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Chumby may be working with Samsung and Sony, but it doesn’t look like they’re expanding their line up any time soon.  The smallish Chumby booth had rows of picture frame like devices running the open Chumby operating system.  These devices were shown because Chumby is fishing for partners. 

These were reference designs for other manufacturers to buy things.  When I arrived, one company was very curious about what the Chumby could do. 

The Sony product that ran Chumby was a design study and was not necessarily a product yet.  We’ll get you more information on the Sony/Chumby relationship soon. 

I got to ask questions I’ve always wanted to ask of Chumby, “Why isn’t the Chumby battery powered?”  “Why is the Chumby covered in soft material?”  Well, the answers are pretty simple.  Since the device is an always-on Internet connected device, there isn’t an easy way to power the Chumby without going through a lot of batteries.  However, there were some hacks that allow for a battery powered Chumby out there.  The Chumby rep I spoke thought that wireless charging may be a good solution for Chumby. 

As to its squishy exterior, the Chumby is meant to be fun and approachable. It is kind of designed to be the anti-silver and black device.  WIth more and more connected devices and soon wireless power coming, expect more devices running Chumby soon.

Check out the gallery: Chumby's fishing for partners