Get REDFLY for $199
Written by: Kirt Bailey
Celio Corp is running a seed unit program offering REDFLY to enterprise customers and individual users for just $199 - but only for a few weeks. That’s 50% off the normal MSRP of $399! After October 31, 2008 the price on the REDFLY will return to $399.
Why on earth are we doing this?
Well, a bunch of us were sitting around the conference room table early this week discussing how once someone actually tries a REDFLY for a few hours, they just don’t want to give it back. We also find that once someone has a REDFLY in their hands, they tend to do a lot of word-of-mouth marketing for us.
So, we thought, “Why don’t we take part of the marketing budget for a few weeks to subsidize a special seed program? That way we can get a large number of units out into the market, seed some mobile enthusiasts and get them to help spread the word by showing REDFLY to people.”
We’ve done just that. We have set aside a large (but very finite) number of REDFLYs for this special program. They’re sitting on palettes right now in the warehouse ready to ship.
Visit http://www.getredfly.com to grab one right now or to get more info.
If you’re new to REDFLY, take this 3-minute tour to learn more.
To quote Matthew Miller, you may want to “run, don’t walk” and get one before we burn through the limited number of units for this special program.
Thanks for reading,
Kirt Bailey
President and CEO
Celio Corp
September 25th, 2008 at 5:36 pm
Unfortunately, according to most potential users on the dozens of PPC websites… even at $200, it’s still twice what most would be willing to pay - including myself.
September 25th, 2008 at 9:18 pm
This looks like a great product. I ordered one today at the special seed price. I am looking forward to using it. I won’t have to work on the tiny screen on my phone. Too good to be true.
Thanks.
September 25th, 2008 at 11:03 pm
Great. I just bought mine a whole week too early. Oh well, I still love it.
September 25th, 2008 at 11:44 pm
@David,
We’ll take care of anyone who has purchased a unit in the last week or so. I just emailed you. If the email gets stuck in a spam filter and you don’t receive it, call me personally at 801-478-4789 and we’ll take care of it.
@Matthew,
Thanks for the love.
@Eric,
Sorry to hear you feel that way. People either get it or don’t get it; love it or hate it. Most of the haters haven’t actually used one however. But we’ve never claimed REDFLY is perfect for everyone. Read some comments from people who have actually used it at http://celiocorp.com/testimonials/ or scan the forum posts at http://discussion.wmexperts.com/forumdisplay.php?f=206
September 25th, 2008 at 11:56 pm
I’d love to buy one at this special price but unfortunately you’re not supporting the T-Mobile Wing yet
I hope you have a special when you finally support my phone.
September 26th, 2008 at 11:35 pm
Mike
I use the Redfly with my HP 6945. They have a generic driver that works (call support). No Bluetooth. But the USB works great
September 27th, 2008 at 2:38 am
It’s really unfortunate situation that redfly cannot be bought from Japan.
Amazon don’t ship redfly to Japan, that’s why.
Is there any problem in your side?
Since this announcent, many people talk about Redfly…
September 27th, 2008 at 9:00 am
We are going to order 2-3 units even though we dont have WM phnes yet. We are currently using Palm treo’s with palm OS.
This price break is just too great to pass on. The phone issue will take care of itself when the Palm TreoPro is released on CDMA
We see the vision and benifits the product offeres
September 27th, 2008 at 7:25 pm
@ Colin. I don’t doubt that the product is good, but as a device that simply acts as a screen viewer (no cpu, memory, etc.) it’s expensive.
I would love to see the Redfly software available to run on Laptops, EeePC’s, etc. I’d pay for that.
September 29th, 2008 at 5:26 pm
Hello,
I would love to get one of this.
Can you please advise if the current drivers support HTC Touch Diamond?
Thank you.
September 30th, 2008 at 4:12 am
Why doesn’t it come with a TrackPoint also (UltraNAV). I’m willing to pay up 50 buck more for a device with a TrackPoint which will give me much more usability see below:
1. Never have to carry and connect an external mouse device to the Redfly - which is the main argument for the touchpad freaks
2. Don’t stress you hand and wrest to avoid accidental touching of the touchpad.
3. I can use my Redfly on the road as passenger in the car or on the train or airplane.
September 30th, 2008 at 5:01 am
Too bad, the amazon.com offer didn’t ship to europe. I contacted sales@redfly but for some reason my mail never got answered…. I was really looking forward to use this device in my consulting company.
September 30th, 2008 at 7:02 am
The DAY I talk about this with my friends and say “Hey… I love the idea.. and as a blogger.. i’d LOVE to do a live blog from a concert or something… but my tilt just isn’t too fun to do it on. The Red Fly is PERFECT.. but I can’t justify the cost… ”
then he tells me about this sale. I’m ordering mine next week!!!! I PROMISE.. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE DON’T RUN OUT!!! LOL. I’m SO excited about getting my red fly. I tell ALL my techy friends!
September 30th, 2008 at 7:05 am
@Eric. Thats true… it’s simply a screen and keyboard add on… oh.. and adds usb storage support… oh.. AND have a vga out port for monitors or projectors.. OH AND adds usb keyboard and mouse support…
man.. for $200 THAT’S A GREAT ADD ON!!!! I DO think the value will be different for every possible buyer. for me.. I type a LOT on my phone and do spreadsheets regularly…. doing spreadsheets on a 4 inch screen = “i’ll just wait until i get home.. uuuugh”. LOL.
I would LOVE to get my hands on this device. going from all of the reviews i’ve read.. i’m going to love it. I can’t WAIT to get mine.
September 30th, 2008 at 8:05 am
2 more things (besides the fact that i talk too much)
Nod’s to eric on releasing the software for the redfly. One reason people don’t want to buy that I’ve talked to.. is they fail to see the point in a WHOLE SEPERATE peice of hardware that’s JUST FOR THE PHONE. I personally see the value because i use my phone a LOT.. other people do not. If Celio sold the software seperately… woooow. that would be GREAT! I’d still prefer to have the smaller more portable red fly over lugging my 15″ laptop around.
and secondly…
would redfly ever consider talking to carriers about selling the redfly in the cell phone store sites? let them handle the advertising and make the devices available to the public. it’s a niche crowd i think, but i think marketing to it professionals that service businesses kinda limits things a little. maybe make a consumer version (ya know.. bright colors and faceplates or something. LOL) and market it as a GREAT add on for texting web browsing and such for high school and college students who can’t afford an $800 laptop but already may have a WM smartphone. There’s a rise in the sales of smartphones (ONE thing good that came from the iphone). I’m not sure how much of that is windows mobile phones.. but i’m sure there’s a rise there too. all it takes is one college student in a classroom at an university with a good IT program and instant hit!
thoughts?
October 1st, 2008 at 9:35 am
@Mike.
Sorry, we don’t have any current plans to support the Wing.
October 1st, 2008 at 9:37 am
@mako-j and Bas,
Amazon should be set to take REDFLY orders for Europe and Japan very soon. Contact sales@celiocorp.com (not sales@redfly.com) or call 1-888-4REDFLY and you can place an order directly today through us.
October 1st, 2008 at 9:54 am
@Eric and Brian,
The REDFLY hardware was very purposely designed for companies or individuals who specifically don’t want the hassle or higher TCO of another device with an OS and hard drive to image, manage or maintain (including the purchase of additional software licenses for another device). Instead the idea was to give people an extension to the phone’s OS and apps when needed. Many members of the mobile workforce (but certainly not everyone) can reduce or eliminate the need for a laptop (especially on short trips or work in the field) if given a larger screen and keyboard to better use the apps already on their phones. As we sell more units and are able to scale production, we should be able to over time bring the cost down to make it a more attractive solution to people with the above needs.
Now, we defiantly understand there are many people who don’t mind the extra time and money to buy software licenses and manage an OS/hard drive on a netbook, UMPC, laptop etc and need to carry a full-blown standalone device with them all the time. We certainly do see the value for these people to be able to run some sort of software version of the REDFLY technology on these types of devices and may in the future offer some sort of app for these types of users (Windows and/or Linux). I can’t make any announcements or promises yet, but we’ll be sure to post here and through other channels if/when a software version is officially planned.
Thanks for your ideas and input, we love any kind of feedback.
October 1st, 2008 at 10:01 am
@Stanul
We are working on HTC Touch Diamond and Touch Pro drivers. No promises yet, but we hope to have Alpha drivers soon and Beta drivers sometime before the end of the year.
October 1st, 2008 at 2:34 pm
Here in the UK, the Redfly @ UKP127 is already in the the top 10 selling items. So there is a lot of pent-up demand there
October 1st, 2008 at 2:35 pm
Oops…I should have said top 10 items at Expansys….
October 2nd, 2008 at 1:00 am
for those living in the UK and Europe, the redfly is now availaible from expansys.co.uk at the reduced price.
http://www.expansys.com/p.aspx?i=164172
i just ordered one at 130 pounds delivered!
October 2nd, 2008 at 11:58 am
Just got mine.. I’ve been playing for an hour or so now and let me just saw.
AWESOME. This is a very nice and handy device. I’ll be writing reviews for 2 or 3 blogsites soon!
October 3rd, 2008 at 6:02 am
Please can you do something about the appallingly bulky and unreliable PSU - see post here
http://discussion.wmexperts.com/showthread.php?t=171126
October 3rd, 2008 at 3:38 pm
I just got my Redfly a few days ago. You guys should have shipped info cards with it for me to hand out. I used it in the doctor’s waiting room, and the doctor wanted info. I used it in a Starbucks later the same day, and couldn’t get anything done for people asking me about it.
Send me info cards. I’ll hand them to people who enquire about the device.
P.S. Is there a keyboard membrane we can use? That and a touch screen are the only two things I wish I had available. Everything else is great — I love this device.
October 6th, 2008 at 7:54 am
This one great add on device. I am the owner of Fly’em High Rockets we sell rocket and engines at launch site out in the middle of no where. This mobile compianion is a great add on now when we accept credit cards from my phone I dont have to have the customers look at the small screen on the phone they can now look at the larger screen. Also makes it easier to enter in the credit card information with less mistakes. Make answering all of your eamils while oput of the office it will greatly reduce me having to carry my laptop to all the rockets launches what a great load taken off. Thanks for making such a great unit, and at this new low seed price it is a steal. Any one who has something negetive to say about this product has not used this device and are just repeating what they have been told or read, I would like to see more video support and speakers so I can listen to my music while working and watch movies. Thanks once again keep up the great work. P.S. This was typed while using the Redfly I would not have this much of a comment if I had to just use the phone.
October 8th, 2008 at 10:50 am
@ Donna,
Thanks for the comments, I just emailed you and will send you some product info cards.
@Metoo,
I just left another comment on the WMexperts thread regarding the power supply.
October 8th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
Bought 2 this week for some R&D @ our company. The CIO said if it had BlackBerry support he take it right now. Any updates on when to expect BB support?
October 8th, 2008 at 11:32 pm
I would love to have some info cards also at the I Hobby Expo ther will be alot of talk about this unit when they see me acepting credit cards sales with this unit. I had to wait at the bank today and I had to answere some emails so i used my redfly unit there while at the bank the account talked my head off asking about the redfly unit and he went to your website while I was still at the bank so I would more then love to pass out the information to every one I come in contact with. Especially the buzz at the vendors at the I hobby Expo next week in Chicargo.
October 10th, 2008 at 4:58 am
The reduced price is making this thing look VERY attractive indeed. If you look at my blog, probably around 50% or so of my entries are written using my T-Mobile (UK) MDA Vario III. This is just a branded HTC TyTN II - any confirmation that the Redfly will work with it? If so, I want one now.
Even more attractive, of course, would be a free one! I’ll happily plug away with such a useful device, and I’m sure I’d make an excellent salesman.
October 11th, 2008 at 4:54 pm
I wish there was a list, or picture, of the standard accesories that ship with the Red Fly. I am purely guessing, but I suspect charger, USB cable, CD, Manual. But I wish they posted exactly what you get for the bargain price of $199.99
October 12th, 2008 at 9:47 pm
I’m in a wierd situation. I’m not only a computer tech running a part time business, but I’m also a student studying for the CCNA. If this were cheaper or even a permanent drop, I’d be completely excited. But as it is, my business isn’t doing as well as I’d like and the school keeps me paying fees left and right. Ironically, if I had the device, I could use it on client sites and I could also use it at school. My laptop is heavy and the power jack (typical!) is loose. Therefore something like this could be my Godsend. Is there any plans on giving educational discounts or something related to that?
October 13th, 2008 at 10:03 pm
Just placed my order on Amazon based on the reviews I’ve read. I provide tech support - much of it web based - and in the support world, I can’t always know I’ll be called in a wifi hot spot. My tilt does the job, but this would make me so much more effective
As far as the price point - here’s how I justfified it. New spare standard battery for my tilt ~$50.00 (yes, I know I can get some on ebay for less, but…. no clue on the quality). Spare battery charger - 20-30. Bluetooth keyboard - ~100.00. Aspirin for the headaches reading e-mail on the tilt - lets just say lots. Standing straight again because I’m not lugging my laptop everywhere - priceless. At $200.00 - its a no brainer for me. Here’s hoping the reviews are accurate (I have no doubt).
October 15th, 2008 at 9:36 pm
@Lee,
You should be fine with any flavor of the TyTN II.
October 15th, 2008 at 9:43 pm
@ Todd,
You’re right and that’s our mistake. We need to more clearly list what’s “in the box” on a few more areas of our site. The contents of the box have not changed for the promo pricing - all contents are the same. The box contains a wall charger (plus UK/EU power adapters if you buy it overseas); a fabric protective sleeve; a quick start guide (includes instructions for downloading drivers and user’s manual); a tip sheet for a better REDFLY experience; and warranty information. We do not include a USB cable since you need a USB cable that is compatible with your particular smartphone’s USB connector type (there are many different types in use today). You can use the USB cable that came with your phone model.
October 15th, 2008 at 9:50 pm
@ Steven,
We don’t offer a student discount yet. We do have a referral program (with some pretty serious criteria) that offers a free unit if you can provide us with a certain amount of qualified enterprise leads (I just emailed you the details).
Also, don’t forget you can enter once a month for a chance to win a free REDFLY and your choice of smartphone. See http:www.celiocorp.com/win for details and to enter the monthly drawing.
October 16th, 2008 at 10:01 pm
my Red Fly arrived yesterday. First impressions: well constructed, the ruberized surface is a major plus (if put on a non-level surface, it stayes in place), PAINLESS install, only install challenge was finding the setting for “Enable advanced networks functionality” (start,settings,connections, usb to PC). Noteworthy detractor: the unit got very hot in the area of the power connector when it was origionally put on the charger, I suspect this could be rectified by a larger barrel connector and a switch mode regulator charging circuit. The charger is rated (current limited) to 2.5 amps, with 9V output. This would indicate about 3 Watts(3.7V per cell with 3.9 peak charging V per cell for 7.8 peak charging voltage for two cells with 9 Volts applied at 2.5 amps of current) of heat must be dissapated between the plug and the battery during heavy charging.
Now away from the electronics calculations, and on to practical questions. It would be AWESOME to have a list of software that has been tested with the Red Fly. The list may need to include statements like “works with all phones, works with the following phones, works with all phones except”. For example video and camera does not work with the 8525, PocketCalc numeric display becomes corrupted with the Red Fly on the 8525, Pocket DOS suffers periodic lockups and resets with the 8525, Powder, Distant Galaxies, cause blank screen with the 8525, Google Maps scales to full screen and works wonderfully with the 8525, Nethack plays well and requires no more scrolling to navigate the full map, helpful quick-tap icons dissapear, but are not critical for play, Mobile Mines is centered, and plays well, but does not significantly scale to the full size of the Red Fly screen, Internet Explorer is a bit slow, but stable and seeing your entire web page is great, Opera Mini (java applet) is astounding on the 8525, CE Total Commander makes excellent use of the extra real estate. Tweaks2k has some minor visual errors, but does not prevent the program from being used, ClearVue PDF works very well and makes good use of the extra screen, Word and Excel works well with the Red FLY, PowerPoint presentations have some notable errors in the display, which would prevent the slides from being shown in a public venue, VSpainter LE crashes burns and does its best to lock up the system, Windows Media player does not scale to the full screen, but otherwise works great. Well that is a partial list of what I have discovered with an (HTC) Cingular/ATT 8525 with Mobile 6.x running on it. I hope this helps some. A full webpage dedicated to a works/noworkie would be instructive to many people. Todd
October 21st, 2008 at 5:41 pm
Colin, I seriously respect your plan - spend some of the marketing budget on getting actual devices out there instead of on glossy ads.
October 21st, 2008 at 7:44 pm
We ordered one unit and after only 2 days of having it to try with our new Palm Treo 800w we decided it was just the thing we were looking for. A perfect match of portability. So, we promptly ordered another unit from Amazon.com.
I just received a confirmation that the unit was shipped from K. Kennedy at Celio. I still do not have a WM phone but I could not pass up on this super deal while I wait for the TreoPro.
October 22nd, 2008 at 3:04 am
I really see the value of this product, and would love to buy now that the price has come down (I saw the previous price as acceptable so the reduction is a bonus).
The problem is that I have a HTC Touch, and id go as far to say that driver releases are unacceptably slow. I love the idea that I can change phone and keep the same Redfly device, but dislike the fact that i’ll have to wait (up to/over) 6 months for it to work properly!
October 22nd, 2008 at 3:05 am
Sorry, that should have said HTC Touch Diamond.
October 25th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
Bad news, the UK price at http://www.expansys.com has risen from £127 to £160 in about 3 weeks. In part this increase is a result of the weak £ but the $199 price is not really translating very well.