Tonight was one of those “WOW” nights where you just get to play with new technology and see what’s about to hit the retailers.  There is nothing like getting your hands on a really cool gadget and seeing how it could fit into everyday life.  One of the new gadgets that I saw at an HP training event tonight is HP’s new DreamScreen which offers a high resolution 16:9 screen.  Coming in 2 sizes, one sports a 10.2” screen while the other has a larger 13.3” screen.  So what does this little guy do?  Well, for starters, it can access web apps such as Snapfish, Facebook, Pandora, and more.  But of course there’s more, it can also access local weather, be a calendar, stream music, and play videos!  Did I mention it can also be an alarm clock?

So, let’s look at the specs:

• 2GB built in memory
• 802.11 b/g as well as 10/100 ethernet
• 6 in 1 card reader, a USB port
• Audio output ability
• Hi fidelity speakers
• Comes with a snazzy mini remote
• Wall mountable

As player formats where not mentioned, I decide to research it out.  According to PC World:

It supports multiple MPEG video formats; the JPEG, PNG and bitmap (BMP) photo file formats; and MP3, WMA, AAC and WAV audio formats.

So let’s look at a imaginary yet practical example of using something like this.  I have the unit wall mounted next to my closet.  Its built in alarm clock wakes me up and as I get dressed I can review my calendar as well as the weather.  After getting dressed, I dismount the device and take it with me to breakfast.  There while eating, I can check my Facebook as well as tune in to the latest news.  After finishing breakfast, I head to my commute for work.  While on the train, I’m able to watch some videos that I had prerecorded earlier.  Upon arriving at the office, I place it on my desk and it becomes my digital picture frame showing me photos of my friends and loved ones.

HP is really onto something here.  However as much as there is ”wow” to this gadget, there certainly are things that can be improved and implemented that would bring us from the broadband age to the “MediaNet” age.  Such things would include the ability pre-record shows rather than just have the ability to play videos.  Naturally the ability to browse the web would be another imperative feature.  With an opening price point at around $249 for the smaller and $299 for the larger model, it appears that this little unit is a bit limited in its abilities for the asking price.  Perhaps HP should make the DreamScreen a mini version of their upcoming 3rd generation TouchSmart PC where HP goes beyond a computer that is not only sexy and stylish, but also functional with a slew of applications that extend far beyond its Windows 7 foundation.  Using computers today, we demand more than just something that works.  What we want is a user experience that makes it unique.  Something that is simple, yet intuitive.  HP is on the right track as it is the only company I know right now that is providing customers with more than just hardware but also a software experience.  With that said, the DreamScreen seems to me as a glorified media player / picture frame that comes at a price where one can get something that does far more.

With that being said, who is this device for?

• People who want a lightweight multimedia player with a bigger screen than your Zunes and iPods.
• Users who demand more than just a simple image showing digital picture frame.
• Consumers that want a way to travel with small amounts of digital media content.

This device is not for:

• Those who are looking for a multi function device to get on the internet.
• People that have a slew of appointments – this thing’s calendar is not the easiest to use as it does not have a touch screen.
• Users needing to be able to play video out from a device to the TV.  (The DreamScreen can output audio via its audio out port, no video though).

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