If you are interested in running a powerful, Java based office solution on your mobile Internet device (MID), check this presentation of Thinkfree Office Mobile MID Edition at CTIA:
Another great product from Thinkfree, provider of the most innovative online and offline office solution – and a tough competitor of Google and the GoogleApps solution (actually I think that Google will have a hard time to competing with Thinkfree in the long run, since Java is the much better technology for building an office solution than Ajax and GoogleGears).
The technical requirements for Thinkfree Office Mobile MID Edition are:
- Operating system: Linux (e.g. Midinux, Ubuntu Mobile edition), Windows XP/Vista
- Java: J2SE 5 or higher
- HDD drive: 70MB
- RAM: 128MB or higher
- WVGA screen (800X480, 1024X600)
I’ve been testing Thinkfree Office (the standard edition) on Intel Atom 270 CPUs (1.6 Ghz), and the software felt very responsive and good. As much as I like the idea of open standards and open source software, I’ve had too many experiences with OpenOffice choking on the proprietary Microsoft formats. Thinkfree Office works much better for me, and the fact that’s is written in Java was one of the best decisions Thinkfree could make. I’ve heard that Oracle has plans to integrate OpenOffice with other Java-based products into a powerful SAAS office solution, but I’ve the feeling that the company is still far from having a product ready for the consumer and business market.
Personally I’m still working on a MacbookPro, a heavy notebook to carry around with you every day. I’ve thought about buying a netbook with Intel Atom CPU, and would love to get one of the Fujitsu Netbooks with Thinkfree Office pre-installed – but they are unfortunately only available in Asia. I’d still use the MacbookPro for my software development work, but would use the netbook on business trips where I just need access to email, an office solution and some simple programs.
