Difference between revisions of "WizPod"
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| − | [[Image:Touch_Only_Horizontal.jpg|left|thumb|375px|A WizPod Touch running the iSpell live-wizardry management app]]An instance or implementation of the [[Wizard's Manual]] installed in | + | [[Image:Touch_Only_Horizontal.jpg|left|thumb|375px|A WizPod Touch running the iSpell live-wizardry management app]]An instance or implementation of the [[Wizard's Manual]] installed in a suitably adapted [http://www.apple.com/ipod/ iPod]. Such devices, when running in Manual mode, routinely display the [[Apple Without A Bite, the | Apple Without a Bite]]. WizPods may be assumed to be part of the same [[Digital wizardry initiative]] that [[Swale, Thomas B. | Tom]] mentions in [[HW]] -- a general drive to get wizardry-driven devices into the hands of wizards worldwide, especially younger ones whose lives may be saved in crisis situations by having the speed and flexibility of machine-assisted spelling available to them while their own fluency in the [[Speech, the | Speech]] and skill at assembling spells is still growing. |
Since each WizPod contains an inbuilt "stand-alone" [[temporospatial claudication]], they are able to unfold to many times their apparent external size to display data, and are especially useful for working with [[spell diagram | spell diagrams]] which are better rendered in 3D format. Data storage is also managed through the claudication via intuitive on-demand streaming swap-in / swap-out to a close-continuum "hotvoid" space, theoretically implying near-infinite storage for a WizPod's total contents. Onboard storage is handled by an [[Alterf Technology]]-sourced SentientManagement quark-trap lattice solid rated at 120 yottabytes (though theoretically capable of much more if you ask it nicely). | Since each WizPod contains an inbuilt "stand-alone" [[temporospatial claudication]], they are able to unfold to many times their apparent external size to display data, and are especially useful for working with [[spell diagram | spell diagrams]] which are better rendered in 3D format. Data storage is also managed through the claudication via intuitive on-demand streaming swap-in / swap-out to a close-continuum "hotvoid" space, theoretically implying near-infinite storage for a WizPod's total contents. Onboard storage is handled by an [[Alterf Technology]]-sourced SentientManagement quark-trap lattice solid rated at 120 yottabytes (though theoretically capable of much more if you ask it nicely). | ||
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Revision as of 16:57, 9 January 2009
An instance or implementation of the Wizard's Manual installed in a suitably adapted iPod. Such devices, when running in Manual mode, routinely display the Apple Without a Bite. WizPods may be assumed to be part of the same Digital wizardry initiative that Tom mentions in HW -- a general drive to get wizardry-driven devices into the hands of wizards worldwide, especially younger ones whose lives may be saved in crisis situations by having the speed and flexibility of machine-assisted spelling available to them while their own fluency in the Speech and skill at assembling spells is still growing.
Since each WizPod contains an inbuilt "stand-alone" temporospatial claudication, they are able to unfold to many times their apparent external size to display data, and are especially useful for working with spell diagrams which are better rendered in 3D format. Data storage is also managed through the claudication via intuitive on-demand streaming swap-in / swap-out to a close-continuum "hotvoid" space, theoretically implying near-infinite storage for a WizPod's total contents. Onboard storage is handled by an Alterf Technology-sourced SentientManagement quark-trap lattice solid rated at 120 yottabytes (though theoretically capable of much more if you ask it nicely).
Wizardly implementations of the iPod began appearing simultaneously with the the debut of the so-called 4G models. There is speculation as to why rollout was delayed this long, but the consensus seems to be that the Powers that Be were waiting for the hardware to become sufficiently widespread that it no longer provoked much comment. Since then new WizPods have appeared in tandem with their less wizardly cousins, but none with quite the ballyhoo of the new 6G WizPod, or WizPod Touch, which appears above / to the left. This model introduced the new touch interface as well as numerous new software features.
(The full implementation of the companion WizPhone device was delayed for some while due to problems with the international service providers on Earth, but these difficulties have now been resolved, and the new device is in general distribution.)
WizPods as a class remained in performance beta for several years after their introduction; interested wizards had to specifically request the Manual-to-WizPod outgrade from their local Advisory wizard and were required to participate in device error-checking and debugging until the modality was declared out of beta by the team of wizards handling planetary modality management for the Powers. That milestone was passed in February 2008, at which time WizPods went into general circulation both as elective modalities and "release modalities" for new / probationary wizards.
WizPods behave like other Manual implementations in that they are self-upgrading and self-augmenting, transparently adding new apps and online / upline features in the same manner as "print" and other hard-format Manuals do. Physical-model differences are upgraded on an elective basis: wizards who're hooked on clickwheels do not have to suffer for their preference, as all WizPods share the same feature set regardless of appearance (including their ability to handle third-party apps). The feature set is completely backwardly compatible with all current WizPod models whether or not their "street versions" include visible display; even the WizShuffle has room via its inbuilt claudication for the SentientManagement lattice solid, and can be spellhacked or otherwise modded to produce display and other functions in accordance with the wizard-user's preference.
Darryl McAllister turns up on the Moon with a WizPod during the crisis meeting in WAW, causing Dairine to go into a state of serious hardware envy. (The description of Darryl's model suggests that he was then using one of the 4G implementations, though sometime between then and AWOM he appears to have gone for the upgrade.)
An ad for the newest model WizPod, detailing some of its more attractive features, can be seen here. (WAW, AWOM, et al.)