Back when we first started hearing about the Foleo, and the term "mobile companion" was new, I didn't get it. So when Celio contacted us about the RedFly, I was curious. I wanted to see a mobile companion first-hand - so I could figure out what the point was.

When I received the package with the RedFly, I opened it with less than enthusiasm. I pulled the device out, and I still didn't get it. But I dug in regardless. And the funny thing is, after about 15 minutes I suffered from an "oh my God" moment, because, then, I got it.

We all love to point out that we can do everything we need for business on our smartphones: email, web browsing, spreadsheets, text documents, etc. The only reason most of us still lug around a laptop is that we can't type out lengthy documents on the keyboard of a Treo (heaven knows you can't do it on a smartphone without a qwerty keyboard!). And of course, we would all go blind in no time if forced to always view spreadsheets on a 2x2 screen.

So picture this, if you will. You're leaving on an overnight business trip. One night, one bag. You don't want to take your laptop – it's heavy and a pain going through security. But you need to review your PowerPoint presentation while you're on the plane, and you can't connect an LCD projector to your phone anyway. Here comes that moment of perfect clarity. You grab a RedFly from the supply room on your way to the airport. It doesn't matter which one, or who used it last because it is a blank slate. You leave your laptop at home, and you board the plane with the RedFly in your overnight bag, or in your coat pocket, because it's only about seven inches long. When you reach cruising altitude and the pilot allows you to use electronic devices, you plug your phone into the RedFly (which charges the device the whole time!). You set the Redfly on the tray table, have a comfortable keyboard and nice 7" screen, and can review the presentation, edit your accompanying report in Microsoft Word, and access your e-mail client. The presentation and your other documents reside on your SD card in the phone, where they are safe.

When you reach your destination, you repeat the process, only this time you plug the customer's LCD projector into the video output on the back of the Redfly and you make your presentation right from your cell phone!

I pointed out the fact that it didn't matter which Redfly you grabbed and that it's a blank slate for a few reasons. Unlike the ill-fated Foleo, the RedFly itself has no operating system. It is an extension of your smartphone. Attaching it is like stretching your mobile out so that you can use the keys comfortably for long periods of time and not go blind staring at the tiny screen. With no phone attached, it does nothing beyond giving you the RedFly logo. If it's not on your smartphone, it won't be on your RedFly. But this is the really special thing about the whole experience. You get five of them for the office. They don't get assigned to anyone in particular, cause they're not an every day use device. They are for business travel, and it doesn't matter who uses which one. Not only that, but if you lose it, it's not as big a deal as losing a laptop. Sure it's an expense, but think of the loss in data if you were to lose even a cheap laptop. If someone finds your RedFly, what they see is what they get.

I absolutely love the concept now that I finally get it. This is an especially intelligent choice for those companies who are already providing their employees with smartphones. Buy a better smartphone (perhaps the Treo 800w?) and spend less on laptops. Did I mention the battery life is phenomenal? You can run your RedFly for hours on a single charge, and keep your phone charged while using it. And this brings me back to my original disappointment: no Palm OS. Celio is, however, working on drivers for other as yet undisclosed operating systems.

Related Links

Direct Link to RedFly video on YouTube.

Celio Corp. Website