Could this answer our remote control dreams?

[CardinalFang]

The chumby, a soon to be released $150 Wifi enabled home computing device with colour screen:

http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/hands-on-with-the-chumby/

It even has a squeeze sensor - now how could that be used for music selection?! Seriously though, it's open source, so I'm sure we could turn it into a seriously good remote control.

Paul

[gwak]

Flash

The chumby, a soon to be released $150 Wifi enabled home computing device with colour screen:

http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/05/hands-on-with-the-chumby/

It even has a squeeze sensor - now how could that be used for music selection?! Seriously though, it's open source, so I'm sure we could turn it into a seriously good remote control.

Paul

If i understood correctly the chumby only runs flash apps?

If so someone should get cracking on a flash version of the slimserver UI

-gwak

[MikeWynneDub]

Whatever about squeezing to select music, it would make an ideal tactile volume control method.

[Michaelwagner]

Some good URLs

Here are some quick URLs into their docs.

http://wiki.chumby.com/mediawiki/index.php/Main_Page

http://wiki.chumby.com/mediawiki/index.php/Main_Page#Hacking_the_chumby

they won't start shipping until sometime in the first quarter of next year (March 2007 expected).

http://wiki.chumby.com/mediawiki/index.php/Hacking_hardware_for_chumby

The Alpha chumby runs a modified linux 2.4.20 kernel.

http://wiki.chumby.com/mediawiki/index.php/Hacking_Linux_for_chumby

You program it using open laszlo for the flash, but it also has a python on it. They have a toolchain for it.

Oh, they say you can get your hands on a prototype if you have a sufficiently compelling ap for it.

Ben?

[Mark Lanctot]

http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=26888

Will the thing ever be available outside the U.S.? Nokia still doesn't sell the 770 in Canada and at this rate probably never will.

I'm also worried it will be a stillborn technology and die a quick death like so many other cool-gotta-have-it gadgets from new startups that never get off the drawing board.

The squeezeable interface is neat though. Squeezing to control a Squeezebox - heh.

[Michaelwagner]

We could always shuffle off to Buffalo.

[Mark Lanctot]

We could always shuffle off to Buffalo.

And organize a group buy! :-)

Although I wonder what the customs officials will say:

"You organized a trip just so you could buy a 'chumby' for your 'Squeezebox'? Come with me."

[Michaelwagner]

Well, we have a while to think up some good lines...general availability isn't until spring 2007 (unless you want to get a pre-production hand sample by filling in a clever answer to the question of why you deserve one).

[CardinalFang]

Well, we have a while to think up some good lines...general availability isn't until spring 2007 (unless you want to get a pre-production hand sample by filling in a clever answer to the question of why you deserve one).

Well I think being able to control another open source media device would go down well, although we can't all have one! If we could get a Flash based interface running well on the chumby I'd by one when they come out, a graphical remote is the missing element for me and if it were re-housed in a SB3-type enclosure for the Transporter and SB3 it would really add value to the product range, IMO. Plus it'd be sooooo much cheaper than the Sonos.

Perhaps Slim should blag one for internal use?

Paul

[Mark Lanctot]

If we could get a Flash based interface running well on the chumby I'd by one when they come out, a graphical remote is the missing element for me and if it were re-housed in a SB3-type enclosure for the Transporter and SB3 it would really add value to the product range, IMO.

Yes, they are very open on their site about being able to use a custom enclosure with it and strongly encourage this.

A nice brushed alumimum enclosure with rounded edges like the SB3 - oooooh! (Shows up fingerprints real nice though).

Perhaps Slim should blag one for internal use?

I wish they would!

[CardinalFang]

A nice brushed alumimum enclosure with rounded edges like the SB3 - oooooh! (Shows up fingerprints real nice though).

Hmmm... aluminium isn't that squeezable though! You would need to have a soft surface on the top to adjust volume, although a black rubber enclosure would be cool, it wouldn't break when you dropped it and it can be moulded to give it a really cool look.

It's crying out to be set into furniture though, how about a remote installed into the arm of a chair? :-)

Paul

[Michaelwagner]

It's crying out to be set into furniture though, how about a remote installed into the arm of a chair? :-)

I like that idea, but it has limited power, I gather. Only runs for an hour on batteries. At least I think that's what someone said. Unconfirmed, of course.

[bklaas]

Personally, I think this thing looks like a piece-o-crap, but here's a recent post on ehomeupgrade for all you chumbylovers:

http://www.ehomeupgrade.com/entry/2997/hands-on_with_chumby

cheers,
#!/ben

[CardinalFang]

Personally, I think this thing looks like a piece-o-crap

Now don't be evasive, tell me what you really thnk :-) I agree, out of the box, it looks a bit cheap 'n' nasty, but I'm intersted in the customisation potential. I'd rehouse it myself into a black leather case. As for power, you could probably build a cradle with a bit of engineering.

The problem we face is that devices like the Nokia 770 will cease manufacturing before too long and will be hard to get in the future.

Paul

[Mark Lanctot]

Oh oh, it uses a 9V battery and (apparently) burns it up in an hour?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/33515138@N00/230076721/

Although you'd obviously get an NiMH for that sucker, it would be in the charger more often than out. And if you don't have any way to charge it from outside it would be open more often than not.

I was under the impression this was a portable device, but now it's looking like the battery is just provided for backup much like the clock radio it's intended to replace, and that the device is designed to be on mains power at all times.

Dealbreaker?