If you’re one of NPR’s 26.4 million weekly listeners, you know the special place their news, talk, and entertainment programming occupies in many people’s hearts and minds. Much of it is gold, pure gold.

And yet, who hasn’t missed a favorite show due to an overly busy schedule? Or wished they could schedule a “can't miss” program for when they had a few moments of downtime? Or wanted to listen to multiple episodes of a favorite show back-to-back?

We’re excited to introduce the latest channel for the litl webbook: NPR Anytime. The channel, available immediately for free to litl webbook owners, provides easy “on demand” access to more than 800 of NPR’s podcasted shows. Users can enjoy shows missed during their live broadcast, create their own custom programming schedule, and, more generally, listen to their NPR favorites when, where, and how they choose.

“Our family has always been fans of public radio, but we used to miss a lot of our favorite shows because we were so busy. Now, if we miss a show, we use our litl to quickly get caught up. I can also pick and choose what I listen to while I’m working in my home office, cleaning up in the kitchen, or just relaxing around the house,” says blogger and mom Mia Wenjen. “The NPR channel makes our litl even more useful for me and my family.”

Marsha Collier, author and media personality, adds, “I’m drawn to the litl because of its versatility. It does regular web browsing, but I like it just as much when it’s perched upright on my kitchen counter or night table. It’s not just a computer now, it’s also a clock, a web TV, a photo frame, a radio, a Facebook viewer, and even an NPR podcast player.”

What do you think? Will “on demand” access to NPR's shows help make the litl webbook the ideal kitchen computer for your family? Let us know—here, on Facebook, or on Twitter.

The litl webbook operates in 2 modes for maximum versatility. In its unique "easel" mode, users enjoy web content ranging from NPR's podcasts and online photos to web video and news headlines.

Even from across a room, the NPR Anytime channel quickly communicates what show is being enjoyed. By way of the litl webbook's on-hinge scroll wheel or optional remote control, users can pause playback, jump forward or backward, or browse other episodes.

Most of NPR's podcasted shows have multiple episodes available for "on demand" listening. Users can read a description of each show, review what episodes are available, and make their listening selection.

“I have seriously considered tossing my computer out the window,” writes the Newark Star-Ledger's Allan Hoffman at the start of his review of the litl webbook. “Though miraculous in their capabilities, today’s personal computers can be a chore to operate and maintain, especially when we’re using them for everyday activities like checking e-mail, surfing the web and sorting through photos.”

We couldn’t agree more. So when it came time to design the litl, we had two options:

1. Build a computer that could withstand defenestration, or
2. Start from scratch to build a home computer without the “computer-y” stuff.

We went with the latter.

Hoffman goes on to talk about several of the improvements litl has made in home computing, including easel mode, which “genuinely transforms the litl into something other than personal computer.”

There may be no greater compliment than that.

The full review is a testament to the breakthroughs in simplicity we have achieved with the litl webbook. Read the full review at NJ.com.

Thanks to Allan for his interest in the litl webbook.

Marsha Collier and Marc Cohen, well-known hosts of the “Computer and Technology Radio” show interviewed litl’s head of marketing, James Gardner, over the weekend. The interview was broadcast live on KTRB San Francisco and worldwide on the Internet.

Marsha shared her first-hand experience with the litl webbook and then the group discussed some of the computer’s more unique capabilities. Babette Pepaj, CEO and founder of BakeSpace, joined the call midstream to talk about the litl webbook’s recently launched BakeSpace Recipes channel. The new channel offers litl webbook users easy access to the website’s more than 50,000 member-submitted recipes.

Listen to Marsha, Marc, James, and Babette discuss the litl webbook:

Thanks to Marsha and Marc for their interest in the litl webbook! We appreciated the opportunity to join the weekend’s show.

Download interview MP3: Marsha Collier and Marc Cohen - litl webbook interview 03-2010

First, we redesigned our signature channel, Mediawall. In particular, we improved speed and made navigation more intuitive when looking through your timeline and albums.

Second, we expanded the photo services we support within Mediawall. You've always been able to view your photos from Flickr and Shutterfly - now we opened up Picasa and SmugMug.

You can also now upload photos and videos to our supported sites conveniently from your litl using a USB card reader, and they'll go straight to your Mediawall.

And we created a fun game that turns your Mediawall photos into scrambled puzzles. You can find that in the new and improved card catalogue.

Finally, we've made improvements to the litl’s software based on your feedback. One of the features you have asked for is two-finger navigation in card view, so we added that gesture. It’s as easy as that.

Getting these updates is a snap - Just leave your litl webbook turned on tonight and connected to your home wireless network. We'll take care of everything else.

Please visit our website, litl.com, and we’d be happy to help you get started. Thanks for your patience.

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 TweetDeck

spanglishbaby
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 TweetDeck

TinyOrangesOC
@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.)

The view from the SV Moms Group event in Laguna-Niguel

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.

vimeo video
youtube video

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Gregory Huang

Our CEO, John Chuang, added his perspective, concluding that we're pursuing a fundamentally different vision for the future of personal computing:

Ultimately, we are about a much bigger change in how operating systems work and how computers work. We are about [the] operating-system-as-a-service, about being extremely maintenance-free, about content, about synching. [The iPad] is more of a traditional device—an extension of the mobile platform, which we’ve seen, but at the end of the day it’s still local hardware, with local storage, and that’s not what we’re trying to accomplish.

As John's previously described, litl is premised on the fundamental belief that personal computing, especially at home, will continue its rapid move to the cloud. Email and photos transitioned first, but casual gaming, web video, video chat, social networking, and even productivity apps are all following fast. And yet, the hardware and software tools we use to enjoy the web are still mostly based on "pre-web" thinking: powerful on-board processors with large hard drives supporting local operating systems and standalone software.

We don't think this mismatch between consumer behavior and computing devices can endure. More than anything, it creates unnecessary complexity and compels consumers to become de facto systems administrators. Outside of the technical community, few consumers have an interest in updating software, backing up hard drives, or patching their operating system: they want the web to be fun and they want it to be easy.

The mismatch also stunts innovation by tying manufacturers and consumers to outdated thinking. John Gruber, technology observer and pundit, lamented the dearth of innovative thinking, "If a small startup can build the Litl, why couldn’t a big company like Dell or Sony? People today still love HP calculators made 30 or even 40 years ago. Has HP made anything this decade that anyone will remember fondly even five years from now? Inkjet printers?".

So, we at litl have chosen a very different path from the tablet and other traditional computing devices. Learn more about it on our website. And, if you agree with our thinking, please tell your friends and help us change the world a "litl" bit

Photo credit: John Harvey

In the coming months, we've got a whole slate of other cards and channels coming out, plus the release of our SDK. But hey - sometimes even the simplest tool can be exciting. Just ask these guys.

CEO/founder John Chuang and Software Engineer David Ignacio

It must be Friday afternoon! Shall we try for a 4-high litl pyramid next week, or something even more radical? Leave a comment below with ideas for what you'd like to see John and David build.