Chumby

Once upon the dotcom boom, 3Com announced a product called Audrey. Audrey was to be an internet device that would sit in your kitchen, and which you would use to do little online tasks. It would cost about $499

Easy to use, very capable hardware, open-source hardware and software, extremely hackable and expandable

Low resolution screen, touch screen is slightly unresponsive

There’s room for improvement but the Chumby is a very capable device in its own right. However, software and hardware hacks from users will make the Chumby all the more fun and useful.

Port Authority: SD and CF slots, two USBs and a 3.5mm headphone jack. Handles Flash. Doubles as a killer night-light. Hardware also available in red. 1500+ pre-stocked apps, including Facebook, Twitter, Pandora, Wired.com (huzzah!), Reddit Headlines...

0 more expensive than it should be, even after its recent price drop. Bulky hardware. No internal battery. Dull screen. Setup was long and laborious and required entering a 31-digit code online. Dearth of content: The only dating app is Craigslist...

User interface is the best Chumby has made ; Larger, higher-res screen is far more practical than the One ; Access to all 1,300-odd Chumby apps already available

Simple, basic design belies Chumby’s fun-loving image ; Weak sound quality ; Resistive display

As it always has been with Chumby, the Chumby 8 is a curiosity and a fun toy for the geekiest among us

Cool design ; Tons of fun

Power is supplied by an AC adapter that must be plugged in

The Chumby is an amazing little device that can do a whole lot in a little bean bag package. This bean bag is a whole lot of fun and has some pretty functional applications and widgets as well. With the ability to tell time, predict the weather, play...