Why Litl Won’t Work
November 5, 2009 by Rico Mossesgeld
Filed under netbooks
The new Litl is basically a web-based netbook designed to work entirely on the web, allowing users to access prominent online applications like Flickr and Google Docs. The gadget, manufactured in China, enjoys the support of a minimalist-oriented marketing and design strategy. The design of the actual unit itself is special, especially as the display hinge flexibility allows the Litl to turn into a dynamic picture frame of sorts, showing pictures, weather forecasts, and of course the time. The emphasis on usability and simplicity looks promising.
Users cannot directly install applications on Litl; updates are streamed automatically via WiFi. There’s also no on-board drive; the Litl operates completely online, apparently totally reliant on cloud computing. Therein lies a potential flaw for this $700 product. Constant online access is a great thing, simply because it allows real-time information updates. But that’s only possible in the ideal, where internet service providers create enough infrastructure to support their user base, and where downtime rate is somewhere between 99.9% and 100%.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Litl cannot function when it has no access to the Internet. I’d rather pay $700 for a device that still does things even when offline, not on a product that’s totally reliant on the quality of your internet connection. It’s possible though time will prove me wrong. Maybe internet connectivity will become as reliable and “default” as electricity is today. I’ll reserve my final thoughts until I’m able to secure a review unit, so stay tuned!
Thanks for highlighting the new litl webbook, an Internet computer for the home.
You’re right that it’s 100% internet-dependent — we’ve integrated the web into the operating system and user experience in a lot of interesting ways. But, at least in the U.S., home broadband penetration is approaching 65% and still growing quickly.
While the webbook certainly *could* travel to the local cafe, park, or library (assuming they have Wi-Fi), we envision the webbook staying in the home for the most part — in the kitchen, bedroom, living room, back porch, etc.
So, for our users at least, we don’t see internet connectivity being a serious problem. They’re already online and have it throughout their homes.
Rico, glad to talk offline and get you connected for a demo or conversation with the team.