Comments on: Rovio Mobile Webcam Review http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/11/04/rovio_mobile_webcam_review/ Gadget reviews and news by Julie Strietelmeier and friends since 1997 Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:02:17 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: francois fasbender http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/11/04/rovio_mobile_webcam_review/comment-page-1/#comment-95146 francois fasbender Mon, 03 Jan 2011 12:23:05 +0000 #comment-95146 if you want high quality for a such device, you must paid at least 600 USD. You cannot get acceptable mix between wifi, networking, image and RC stuffs for only 200 usd.... if you want high quality for a such device, you must paid at least 600 USD. You cannot get acceptable mix between wifi, networking, image and RC stuffs for only 200 usd….

]]> By: eacraig http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/11/04/rovio_mobile_webcam_review/comment-page-1/#comment-63539 eacraig Mon, 24 May 2010 08:33:40 +0000 #comment-63539 WOW... Wish I had seen these reports before purchasing the REVIO. I have a fair amount of technical background but would be using this with a Macintosh system. I purchased about three months ago but have not opened the box yet. I cannot see how a company could get this far, including the really nice retail box with having only a 3-5 minutes of operation. Even 3-5 hours would seem short for me. I also wanted it for times when I am away from my home. I think the box will stay sealed and I will be looking for more information. This news is very disappointing. Reason: finding something with its advertised capabilities while working with a Macintosh! WOW… Wish I had seen these reports before purchasing the REVIO. I have a fair amount of technical background but would be using this with a Macintosh system. I purchased about three months ago but have not opened the box yet. I cannot see how a company could get this far, including the really nice retail box with having only a 3-5 minutes of operation. Even 3-5 hours would seem short for me. I also wanted it for times when I am away from my home. I think the box will stay sealed and I will be looking for more information. This news is very disappointing. Reason: finding something with its advertised capabilities while working with a Macintosh!

]]> By: Old Novice http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/11/04/rovio_mobile_webcam_review/comment-page-1/#comment-59572 Old Novice Fri, 02 Apr 2010 23:32:29 +0000 #comment-59572 Despite the warnings in the previous posts, there were enough positive reviews elsewhere on the web that I decided to indulge myself. I had no problems with configuring via the USB cable; after a couple of update cycles it was quite easy. However, the battery problem is unacceptable. After a dozen charge cycles it will only last 3 minutes or less. If they can send me a working replacement battery, I'm sure this will be a fun toy. If not, it is going back. Despite the warnings in the previous posts, there were enough positive reviews elsewhere on the web that I decided to indulge myself. I had no problems with configuring via the USB cable; after a couple of update cycles it was quite easy. However, the battery problem is unacceptable. After a dozen charge cycles it will only last 3 minutes or less. If they can send me a working replacement battery, I’m sure this will be a fun toy. If not, it is going back.

]]> By: mathieu http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/11/04/rovio_mobile_webcam_review/comment-page-1/#comment-42282 mathieu Tue, 01 Sep 2009 21:21:10 +0000 #comment-42282 Well, To me this Rovio is a bit hard to setup for a rookie in networking but with motivation and torough forum research it works pretty well. For the price, merely a third more than a regular IP network cam, it is really working well :) Battery problems can be solved with a good RC charger and doing a few battery cycling tweaking. The overall grade would be a B then, to get such a product you need to be a kind of early adopter ! cheers, Mathieu Well,

To me this Rovio is a bit hard to setup for a rookie in networking but with motivation and torough forum research it works pretty well.
For the price, merely a third more than a regular IP network cam, it is really working well :)
Battery problems can be solved with a good RC charger and doing a few battery cycling tweaking.
The overall grade would be a B then, to get such a product you need to be a kind of early adopter !
cheers,

Mathieu

]]> By: MakoKidd http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/11/04/rovio_mobile_webcam_review/comment-page-1/#comment-30727 MakoKidd Sat, 21 Feb 2009 01:59:39 +0000 #comment-30727 I bought one of these on Sunday (President's Day weekend) and charged it overnight. I too had my shared of difficulties getting it set up. I tried updating the firmware to the supposedly "stable" beta version 5.0 but could not get WPA or WPA2 to work on my network. I ended up restoring it to factory firmware v3.97 and using WEP. I "trained" it to find it's home base and got to play with it for about 5 or 10 minutes before the battery died. After several cycles of charging and attempting to use it, I ended up boxing it back up and returning it. IMHO this product is not ready for prime time. I'll wait until they have a solid Lithium Ion batteyr solution and more years of experience under their belts (if they can survive that long). Very disappointed, wasted my holiday day off. Mako Kidd Honolulu, HI I bought one of these on Sunday (President’s Day weekend) and charged it overnight. I too had my shared of difficulties getting it set up. I tried updating the firmware to the supposedly “stable” beta version 5.0 but could not get WPA or WPA2 to work on my network. I ended up restoring it to factory firmware v3.97 and using WEP. I “trained” it to find it’s home base and got to play with it for about 5 or 10 minutes before the battery died. After several cycles of charging and attempting to use it, I ended up boxing it back up and returning it. IMHO this product is not ready for prime time. I’ll wait until they have a solid Lithium Ion batteyr solution and more years of experience under their belts (if they can survive that long).

Very disappointed, wasted my holiday day off.

Mako Kidd
Honolulu, HI

]]> By: Steve http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/11/04/rovio_mobile_webcam_review/comment-page-1/#comment-28960 Steve Tue, 06 Jan 2009 03:55:38 +0000 #comment-28960 I just took my Rovio out of the box, charged it up and then ran the software in Vista - it bombed out at the wizard's opening screen. This was the latest setup direct from their support site. I'll try it tomorrow in AdHoc mode from a laptop with WiFi. So far I am not impressed - sigh... I just took my Rovio out of the box, charged it up and then ran the software in Vista – it bombed out at the wizard’s opening screen. This was the latest setup direct from their support site. I’ll try it tomorrow in AdHoc mode from a laptop with WiFi. So far I am not impressed – sigh…

]]> By: John Nickerson http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/11/04/rovio_mobile_webcam_review/comment-page-1/#comment-28819 John Nickerson Fri, 02 Jan 2009 22:38:57 +0000 #comment-28819 I'm a software developer not a network person - so my first few days with ROVIO were frustrating to say the least. But I finally found the "ureka moment" and it is just too cool - with too many creative possibilities. I have yet to access from outside my home network, but I am sure I will get that nailed soon. Actually, in March - Robodance is supposed to come out with an app that makes this connection idiot proof (me) as well as allow control with a Wiimote. I basically wanted the unit to be able to check on the ole homestead while I'm away - like an Iphone connect etc. Gotta make sure that the house sitter has "Mr. Toogey" supplied with plenty of kibbles. Wowee seems to be doing a good job of getting the firmware "up-to-speed". I'm just an old guy that recently retired from 31 years in the tech business - but for what it is worth - I think it is a cool product with many potential uses. (But I also remember when PONG was a "cutting edge" video game and lava lights were high tech). Actually my college years in the 70's are a bit foggy. Go figure! jn I’m a software developer not a network person – so my first few days with ROVIO were frustrating to say the least. But I finally found the “ureka moment” and it is just too cool – with too many creative possibilities.

I have yet to access from outside my home network, but I am sure I will get that nailed soon. Actually, in March – Robodance is supposed to come out with an app that makes this connection idiot proof (me) as well as allow control with a Wiimote.

I basically wanted the unit to be able to check on the ole homestead while I’m away – like an Iphone connect etc. Gotta make sure that the house sitter has “Mr. Toogey” supplied with plenty of kibbles.

Wowee seems to be doing a good job of getting the firmware “up-to-speed”.

I’m just an old guy that recently retired from 31 years in the tech business – but for what it is worth – I think it is a cool product with many potential uses. (But I also remember when PONG was a “cutting edge” video game and lava lights were high tech). Actually my college years in the 70′s are a bit foggy. Go figure!

jn

]]> By: Frostfire Gifts http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/11/04/rovio_mobile_webcam_review/comment-page-1/#comment-27411 Frostfire Gifts Mon, 15 Dec 2008 20:04:20 +0000 #comment-27411 not enough research seems to have gone into this product not enough research seems to have gone into this product

]]> By: mt http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/11/04/rovio_mobile_webcam_review/comment-page-1/#comment-25367 mt Thu, 13 Nov 2008 11:37:56 +0000 #comment-25367 <p>Sean, Julie:</p> <p>How about hacking an iRobot Roomba Vacuum Cleaner into a mobile webcam? Keep an eye on the dog and clean up at the same time... actually this was intended as a joke but on second thought........ :)</p> Sean, Julie:

How about hacking an iRobot Roomba Vacuum Cleaner into a mobile webcam? Keep an eye on the dog and clean up at the same time… actually this was intended as a joke but on second thought…….. :)

]]> By: norcaljeff http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/11/04/rovio_mobile_webcam_review/comment-page-1/#comment-25366 norcaljeff Thu, 06 Nov 2008 20:26:49 +0000 #comment-25366 <p>Seems like a great idea with some poor execution. I think they needed a bit more R&D before they released it. Too bad, I'd love to have the capability!</p> Seems like a great idea with some poor execution.
I think they needed a bit more R&D before they released it.
Too bad, I’d love to have the capability!

]]> By: robotfrog http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/11/04/rovio_mobile_webcam_review/comment-page-1/#comment-25365 robotfrog Wed, 05 Nov 2008 20:34:05 +0000 #comment-25365 <p>I'm just surprised, as there are dozens of other reviews on the internet that were able to easily get the unit to work, even installing the battery, and testing it out. Besides for a handful of unboxing pictures, this just isn't a review of the unit. No review of control by laptop, no discussion of its navigation capabilities, etc. Sorry, but based on other discussions of this unit, I'm disappointed more with the review than the unit.</p> I’m just surprised, as there are dozens of other reviews on the internet that were able to easily get the unit to work, even installing the battery, and testing it out. Besides for a handful of unboxing pictures, this just isn’t a review of the unit. No review of control by laptop, no discussion of its navigation capabilities, etc. Sorry, but based on other discussions of this unit, I’m disappointed more with the review than the unit.

]]> By: Jake Tongue http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/11/04/rovio_mobile_webcam_review/comment-page-1/#comment-25364 Jake Tongue Wed, 05 Nov 2008 17:25:52 +0000 #comment-25364 <p>wow that seems lke quite a bad product</p> wow that seems lke quite a bad product

]]> By: Sean Carroll http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/11/04/rovio_mobile_webcam_review/comment-page-1/#comment-25363 Sean Carroll Wed, 05 Nov 2008 15:23:39 +0000 #comment-25363 <p>Sorry that I didn't get any pictures from the webcam. I spent so much time trying to get it to work that taking pictures fell by the wayside, and eventually I realized it was going back so there wasn't much point in spending anymore time with it.</p> <p>I'm not sure what you're asking about when you say "no configuring via wifi," because I do mention configuring via wifi. In fact if I hadn't been able to configure it by wifi I wouldn't have been able to use it at all.</p> Sorry that I didn’t get any pictures from the webcam. I spent so much time trying to get it to work that taking pictures fell by the wayside, and eventually I realized it was going back so there wasn’t much point in spending anymore time with it.

I’m not sure what you’re asking about when you say “no configuring via wifi,” because I do mention configuring via wifi. In fact if I hadn’t been able to configure it by wifi I wouldn’t have been able to use it at all.

]]> By: robotfrog http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/11/04/rovio_mobile_webcam_review/comment-page-1/#comment-25362 robotfrog Tue, 04 Nov 2008 20:14:19 +0000 #comment-25362 <p>Is this the complete review? No sample photos from the unit, no configuring via wifi? This is pretty poor for a gadgeteer review.</p> <p><em>[Edited at November 05, 2008 14:29:33 PM.]</em></p> Is this the complete review? No sample photos from the unit, no configuring via wifi? This is pretty poor for a gadgeteer review.

[Edited at November 05, 2008 14:29:33 PM.]

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