Just in time for the holidays ... the "chumby one" embedded computer ($119.95, or $99.95 for insiders, plus shipping)

I'm not in any way associated with this manufacturer or their product, I just think it's cool enough to let the Fatwallet community in on it.

The chumby is a small embedded computer which provides Internet and LAN access via a Wi-Fi connection. Through this connection, the Chumby runs various software widgets. The product normally sells for $119.95, but there's a limited time offer of $99.95 for "chumby insiders" (shipping is extra).

From the manufacturer's website:

chumby takes your favorite parts of the Internet and delivers them to you in a friendly, always-on, always-fresh format. It's a window into your Internet life that lives outside your desktop, so content like weather, news, celebrity gossip, podcasts, music, and more has a place to play away from your world of documents and spreadsheets. Just plug in your chumby, connect to your wireless network, and use your computer to create a lineup of favorites from over 1,500 widgets in more than 30 categories, with new ones arriving all the time. Then let your chumby do its thing — streaming everything you like, from sports scores to stock quotes, from video clips to interactive games, from photos to trivia.

Linky

Web site does not play in my web browser (Google Chrome). That does not bode well for a supposed high-tech internet device.

I seem to remember a few years ago people selling very similar devices for mounting in the kitchen. They didn't sell well and ended up orphaned technology.

The fact that these are battery powered and expected to last 1 hour on a charge makes them seem less than worthless to me. If you want a portable computer, why not spend the extra $80 and get a cheap netbook which will be much more flexible and have a bigger display and be altogether more useful. If you want a simple "appliance", it seems like permanent mounting in a location like a kitchen would be more useful.

It's the Audrey come back to life.

Thanks OP - I had not heard of this before.

It looks interesting and there are some good reviews for the original Chumby, but who the heck really needs one of this things? C'mon, who can explain why anyone would really need this thing?

Better yet, explain it to my better half, 'cause I just ordered one.

BTW - they are currently back-ordered. Mine is expected to ship 11/25.

fsiphoto said: It's the Audrey come back to life.

+1

it's not the worst idea- seems sort of interesting actually. For 500 back in the 90s it was crazy, for 200 for the prior version it was so-so, but now at close to $100, it seems pretty cool. You could put pandora at work or something- pretty neat.

Reminds me of the now defunct i-Opener. It was a $99 device. Knew a few people that worked there from 1999-2002 while the company was in business.

I have a Chumby. It's got games, web information at a glance, streaming music, alarm functionality that can be pretty creative, usb charging for devices plugged into the Chumby. I've been very pleased with my original one at $200, so this is a great price

Looks like the Jitterbug phone for pc's

Cocheseuga said: johnny98 said: Might make sense as a fancy bedside alarm clock for the nerd who needs to have their e-mail and Facebook updates in the middle of the night.

Actually, that would be really cool. Not so much for the FB, but for instant weather and the like.

Isn't that what the iPhone's for?

1lossir said: Cocheseuga said: johnny98 said: Might make sense as a fancy bedside alarm clock for the nerd who needs to have their e-mail and Facebook updates in the middle of the night.

Actually, that would be really cool. Not so much for the FB, but for instant weather and the like.

Isn't that what the iPhone's for?

Touché. I have a decent clock with an iPhone dock, but I think it would still be cool.

johnny98 said: Web site does not play in my web browser (Google Chrome). That does not bode well for a supposed high-tech internet device.

Hmm. Worked fine /w chrome for me. And for $200, nahhh ... but for $100 I decided it was a little expensive - but would make a good present.

I have had my Chumby for couple years. I have it on the kitchen counter.
Can quickly read email, check the weather, stocks etc. with the widgets.
Very useful device.
Now if I can get the Chuck Norris daily "quotes" off there without my son finding out.