Back in stock
We’re back in stock with a fresh supply of litl webbooks!
Please visit our website, litl.com, and we’d be happy to help you get started. Thanks for your patience.
Meeting of the moms
Setting up for the event
On Sunday, we had the chance to demo the litl webbook in Laguna-Niguel at an event for the Silicon Valley Moms Group, a network of mom bloggers. Now, we'll take almost any opportunity to leave the New England winter for a few days, but this event was special. We met fifty wonderful women who gave the litl a good look and were excited to see our take on the home computer.
Some took to Twitter afterward:
MintCool
Saw a very cool @litl computer on Sunday. I want one. Someone give me one? Please?
1:59pm, Feb 23 from TweetDeckspanglishbaby
I can't stop thinking about the @litl home computer I saw at the #svmomsbitmoms event. Forget the #iPad! much cuter n perfect for a mom!
2:43pm, Feb 23 from TweetDeckTinyOrangesOC
@litl Great to meet you....I am super in love with your lovely little laptop PERFECT for kitchen counter browsing!!!
1:52pm, Feb 22 from TweetDeck
We appreciate the feedback and hope to stay in touch with everyone from the conference. Special thanks to our contact with the SV Moms Group, Linsey Krolik.
And we're always looking for other chances to share the litl. Get in touch via asklitl@litl.com if you think you've got a venue for us (It doesn't hurt if it's as beautiful as this last one.)
Perfect in the kitchen
The kitchen is the heart or activity hub of the home for many families. Meals are prepared and enjoyed here, but it's also an important activity center where people dash in and out, plan and discuss schedules, check messages, make phone calls, have family meetings, and so forth.
We’ve never been satisfied with the computers we’ve brought into our kitchens. Invariably, they looked out of place, weren’t useful for everyone in the family, or took up too much precious space. They certainly weren’t fun to use.
The litl webbook may well be the ideal “kitchen computer.” Sleek and modern, the litl looks like it actually belongs in a kitchen, not a cubicle. It’s versatile too: use it with the keyboard and screen and the litl goes online like a traditional laptop. You’ll always have the web close at hand.
For a different experience, flip the screen back around the hinge and stand the computer upright in “easel” mode. Everything from family photos and local weather to an egg timer and breaking news can now be enjoyed from anywhere in the kitchen. Trust us—very fun!
If counter space is in short supply, you’ll appreciate that the litl's easel mode takes up half the space of a traditional laptop. Additionally, the litl’s screen is viewable from a full 178 degrees so you won’t lose sight of it as you move from the sink to the stove and back to the dishwasher. And you won’t be spending time taking care of the litl, either. It’s maintenance-free and is designed to always run quickly and securely.
Can a great kitchen computer get better? We think so.
We’re excited to announce the launch of the BakeSpace Recipes channel. BakeSpace, a 2009 Webby Award nominee for Best Social Network, is a free online community where members post, search and swap recipes, share cooking tips, and socialize with other food enthusiasts. The new channel provides quick and easy access to more than 50,000 member-submitted recipes and is available now at no cost to litl webbook users.
Babette Pepaj, BakeSpace’s founder and CEO, remarks, “We love the concept behind the litl webbook because it’s all about making it fun and easy to enjoy the web. With the addition of the new BakeSpace channel, the litl is now also a great tool for cooking enthusiasts. If you enjoy spending time in the kitchen, the litl webbook could be your ideal computer.”
Is the litl webbook the kitchen computer you’ve been waiting for? Check out our video and let us know what you think.
TechnoDad: live demo on Chicago WLS-TV 7
Michael Ferrara, better known as the TechnoDad, is a popular home technology reviewer. He shared some first thoughts about the litl webbook a few weeks ago, mentioning that it could be perfect for his "technophobic" mom.
Last week, on Chicago's WLS-TV 7, Michael highlighted the litl webbook again in a roundup of interesting new electronic devices.
Thanks, Michael. We appreciate your interest in the litl webbook.
Talking tech with Craig Peterson
Craig Peterson, host of the popular radio show "Tech Talk with Craig Peterson", aired an interview with litl's head of marketing, James Gardner, over the weekend. The interview was broadcast in Boston and throughout much of New England on WGIR and was also streamed over the web.
Listen to Craig and James discuss the litl webbook:
Thanks to Craig for his interest in litl! We love his contagious enthusiasm for technology.
Download interview MP3: Craig Peterson - litl webbook interview 02-2010
Sweetest dreams
The litl webbook's self-updating operating system is one of its most popular features: while you sleep, we update your computer for you with "new and improved" software.
Why's it so popular? For one thing, there's no computer maintenance anymore--so say goodbye to software updates, security patches, and other "computery" tasks. If you're the technology support person for your family and friends, you know what we're talking about! The litl webbook always runs fast and safe.
These updates also mean that we can add new capabilities that make your litl webbook even more useful and fun. Since our launch, we've introduced several new channels (Facebook Status, for example) and tweaked the performance of many features.
And, of course, all these updates are completely free. No subscription charges or licenses to purchase.
So, what's in store for litl webbook owners in February and beyond? Here's a few hints:
- Family games. Relax with some classic family games done litl-style. Bonus points when enjoyed on your large-screen HDMI-equipped television!
- Recipes and cooking. Cook up a storm with a recipe channel uniquely designed for the litl. Yum!
- Mediawall. View your photos stored on Google Picasa and SmugMug as we extend support to these popular photo websites.
- Photo upload. Transfer your photos directly from your memory card reader to your favorite photo website by way of the litl's built-in USB port. Easy!
Looking ahead, we're also laying the foundation to enable third-party developers to unleash their creativity and build their own channels. Watch for more news about this in the coming months.
Illustration credit: David Macaulay for litl. More of David's genius.
“A remarkably odd thing. And I mean that in the best way possible.”
Software developer, podcaster, and self-proclaimed nerd Bryan Lunduke got his hands on a litl webbook recently. His review hits on a lot of the litl's features, like the functionality of easel mode and the general design.
Perhaps most remarkable about Bryan's review is his transformation from skeptic to believer.
When I first learned about the litl, and it’s complete lack of “native” applications, my gut reaction was roughly like this:
“Are you freaking kidding me? Why on this green earth of ours would I ever want to be stuck only using web applications?! Not a chance you’ll ever catch me with a device like that!” (If memory serves I ranted on like this for some time.)
But in short time, Bryan reversed course.
The web-application-only approach that the litl has taken works extremely well. In my daily usage of the litl over the last several weeks I have found that there is very little I can’t do with this little device. Turns out: Most of what I do with my normal computer is all web-based already.
That's the same conclusion a lot of people are making: When you live in the browser, there's not much else you need. And while the concept of giving up native applications and local storage may seem like a big leap for some folks, Brian sees appeal for a broad assortment of users.
I would, without hesitation, recommend the litl to a few key types of people:
- Grandparents. Grandparents. Grandparents. This device will, literally, have no tech support once it’s up and running. No viruses (virii?). No Spyware. No way for grandpa to accidentally delete some important system files. Easy to use, only a few buttons to click. Boom. Grandparents are online and looking at your pictures from flickr or facebook.
- Kids. The litl is sturdy as heck (no hard drive built in) and has rounded corners. So kids aren’t likely to hurt it or themselves (at least not unless they go Hulk-Angry-Smash on you… but then you’ve got bigger problems to worry about). And, again, they won’t be downloading stuff on to your computer by accident.
- Nerds who want at least one device at home they don’t have to worry about (plus it’s a good conversation starter).
Read Bryan's full review, and take a minute to give it a bump on Digg if you like it.
Give a litl love this Valentine’s Day
Want to win a litl? How about two?
In preparation for the new BakeSpace recipe channel on the litl, we are teaming up with BakeSpace for a special Valentine's Day giveaway. From now until Tuesday, February 9th, 2010, you can win not just one, but TWO litl webbooks (for you and your favorite Valentine). That means one lucky winner will take home two webbooks.
For the full details on how to enter, visit our profile on BakeSpace.
And if contests aren't your thing, you can still check out recipes from the litl team, such as Jana's Mini Goat Cheese Tarts or Anthony's Green Lentil and Bacon Scavenger Soup. Add your favorites to your BakeSpace recipe box, and you'll be able to pull them up on your litl when the BakeSpace recipe channel launches later this month.