook, and compute from there, depending on the operating system used - if it's Windows XP, it can extend use to up to 6 more users. All the user needs is hook up a display, keyboard and mouse to this. This can also act as quite literally a docking station in extended mode, and this can be achieved under Windows XP, Vista, or Windows 7.
This is the thin client module Multi Learner setup. It only draws power from the USB port and simply needs a keyboard, mouse and display to run. The server will need to have Windows MultiPoint Server 2010, too. The Multi Learner can accommodate up to 10 thin clients or virtual workstations. What are the benefits of going for this? Aside from the obvious energy savings to be realized here, users can work independently or simultaneously, licensing costs will be reduced, and this supposedly makes file and work sharing easier and more organized - that will depend on the administrator though. Price for one of these thin client modules is about PhP 5,000.
Did you know Red Fox has their own smart phone line, too? Thank (or blame which ever suits you) the Google Android. From what we can see, it's got a touch navigation pad. The touchscreen looks crisp, too.
Looking at the rear, we can see its camera and maybe even the integrated speaker.
There's a basic headphone jack on top...
And a reset hole and a micro USB jack at the bottom the right profile. There's also a pair of up-down buttons to the top.
This one wasn't mentioned, but Red Fox will also be coming out with their own Pad computer, aptly and expectedly named as the Wizpad. It's a touchscreen that looks similar to its iPad inspiration. It can come with either Windows or the MeeGo operating system (remember the one by Nokia and Intel?) Not much other details revealed in their materials but it seems we can expect a pretty standard set of Pad specs with this one. It's "extremely flexible and multi-functional by including applications allowing WizPad to be used as a digital planner, portable Internet device, multimedia player, or an e-book reader." Does that give you enough of an idea what it can do? It's likely the Tegra's not making its appearance with this one.
Interested parties can check out the Red Fox website or call them at +632 722-0000. They've got two partners selling their products for them so you may want to check with them first:
Digi Quest Corporation
1625 Jose Abad Santos Ave., Tondo, Manila
Tel. Nos.: 321-1471 to 73, 321-1386
Fax. Nos.: 321-1387
The Value System Philippines, Inc.
#2394 UPSON Building II
Ramon Magsaysay Blvd., Sta. Manila
Tel. Nos.: 716-0869, 716-2757, 716-1468, 716-2879