Cybiko
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Cybiko was a hand held computer designed for teenagers featuring its own two-way radio text messaging system. It had over 430 "official" freeware games and applications. Because of the text messaging system, it features a QWERTY Keyboard that was used with a stylus. An MP3 player add-on was made for the unit as well as a SmartMedia card reader. The company stopped manufacturing the units after two product versions and only a few years on the market, but because of the unique radio messaging hardware there is still a hobbyist community using Cybiko.
Cybikos can communicate with each other up to a maximum range of 300 metres (0.19 miles) (which can be boosted to 450 metres (0.26 miles) using a freeware program called UI Power). Several Cybikos can chat with each other in a wireless chatroom.
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[edit] Models
[edit] Cybiko Classic
There are two models of the Classic Cybiko. The obvious difference is that version 1 has a switch on the side; version two uses the 'ESC' key for power management. The not-so-obvious differences between the two are the internal memory changes and the location of the firmware.
The CPU is an Hitachi H8S/2241 at 11.0592 MHz and it also has an Atmel AT90S2313 co-processor at 4 MHz to provide some support for RF communications. It came with 512 KB ROM flash memory and 256 KB RAM. It came with an add-on slot in the back.
The add-on slot has the same physical appearance (pin-count, spacing) as PC card, but it is not compatible.
[edit] Cybiko Xtreme
The Cybiko Xtreme (commonly misspelt 'Extreme') is the 2nd-generation Cybiko handheld. It boasts many improvements over the "classic" Cybiko, such as a faster processor, more RAM, more ROM, a new OS, a new keyboard layout and case design, greater wireless range, a microphone, improved audio output, and smaller size.
The CPU is an Hitachi H8S/2323 at 18 MHz and it also has an Atmel AT90S2313 co-processor at 4 MHz to provide some support for RF communications. It came with 512 KB ROM flash memory and 1.5 MB RAM. It came with an add-on slot in the back, but the only hardware released was an MP3 player.
[edit] Options
[edit] MP3 player
Classic MP3 Player
The MP3 player for the Classic plugs into the bottom of the Cybiko, it used Smart Media cards, with a maximum size of 64mb. The player had built in controls. These are relatively easy to find.
Xtreme MP3 Player
The MP3 player plugs into the back of the Cybiko Xtreme. It has a slot for one MMC memory card Or one SD memory Card. The maximum size limit has been found to be 256Mb for MMC and 1G+ for SD. The MP3 player can only be controlled from the Cybiko. Memory from the MP3 player can be addressed from the Cybiko and used for data and program storage. About the only place you can find these are eBay, and private sales (eg. car boot sales/swap meet, etc.), making them the most hard to get player.
[edit] 1MB Expansion Memory
The memory expansion card plugs in the back of the Cybiko. It provides 1 megabyte of static RAM memory and 1 megabyte of data flash memory. The RAM allows programs with larger memory requirements to run. The data flash allows more programs to be stored. Some Cybiko programs will not run unless the Expansion Memory is plugged in.
[edit] Programming the Cybiko
Software for the Cybiko can be programmed in either C, or CyBasic, a version of the BASIC programming language with extensions for the Cybiko. Greg Smith of DevCybiko.us created Basic-to-C (Cybiko B2C) - an implementation of the CyBasic language with extensions for floating point math, sprites, music, and 3d graphics (features left out of the very slow CyBasic interpreter). There is also a TCP/KIT which gives the Cybiko Wireless Internet connectivity through a PC-based gateway.
[edit] Disposition
Support for Cybiko has been dropped entirely. The company moved into other lines of business in 2003. There are several fan sites still in existence, and still a few programs being developed by third-party Cybiko developers. In 2001-2002, there were many third-party websites devoted to the handheld. These included Cybla, Cybiko HQ, a handful of cybiko websites developed by web developer Mike Mertz, DevCybiko, and CyDevr. These sites included the latest cybiko news, a plethora of third-party downloads, including developed games and add-ons to other games, and many interactive features to unite the Cybiko Community. Once Cybiko Inc.'s downfall began, these once popular sites began to disappear. In November 2006, the official Cybiko site closed down.
[edit] Projects
As of October 2004, there is a new kernel for the classic Cybiko called CyBorn that is intended to take advantage of many features in the Cybiko that have been neglected.
There have been recent experiments conducted on improving the US Xtreme's RF range. Due possibly to FCC regulations, the US version of the Xtreme is limited to a 500 foot (152.4 meters) outdoor range, while the UK model, at 300 meters (984.25 feet), is nearly double. A solution was found by flashing the US model to the UK firmware. This is not normally possible, but a bug in the PC-Cybiko sync app EZ Loader was found to allow it. Tests have shown a marked improvement in RF communication range after the flash. More Information
Earlier work by KR1ST.COM allows RF power increases through software. No need to update the flash.
Greg Smith of DevCybiko.us created MiaChat - an AIM wireless client MiaChat. A Classic Cybiko (the Junction) is wired to the user's PC. Special software (Gateway) runs on the PC that talks to AIM over the Internet. The remote Cybiko (either Classic or Xtreme) then communicates wirelessly with the Junction Cybiko. A buddy list of up to 100 user ids is maintained in a file on the remote Cybiko. Multiple user profiles can be stored on the remote Cybiko. Smith also created QuniciChat for ICQ.
[edit] External links
Active Communities
Other Sites
