The £150 device is a rebranded version of OpenPeak’s OpenFrame device, which is powered by an Intel Atom processor and has a large high-resolution touchscreen. However, it is much more than a normal digital picture frame.
It can run a range of applications, although O2 has chosen to restrict the choice by creating a ‘walled garden’. This is because the emphasis of the Joggler is as a product used by the whole family. Services will include news, sport, weather, traffic information and details on events at The O2. You can also use it to view pictures, video and listen to music – with media stored on the 1GB of internal memory, or streamed (using uPnP) from a PC.
The O2 Joggler will retail for £149.99 when it goes on sale in April
The Joggler will also support the new O2 Calendar service, which allows family members to manage their daily life – and, as long as they are on O2, manage the calendar by SMS and receive alerts/reminders. The free calendar can also be accessed from any website and is available to everyone, not just O2 subscribers.
Although the OpenFrame version allows third party applications and even VoIP, O2 has no intention of allowing this for the time being – but the network will be constantly reviewing the services offered and plan to roll-out new features in the future, such as ordering a pizza, getting recipes (with the assumption being that this will fit perfectly in the kitchen) and doing online shopping. New applications, as well as updates, can be done automatically over the Internet.
It also doubles up as a bedside clock, which is where we think this would be perfectly situated – allowing easy checking of news, weather and traffic information before heading off to work.
The device is expected to be on sale in O2 stores and via the website from the 6th April and it can be taken as part of a new contract, or in lieu of a handset on an upgrade. A broadband connection (Wi-Fi or wired) is required for the Joggler to operate, as it does not use the mobile network. It is also of a fixed design, meaning it can only be used on its stand – not wall mounted.
