Tips: How to make Athena really portable

[eaglesteve]

The issue of Athena's size has been raised on many threads, and I had always said that size is a non-issue for me. I would like HTC (if they are reading this) to keep the 5 inch screen size in future models as realVGA is only meaningful on screen of this size. The question is how do we carry this? Some has said that it is only possible with a backpack, which I had disagreed.

I had distinquished betweeb devices which are travel friendly (this includes SHIFT, eee PC, etc) that cannot be with you 24/7 from those which are "body portable", meaning we can have the device on our body without feeling it. I believe that I had achieved "body portability" with Athena.

This is a photo showing how I'm doing it. I post this in order to also help people who are struggling with the size issue, and hopefully it helps us to enjoy the device as much as I do.

Cheers.

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa37/eaglesteve/Athenaportability.jpg

I think you would agree that on the left photos, nobody would notice that I'm using the belt pouch. Ive shown a variety of scenarios, from very formal ones where a business suit is worn, to semi formal ones where only a business shirt is worn, to very casual ones.

When I'm at home, I sometimes don't wear a shirt. But I never take the belt pouch off even in my house. It is comfortable.

[yetdy]

The athena fits well in my jeans or slacks. A bit heavy with the stock leather pouch and keyboard but it's fine once you get used to it. I'm a heavy user of the athena because it replaces my laptop whenever I'm in the office. The built in word and excel though bare compared to the desktop versions are in fact quite handy. I don't mind the bareness. I just transfer the files for reformatting when needed. The 5 inch screen is a sight for sore eys compared to using my atom. With real VGA at 128 dpi installed I can view my files with ease(20/20 vision).
Though battery is an issue, I just plug it whenever wifi is on and unplug it when I'm done.
The athena is a device definitely not for everyone. Just those serious enough to maximize it's power, patient and brave enough to experiment with different softwares to make it more powerful. It took me a week to find the right combination of applications to install and the system of manually installing them. I'm now reaping the benefits of all my experimentation. I now bring my laptop only if necessary which is around twice a week as opposed to 6 days a week.
Portability is not the issue. The advantages for me, outweighs the size factor.

[spacecat]

The issue of Athena's size has been raised on many threads, and I had always said that size is a non-issue for me. I would like HTC (if they are reading this) to keep the 5 inch screen size in future models as realVGA is only meaningful on screen of this size. The question is how do we carry this? Some has said that it is only possible with a backpack, which I had disagreed.

I had distinquished betweeb devices which are travel friendly (this includes SHIFT, eee PC, etc) that cannot be with you 24/7 from those which are "body portable", meaning we can have the device on our body without feeling it. I believe that I had achieved "body portability" with Athena.

This is a photo showing how I'm doing it. I post this in order to also help people who are struggling with the size issue, and hopefully it helps us to enjoy the device as much as I do.

Cheers.

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa37/eaglesteve/Athenaportability.jpg

I think you would agree that on the left photos, nobody would notice that I'm using the belt pouch. Ive shown a variety of scenarios, from very formal ones where a business suit is worn, to semi formal ones where only a business shirt is worn, to very casual ones.

When I'm at home, I sometimes don't wear a shirt. But I never take the belt pouch off even in my house. It is comfortable.

This goes from the sublime to the ridiculous!

If only i had known I could have put it in a pocket all my problems would be solved ............madness!

The shirt pocket looks stuffed and stretched and on a sweaty day would be a heavy nightmare

The jacket you wouldnt see it but it would still be there weighing you down

The holster just looks gay!

Why not just get a bigger pocket for a EEE or SHIFT or a fucking huge one for a DESKTOP

Or strap an EEE or Shift to your waist

If you dont mind the weight you coould carry a brick with you all day

Your attempts to show how portable this phone/pda is and the fact that it has a specific weight and dimensions is hilarious


For my next trick see how i turn a portable TV into a wristwatch!

You are a nutter dude.......priceless


Perhaps a few shots of you in your speedos with the Athena down the front should be next! :)

honestly i have to show some people at work this tomorrow

[newuser888]

This goes from the sublime to the ridiculous!

If only i had known I could have put it in a pocket all my problems would be solved ............madness!

The shirt pocket looks stuffed and stretched and on a sweaty day would be a heavy nightmare

The jacket you wouldnt see it but it would still be there weighing you down

The holster just looks gay!

Why not just get a bigger pocket for a EEE or SHIFT or a fucking huge one for a DESKTOP

Or strap an EEE or Shift to your waist

If you dont mind the weight you coould carry a brick with you all day

Your attempts to show how portable this phone/pda is and the fact that it has a specific weight and dimensions is hilarious


For my next trick see how i turn a portable TV into a wristwatch!

You are a nutter dude.......priceless


Perhaps a few shots of you in your speedos with the Athena down the front should be next! :)

honestly i have to show some people at work this tomorrow

I fully expect such stupid comments to come from Spacecat. He has nothing but shits in his brain, he talks shits, breath shits, eat shits.. He made the most stupid move of changing to PC eee and seeks to assure himself that he has made the smartest move on earth by trying (very unsuccessfully)
to get people to agree with him that eee's portability is the same as Athena's. Is he going to repeat all the bullshit about why he thinks viewty and eee is the best choice in his next post once again?

[spacecat]

I fully expect such stupid comments to come from Spacecat. He has nothing but shits in his brain, he talks shits, breath shits, eat shits.. He made the most stupid move of changing to PC eee and seeks to assure himself that he has made the smartest move on earth by trying (very unsuccessfully)
to get people to agree with him that eee's portability is the same as Athena's. Is he going to repeat all the bullshit about why he thinks viewty and eee is the best choice in his next post once again?

Your gay mate if you think putting an Athena in your pocket or a holster MAKES IT SMALLER or your just plain retarded.

Whats stupid about going from WM6 to FULL XP, 5 inch screen to 7 inch screen , video that works etc etc for similar portabilty and then carrying a phone that out performs your precious turd in so many areas.
The Athena has barely sold, how many people do you know who has one? apart from those here. The reason being because it is Neither ONE thing or another Its a shitty phone and a Shitty laptop combined

Your a fanboy, and you blew your money on a poorly implemented device GET OVER IT!

[apd]

Your gay mate if you think putting an Athena in your pocket or a holster MAKES IT SMALLER or your just plain retarded.

Whats stupid about going from WM6 to FULL XP, 5 inch screen to 7 inch screen , video that works etc etc for similar portabilty and then carrying a phone that out performs your precious turd in so many areas.
The Athena has barely sold, how many people do you know who has one? apart from those here. The reason being because it is Neither ONE thing or another Its a shitty phone and a Shitty laptop combined

Your a fanboy, and you blew your money on a poorly implemented device GET OVER IT!

This is just getting ridiculous. I have stood largely in the background watching this develop in a number of threads. Spacecat - I have no difficulty with you being on the forum despite not being an Athena user. But I really don't see the point of wasting everybody's time with your abusive posts and and unbalanced threads - that's really not what xda-devs is about.

I know you're going to flame me for this - but that will rather prove my point, I suspect......

[wgary]

Here spacey kitty kitty kitty. Try this -- http://www.forum.nokia.com/
UMM! It tastes good! Why not give it a try?? Go pee on someone else's shoes for a while. I'm sure there's plenty of people Mr. Macho Man Space Kitty could call gay over on the Nokia Forum! And maybe they really are!

[wgary]

Seriously, to EagleSteve -- Thanks for posting the pics. I'm with you on the 5" screen. Maybe scale down the thickness (think MacBook Air) and weight, better keyboard. Then I'm 100% happy. OK, throw in a faster processor and bigger battery too. Then I'm 150% happy.

I do the pocket thing, which is OK. Haven't found a pouch that I'm really happy with that isn't too small so it's hard to retrieve it easily or else too huge so that it gets in the way. What pouch are you using? I've already bought about 8, I think.

Note that I now use the stock case w/ keyboard. I did have the holder with pocket clip which was OK except it didn't seem stable plus it kept breaking--not the best with an expensive device. Lots of times, I carry it like a planner, but I have a tendency to then walk away from it.

Maybe I'll post a picture where I am carrying it so Space Kitty can say it looks like a purse and get all hyperexcited. You know, EagleSteve, Space Kitty probably printed out your pictures and put them up on his wall. What do you think?

[yetdy]

Hey space kitty, try to abuse someone else. We do not come here to confirm our beliefs about our athena. We come here to maximize it.

Don't flaunt what you have there. For all we know, you are the one who is gay that's the reason why you kept using that word. Hmmm... I wonder... Eow!!! :)

Anyway if you don't have an athena or don't appreciate the fact that we love our athena, cut yourself some slack and keep your mouth shut. Your meows are not appreciated here.

A dog might hear you and give you a nice shuddering chase.

[eaglesteve]

Seriously, to EagleSteve -- Thanks for posting the pics. I'm with you on the 5" screen. Maybe scale down the thickness (think MacBook Air) and weight, better keyboard. Then I'm 100% happy. OK, throw in a faster processor and bigger battery too. Then I'm 150% happy.

I do the pocket thing, which is OK. Haven't found a pouch that I'm really happy with that isn't too small so it's hard to retrieve it easily or else too huge so that it gets in the way. What pouch are you using? I've already bought about 8, I think.

Note that I now use the stock case w/ keyboard. I did have the holder with pocket clip which was OK except it didn't seem stable plus it kept breaking--not the best with an expensive device. Lots of times, I carry it like a planner, but I have a tendency to then walk away from it.

Maybe I'll post a picture where I am carrying it so Space Kitty can say it looks like a purse and get all hyperexcited. You know, EagleSteve, Space Kitty probably printed out your pictures and put them up on his wall. What do you think?


I'm totally with you on the thickness and weight aspect. I hope future models address that. HTC, if you're reading this, please listen to the users here.

As for the pouch, I use a DIY that I made myself, but that was because I couldn't find a suitable one at that time. Now there are options. In fact, You can have it custom made for a very reasonable price of $29.95. Check my posting today under "have you tried this case" in the accessory main thread. edit: here it is: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=1838445#post1838445. Because you are the one specifying the internal dimension, I suppose your issue of finding it too tight or too bulky is not there with this product.

I had long ago learned not to take spacey kitty seriously, as he is really impossible to discuss anything with without going crazy.

As you, Yetdy, newuse888 and many others pointed out in more than one ways here as well as in other threads, we're here to share ways to better use this device, not to engage in pissing contest. I'm not a moderator, so I can't stop him from pissing around in the Athena threads. He makes a real fool of himself, but he says he is enjoying it. What can we do? Sigh...

[toyfreak]

Nice pics, eaglesteve. These kind of remind me of an article I saw in Handgun Digest magazine wherein Masaad Ayoob, concealed weapons expert, showed how he could conceal at least half a dozen handguns wearing jeans and a t-shirt. In the proper hands, the Athena can be just as powerful (or dangerous!)

I don't often get sucked into flame wars, but I am also getting sick of spacecat's bs...

Let's all just leave him alone so he'll get bored and go away...

[spacecat]

Its Ok freaks this is real entertainment value believe me!

Its like talking to scientologists!

I love how you all convince each other of some of the most dubious merits of a device which is fair enough i guess.

But trying to say its SMALL simply because you can stuff it into a SHIRT POCKET is SELF DELUSION taken to the limits.

If you think my name is stupid I guess:

EAGLEsteve
Yetdy
toyFREAK
adp
newuser888 (what happens when you are no longer a NEW user do you change your name to OLDuser999!)

Are examples of balanced grown up minds!

I am physically capable of carrying a Plasma TV .. Now if i can just balance a DVD player on my head maybe it could be used as a personal MEDIA CENTRE.

Seriously your all fucking NUTS .. though Eagle is the head NUT!

The best thing about Eagle is that he says he is SO BUSY doing important consultancy work ..travelling everywhere and YET he still finds time to not only post every few minutes but to actually take PICTURES of himself in VARIOUS SNAZZY OUTFITS and post them here as examples of his DELUSIONS ............................utterly priceless

Guys at work are gonna piss themselves when i show them this thread... please keep up the good/MAD work :)

[athenalover]

Wow, Spacecat,

I've never come across anybody as detached from reality as you are. Are you still okay? :D Your arguments are so absurd, childish, unreasonable, completely lacking in credibilty, and so sadly naive. How could you deny what is obviuosly the case, that Athena is really very easy to carry around? You behave almost like you're demon possessed! Go and see a shrink.

Next, you're going to add me to your long list of nuts. You better get a thick book for that. The rate you're going, everyone on the forum would have to get on your list pretty soon.

Why can't you just say, "I've made my case, and I stand by my viewpoint. I'd respect your own view.". Why do you have to spill poisons on whoever disagree with your very warped view?

We need to move on and go back to our constructive discussion instead of having you charging into the forum shitting everywhere to everyone on anything that contradict your narrow minded opinion.

[eaglesteve]

Haven't found a pouch that I'm really happy with that isn't too small so it's hard to retrieve it easily or else too huge so that it gets in the way. What pouch are you using? I've already bought about 8, I think.

Note that I now use the stock case w/ keyboard. I did have the holder with pocket clip which was OK except it didn't seem stable plus it kept breaking--not the best with an expensive device. Lots of times, I carry it like a planner,

Hi wgary,

I think your post deserves a bit more discussion.

Before Athena, I also had carried around fairly large devices in my trousers pocket. These devices include HP Jordana 680 and 690. They were a lot bigger and heavier than Athena. I did find it too heavy as it really pulled my pocket down. Fortunately, Athena is not heavy enough to cause this problem.

Then, just before Athena, I had a Mio 168 and a Nokia Phone. I also wore a belt pouch for my Mio168 since my left troubsers is used for carrrying the phone and the right pocket is for my bunch of keys.

For both belt pouch (for Mio and Athena), I was paying special attention to the ease of slipping in and out of the case one handed because I used them to play golf, when my other hand is needed to push to buggy. Therefore it is important that when you place your order you do not make it a tight fit.

When I placed my order mentioned, I've allowed for 21 mm depth, 90mm wide. This is to be used without keyboard, where the internal dimension is 89mm x16mm. If you carry keyboard and leather case, then you should measure them carefully and add about 2 or 3 mm depending on your preference.

Also, I prefer flap cover with Velcro fasterner. I also like a belt loop rather than clip. A belt loop is more hardy I feel.

I'm not into hard leather. I prefer it to be soft as it is more comfortable to my body, especially when I sit down. Another advantage of soft material is that I sometimes keep it in my pocket when the social condition call for (for example, when I want to tuck in my shirt, and I don't want to be seen having a pouch hanging on my belt).

My present DIY pouch is made of very soft bag lining of an old notebook carrying bag. I always face my screen inward so screen protection was not a worry.

8 pouch are many. You must have spent a little fortune on them. I hope your next purchase will be the right one. Cheers.

[HeartOfDarkness]

You guys should check the SKPad I just got and discuss about in the following thread:

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=303364&page=4

at the bottom of the page. After trying MANY a case for the Athena, this is by far the best I've had, and is practically perfect. :-)

[eaglesteve]

You guys should check the SKPad I just got and discuss about in the following thread:

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=303364&page=4

at the bottom of the page. After trying MANY a case for the Athena, this is by far the best I've had, and is practically perfect. :-)

Looks a a very snug fit. Can you slip in and out with one hand? It looks very nice.

[HeartOfDarkness]

Yep, you can, albeit with a little practice, of course (but very little :-) ).

Very snug indeed. As I said, the Athena almost looks small inside it, lol: yesterday, I took it out at a meeting and my colleagues and I chuckled on the fact that they were surprised to see the Athena, which they think is "quite big for a phone", coming out from under my vest that way, since they hadn't had a clue I had it with me. So I guess it IS extremely discreet. :-)

And the screen's protection's practically bulletproof (with two layers of aluminium protections). :-)

[eaglesteve]

Yep, you can, albeit with a little practice, of course (but very little :-) ).

Very snug indeed. As I said, the Athena almost looks small inside it, lol: yesterday, I took it out at a meeting and my colleagues and I chuckled on the fact that they were surprised to see the Athena, which they think is "quite big for a phone", coming out from under my vest that way, since they hadn't had a clue I had it with me. So I guess it IS extremely discreet. :-)

And the screen's protection's practically bulletproof (with two layers of aluminium protections). :-)

Sounds great!

BTW, since we're on the topic of being discreet, is wearing the bluetooth headset around the neck also concealable? Can the shirt's collar cover it without producing noise to the mic?

[HeartOfDarkness]

Yep, it is concealable, and the collar of the shirt will not cause any disturbance. :-)

But maybe you could ask that same question in the dedicated thread (in the GENERAL accessories section, not the Athena accessories) so I can answer and elaborate on it, and have this info more centralised and readily accessible ? ;-)

[techntrek]

Oh happy day, notice that spacecat has been banned. Take a look just below his name on all of his posts now.

[HeartOfDarkness]

lol Quick blessing to our moderators. :-)

[yetdy]

Good thing my internet connection went haywire earlier. I might have been banned also for the comment I was supposed to post here regarding the remarks made by the pussy cat from space. Blessing from the moderators to all of us.

[eaglesteve]

Let's hope he stops his abusive ways when he returns. Good job moderator.

[Arctic Matt]

I am the stage manager of a theatre and I am constantly up in the roof or up in a lift inspecting light and sound equipment on a daily basis. I got this unit because I could go up in the lift without my laptop, camera and phone. The Ameo fits in the pocket of my Blåkläder work trousers with no problem at all (even in the wallet). I have no trouble taking photos (geo-tagged), documenting repairs and emailing it on all from one device that then goes back in my pocket. This gives me back the use of both hands without worrying if I'll stand on my laptop or drop my camera whilst working, which I have done! This device was aimed at professionals and technicians like myself and it ticks every box and more. It is obvious to me that those who cannot use it or don't like it should not have got it in the first place, as gadgets go this is about as niche as you can get. The Ameo is a technicians dream and even more so due to the PK rom team. The only thing I'm adding is a safety strap that can attach to my belt, in case it slips out of my hand .
I'm not posting photos however as that would just get you all frisky!

[eaglesteve]

I am the stage manager of a theatre and I am constantly up in the roof or up in a lift inspecting light and sound equipment on a daily basis. I got this unit because I could go up in the lift without my laptop, camera and phone. The Ameo fits in the pocket of my Blåkläder work trousers with no problem at all (even in the wallet). I have no trouble taking photos (geo-tagged), documenting repairs and emailing it on all from one device that then goes back in my pocket. This gives me back the use of both hands without worrying if I'll stand on my laptop or drop my camera whilst working, which I have done! This device was aimed at professionals and technicians like myself and it ticks every box and more. It is obvious to me that those who cannot use it or don't like it should not have got it in the first place, as gadgets go this is about as niche as you can get. The Ameo is a technicians dream and even more so due to the PK rom team. The only thing I'm adding is a safety strap that can attach to my belt, in case it slips out of my hand .
I'm not posting photos however as that would just get you all frisky!

This is one of the best testimonies I've read, proving that Athena is truly portable. Thanks for sharing.;)

[yetdy]

Guys,
I'm in the garments industry. A neighbor of mine is a manufacturer of bags. I'm planning to have a leather case custome made for me. I would like to solicit your ideas on which design is best for the athena. I would rely on a poll to decide which design is the best.

In return I will give 1 case to the winning designer and another one to be raffled off to all those who participated in the polls. Can anyone help me to set up a thread for the design and another for the poll? I would also appreciate it if someone can help me set up the rules for the design making contest and the polls as well.

Any comment from the moderators would highly be appreciated. Thanks!

[HeartOfDarkness]

Well, I can give a hand, what kind of help do you need exactly ? First thing, I think, would be to decide what the case should be / do.

Should it:
- contain the Athena and keyboard, or only the athena ?
- clip to the belt ?

I do have an idea of what would be the perfect case, for me, and it's not too complex I think:
- doesn't hold keyboard;
- looks like the SKPad I present here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=303364&page=4 (bottom of the page), but with the following modifications;
- Krussel-like belt-clip instead of the loop, allowing for quick removal from the belt;
- window left open for the screen, with a flip cover reinforced with aluminium (kindda like the SKPad but with the screen that can still show);
- instead of extensible straps on the sides, plain leather (to protect the sides and corners of the device), but with holes allowing to access the SD/battery slot, USB port, earphone out, VGA out, volume buttons, power button, comm. manager button, camera button, stylus slot, front and back cameras, and front buttons (OK and Flag) as well as the directional stick.

That'd be the ideal case for me:
- as thin as can be;
- protects the Athena's gorgeous screen;
- allows for the use of all Athena functions without having to take it out of the case;
- easily beltable and unbeltable.

[yetdy]

I think we better make the rules first.

Design Requirements:
1. A sketch or photoshop representation
2. Detailed description
3. Size details
4. Function

Then we need a small pool of people. Around 5 or 7 will do to make the initial round of elimination and selection. Whatever the group chooses will be the ones people will vote for.

I like a thin device also but the keyboard is also important for me. So I leave it up to the designer on how innovative he/she will be in maximizing everything.

Maybe we can make this a fundraising activity for the athena portion of the site. We can sell the winning design to those interested to order and give a percentage to fund whatever projects there are.

Of course everything I just mentioned should have the blessings of the moderators or higher ups.

Everything also that I mentioned is just a suggestion. I would appreciate any comments from everyone.

[Arctic Matt]

Can we shy away from leather. Not only is it ethically extremely dubious but is also very dated for what is a sh1t hot device. I don't want people addressing this as a modern file-o-fax and leather reeks of the fat eighties business man with a wad of cash and no taste.
In fact I've now decided that all leather is dated and a bit too 20th century for me. I vote for a neoprene skin on a carbon fiber shell!

[techntrek]

Well, his friend is going to do it in leather so that constrains the design to leather.

I tend towards being the treehugger type, so I respect the ethical arguments for not using it. But I will point out that most garment leather comes as a byproduct from the meat industry, so it fits in more with "reduce, reuse, recycle" than being a wasteful primary use of the animal. Not trying to trigger any ethical wars...

[toyfreak]

Well, his friend is going to do it in leather so that constrains the design to leather.

I tend towards being the treehugger type, so I respect the ethical arguments for not using it. But I will point out that most garment leather comes as a byproduct from the meat industry, so it fits in more with "reduce, reuse, recycle" than being a wasteful primary use of the animal. Not trying to trigger any ethical wars...

You took the words right out of my mouth... Waste not, want not...

[yetdy]

You took the words right out of my mouth... Waste not, want not...

Actually, leather is the most widely used medium that we have here in the Philippines. If I can only get my hands on neophrene or whatever recyclable materials out there, I would gladly do so. I also manufacture them within my factory. :) Soft fabrics are my specialty here. We make shirts for Fila and BMW... etc.

Anyway, it all depends on the designer. I mean the fabric, leather or whatever. No holds bar. If I can source the materials here, better. If not, we can always find an alternative.

Let us not limit the creativity of anyone who wish to participate. We can give extra marks though to those who will think green. I don't even mind if people who do not know how to draw to participate. The more ideas we get, the more effective the contest would be because it will bring the best out of people and make them participate more on discussions within this forum.

Ultimately, we would be able to better gauge what people want for their athena and help them better in the advise or programs or solutions they may need to make their athena work better for them.

We may not be HTC. But we can be better than them in other aspects of their business. Maybe they will see it and begin listening to what we have to say.

[Janis]

If it's just slightly girly, but not drag, most women find the while metro-sexual thing attractive. Hey, who doesn't like well-groomed?