Email Only Device
from the too-simple? dept
MailStation is releasing a device who's only purpose is to check email. My first reaction is that it's just a bit too simplistic. I guess, however, there may be a market for some people who just want to do email. I could definitely see this becoming more popular in the older generation who just want to stay in touch with their grandkids. Might turn out to be a competitor for WebTV in that space. Picture's here.
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Bad form factor by Vincent Yin on Jun 16th, 1999 @ 3:45am
The problem with a device like this is that it just isn't versatile enough. Why not get an older PDA or handheld computer that is the same size but does much more (admitedly at a higher price point). The device only allows five e-mail accounts and no attachments.
If it is meant as a simple device for seniors etc., then shouldn't they provide a better, larger screen? I can't see who this is targetted to.
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Excellent Point by Mike on Jun 16th, 1999 @ 1:18pm
I agree. When you think about it, the screen is way too small. My grandfather complains about the size of a 19" monitor saying it's way too small compared to the big TV he uses with WebTV. To be honest, when I was first about to post the story about the device I thought it was a portable, which led to a whole different set of thoughts. It was only after I looked it up and saw the picture that I realized it's not a portable. There are reasons why a portable email checking device would be cool, but soon enough that'll just be bundled in with all the PDA's. The PalmVII is close, and I'm sure it'll get there soon enough.
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e mail only device by bob on Jul 29th, 2005 @ 4:41pm
i was asked to see if any such device existed. from your post, i see that there are. he is of the 'older generation', and hates (actually fears) computer technologies. he does know many people whom he likes to keep in touch, and they use e mail. so he said to me that he 'saw a device that was e mail only'. could you find out for me?'
brands and where i could find them would be helpful. thanks.
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Re: e mail only device by Mary Ballantyne on Jan 3rd, 2006 @ 6:14pm
I am also VERY anxious to get an email only device Can you send me brand names and where I can buy one? My friend got a V-tech one at Radio Shack a couple years ago, but V-tech no longere makes the product and Radio Shack doesn't have anything like it. Any info you can send me would be VERY helpful Thanks. Mary
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email only device by Judy on Oct 18th, 2006 @ 5:41pm
My sister has had two strokes. A couple of years ago I bought her a Mailstation from OfficeMax. They no longer carry them and I'd like to get her the 350 model for sending and receiving photos. I'm just sick that I can't find such a thing.
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email only device by William Camp on Jan 7th, 2007 @ 3:33pm
I NEED an email device only. NEED it for my wife. In the past 15 years have gotten a desktop for her and about 4 years ago got her a laptop. She never learned to use either. All she wants to do is email. THAT MAKES ME HER EMAIL SECRETARY.
Therefore she needs a emiail only device and I NEED ONE FOR HER !!! Where can I get one ???
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VTech / MailStation by Mark Zieg on Jan 11th, 2007 @ 3:02pm
A friend linked me to this thread...actually, I used to work on the VTech PostBox product line.
As to the earlier posters who felt such appliances lack flexibility or power or screensize...well, duh! Those people weren't in our target market. That's like asking a network admin for their opinion of AOL accounts.
In contrast, there ARE a lot of people for whom such idiot-proof and low-cost devices make a lot of sense. I gave a VTech PostBox to my grandmother (age 80+), and when the company finally went out of business 5 years later (hardware still working fine, probably on the original AA batteries), she asked me to buy her a competing look-a-like MailStation as a replacement. She's still happily using it with an ancient compatible inkjet we found on eBay.
This was, and is, a valid and underrepresented niche. It's too bad the new AppleTV doesn't do email (does it?), else I'd probably buy her one of those :-)
BTW, in related "web appliance" functionality, check out the Philips digital picture frames. They're a great way to "send" a colorful (and updatable, via SD) website to a techno-challenged relative!
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email internet acess for grandmother by Tracer on Jan 15th, 2007 @ 9:27am
I know i saw (awhile back) a small "laptop" like device that could get u on the internet and send receive email easily. Now I cant find anything like that My "older" mother is a very non-tech type but i would like her to be able to have email access and get on the web. Can anyone help me find the right device
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Email Only Devices by TommyTime on Oct 1st, 2007 @ 7:38pm
I have recently been doing some research for an older gentlemen I work with. He wants a PORTABLE or SEMI-PORTABLE device that... 1-does email only, no internet for fear of viruses and his addictive personality to surf the web/gambling sites; 2-has a full size keyboard; 3-has spell check; 4-has a decent sized display for ease of viewiing/reading emails; 5-is reasonably priced under $300 (plus $10 a month for service is OK); and 6-has a word processor with spell check to keep a daily journal or possibly start writing a book. He does not want a laptop or desktop and a PDA's keyboard is too small. Anyone know of such a device that meets ALL 6 requirements?
Here is a list of products I have found that will do most, but not ALL of the requirements. Some of these might help for some of you that had posted earlier asking about which devices would be good for certain applications. I am not sure which, if any, of these are still in business, but you can try to research each.
1-Mailstation
2-MailBug
3-eMessage
4-WebTv
5-MSNTv
6-V-Tech PostBox
These are all I have found so that will do email only. But none of these fit ALL of the requirements listed above.
The Alphasmart Dana Wireless will do emails and has a word processor with spell checker along with some alot of other features - it is basically a lower quality PDA. It also has a full sized keyboard and wi-fi capabilities. At $420, the price is a little high and a person would either have to go to a wi-fi hotspot to check emails (may not be convenient for an elderly person) or hookup a wireless router at home which may not even be possible if the person does not have a computer to hook a router to. I am really leaning towards getting him a really cheap laptop and deleting (or hiding) all internet access, games, and any other applications he would not need and just leaving email and a cheap word processor program (with spell check) capabilites.
I am still researching but I hope this info helps some other people out there.
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Re: Re: e mail only device by Pat Brien on Dec 18th, 2007 @ 11:50am
Hello Mary,
I got your name from a web site with comments about an e-mail only machine and you had inquired about where to get one. Did you ever get one??? I am also looking for one simple to use and with a large screen for my sister-in-law who can't talk and doesn't see well and can't get the hang of her computer. Any advice for me?? A friend has a Mailbug by Landel and I am in touch with them, but wonder if anything else is available. I also wonder if their monthly service is satisfactory.
Thanks for any help, patbrien@charter.net
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