A Litl Bit
When I use a computer, I'm often doing multiple things at once. A few windows and applications open, lots and lots of processes, and squeezing out every last ounce of power at any given time. I was surprised when I came across litl, a new Boston-based upstart that is hoping to redefine the computer.
The packaging explains its mission:
Inside you will find an internet computer, not a laptop. We believe computers have become too complex. We hit the reset button by designing an experience different than a PC. Simplicity over features. Design over options. Entertainment not just work. Sounds like a lot, but actually it's a litl.
Rather than make another computer, they managed to create a very innovative little web-based laptop. The industrial design is absolutely gorgeous—it is simple, yet functional. Removing extra keys from the keyboard, offering an easel mode, using a remote from far away that mimics the on-board content scroll-knob are just a few little touches. The actual computing hardware is pretty standard for most netbook-type devices (Atom processor, a bit of RAM, flash memory for storage), and many may argue that it is a bit expensive for something with those specs. That isn't really the point.
What really impresses me is that they managed to create an entirely new operating system for this notebook. In an article in Fast Company, we get to see the litl in action. It is a rather impressive design, but I am curious how it actually works in day-to-day use. I suspect that the operating system will be very single-process-oriented, which isn't necessarily a bad thing (the iPhone has proven that).
I think once real reviewers get their hands on these, and maybe if there is some sort of retail deal we could see this take off. The litl reminds me of many "appliance" computers of the 1980s where the idea was to get away from the grips of MS-DOS and IBM. Although I'm not comparing this to the original Macintosh, the Commodore Amiga, or the Atari ST (three computers designed around completely new operating systems that tied in with their hardware), it is nice to see someone in the computer industry willing to take risks.