Cybiko
Launched in 2000, the Cybiko was a youth oriented hand held computer and organizer hailed as a "Teen Dream Machine". It was not a cell phone, but rather a wireless two way radio device that incorporated text messaging capabilities. Marketed as a "PDA for kids", it was unique in the fact that its functionality was limited to a maximum range of .19 miles. After only two generations of the device, it was discontinued, but has had sporadic revival attempts made by the manufacturing company, Cybiko, Inc.
Contents
Origins
The Cybiko was conceptualized by an engineer named David Yang. Yang was born in 1968 to a chinese mother and an Armenian father. He grew up in The Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic, aka Armenia in the former Soviet Union. At age 17 he moved to Moscow and enrolled in the prestigious Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology. Fresh out of his university training, in 1989 Yang created what would become the world renowned Abbyy Software Company. Originally known as BIT Software, Yang's first company was born out of the idea of creating a dictionary software. Today ABBYY has offices in 9 countries (Russia, Germany, the United States, Ukraine, the UK, Cyprus, Japan and Taiwan) and their products are sold in 130 countries.In addition to dictionary software, ABBYY made its name through innovation and achievement in document recognition, data capture, and other forms of linguistic software.
He wondered if there was an untapped 20 something market for electronics, but ultimately realized the sea of pre-teens was a more viable market for his wireless device. Yang then forged a parnership with Chicago business man Don Wisniewski
Developement
Technical Specifications
Launched in 2000, the Cybiko was a youth oriented hand held computer and organizer. It was not a cell phone, but rather a two way radio device that incorporated text messaging capabilities. Marketed as a "PDA for kids", it was unique in the fact that its functionality was limited to a maximum range of .19 miles. After only two generations of the device, it was discontinued, but has had sporadic revival attempts made by the manufacturing company, Cybiko, Inc.
Design and Functions
Gaming
Launched in 2000, the Cybiko was a youth oriented hand held computer and organizer. It was not a cell phone, but rather a two way radio device that incorporated text messaging capabilities. Marketed as a "PDA for kids", it was unique in the fact that its functionality was limited to a maximum range of .19 miles. After only two generations of the device, it was discontinued, but has had sporadic revival attempts made by the manufacturing company, Cybiko, Inc.
Launched in 2000, the Cybiko was a youth oriented hand held computer and organizer. It was not a cell phone, but rather a two way radio device that incorporated text messaging capabilities. Marketed as a "PDA for kids", it was unique in the fact that its functionality was limited to a maximum range of .19 miles. After only two generations of the device, it was discontinued, but has had sporadic revival attempts made by the manufacturing company, Cybiko, Inc.
Organizer
Launched in 2000, the Cybiko was a youth oriented hand held computer and organizer. It was not a cell phone, but rather a two way radio device that incorporated text messaging capabilities. Marketed as a "PDA for kids", it was unique in the fact that its functionality was limited to a maximum range of .19 miles. After only two generations of the device, it was discontinued, but has had sporadic revival attempts made by the manufacturing company, Cybiko, Inc.
Text Messaging
Launched in 2000, the Cybiko was a youth oriented hand held computer and organizer. It was not a cell phone, but rather a two way radio device that incorporated text messaging capabilities. Marketed as a "PDA for kids", it was unique in the fact that its functionality was limited to a maximum range of .19 miles. After only two generations of the device, it was discontinued, but has had sporadic revival attempts made by the manufacturing company, Cybiko, Inc.
Marketing and Youth Appeal
The Cybiko in School
Reviews
"The Cybiko from Cybiko, Inc. is a crossbreed between a PDA, a Gameboy, a walkie-talkie and a mini keyboard. It looks like a little strange at the first encounter, but you’ll get used to the design pretty soon."
