If you’re one of those who have just gotten your hands on a Samsung Q1 Ultra UMPC, or are looking to, you might want to bookmark this thread in the GBM Forums started by L0GiX. Not only has he been giving his first impressions but he’s now posting on his successes and failures as he tries to tweak the system. Of course, in my opinion, it is shame that we have to tweak these devices to get good performance in the first place, but hey, that’s where we appear to be. No matter, L0GiX is really doing a lot of legwork that will save you some steps down the road if you choose this path. Check it out here. (Source: Warner Crocker, GottaBeMobile)
Posted Thursday, June 14, 2007 by ChrisD Rating: 4Comments (0)
The N800 is not a phone, but an internet centric device with a much improved design when compared to the 770 internet tablet. The overall build quality is excellent, with a few minor gripes like the loose battery compartment and high screen edges. The package is typical Nseries with all the extras, well except for the memory card used as they only included a 128Mb card, maybe a 512mb or even 1Gb card coupled with a 128 Mb for RAM would have been perfect. The N800 has a huge feature list with impressive hardware running it all, I’m talking here about the OMAP2 chip, too bad that the TV-out and 3D rendering part have been left unused, again the hardware and feature list is good, but adding these two things would have made it perfect. On the software side of things it uses a powerful platform with multi-tasking at its core. Together with a 128Mb for RAM this thing is a multi-tasking beast allowing you to run an insane amount of apps at the same time. This is something that even Nokia’s other phones can learn from. The software caters to all users, having most functionality included in the basic package, while more can be added to expand its capabilities. The N800 is a well-rounded media player offering all the basics plus adding things that most media players can only dream of, like a camera, chatting, installation of apps. It also has an exceptional audio quality using either the stereo speaker or the 3.5mm jack. It’s only weak point is that most media players tend to use hard drives with much higher storage capacity. If Nokia can add SDHC card support this could then be alleviated a bit. The N800 is recommended for anyone from those just getting comfy with technology to the most advanced mobile gadget lover. The N800 is a good device to access internet services and double as a media player. This coupled with its compact size already proved it to be useful, but its true potential is only limited by what you can think of. This is one of the very few devices other then a PC/laptop that will prove its usefulness in many and varied situations. The N800 get’s a well deserved 8.9 out of 10. (Source: Devin, Gadgetnutz)
Posted Thursday, June 14, 2007 by ChrisD Rating: 4Comments (0)
Loren describes on June 12 why he's still programming, including for Tablet PCs, Ultra-Mobile PCs and other mobiles, after 30 years.
What strikes me as I sit here and reflect on my years of programming, is that what interests me today is very much the same things that have excited me all along--the things I do not know... I had a great teacher and a couple of friends that were as enthusiastic about learning ... that we just figured things out as we went along. (Source: Robert Heiny, Tablet PC Questions)
Posted Thursday, June 14, 2007 by ChrisD Rating: 3Comments (0)
The way that Microsoft and Intel originally billed UMPCs as a supplement to laptops rather than a replacement masks the essential fact that the compromises implicit in such a device make its potential market minuscule.
This isn't to say that the UBiQUiO 701 is in itself bad -- while it does have negative qualities, in my opinion it is by and large a good representative of its class, and these drawbacks are what one might call a species trait. But having used it, I'm now more convinced than ever that UMPCs are still a solution in search of a problem.
While I can envision certain niches that might benefit from the UBiQUiO 701, it's mainstream appeal and utility are low. It's not powerful enough to be a laptop replacement, it's not small enough to be a portable multimedia machine, and it's not elegant enough to be pretty much anything else. (Source: AdamaDBrown , Brighthand)
A slide-up touchscreen panel reveals an OLED touchscreen keyboard which can obviously change layout depending on preference or language. It’s a multi-touch screen, responsive to both finger-presses and a dedicated pen called “senstylus”; if you need more traditional methods of interaction then you can slot it into any one of a number of docks, each designed for different tasks. (Source: Chris Davies, SlashGear)
The 14-inch display (of unspecified resolution) looks very glossy and because it's a tablet, we have to assume that it's a touchscreen. I like the dock for the laptop as the display can slide around on the sides, providing you with whatever angle you want. The most interesting form, however, is when you plunk it into the LCD TV dock, because that's even got built-in speakers. Naturally, the Montevallo has an integrated TV tuner. (Source: Michael Kwan, Mobile Mag)
Posted Wednesday, June 13, 2007 by ChrisD Rating: 2Comments (0)
Speaking of devices, attendees will get a first look at mobile WiMAX consumer electronics at the Nokia Siemens Networks booth, which will be linchpins to uptake for the mobile WiMAX service; the Nokia N770 Internet tab-let on view will be WiMAX-enabled and launched in 2008. Also, be on the lookout for various demos of 4G; for example, Alcatel-Lucent will be holding a live interactive conference over WiMAX in which a person outside the convention center using a WiMAX-enabled tablet PC will move between two adjacent WiMAX base stations on board a Segway Transporter vehicle, while the VoIP/video session remains “live.” Meanwhile, Veraz Networks, a media gateway vendor, also will be showcasing its ability to support WiMAX deployments. (Source: Tara Seals, xchange online)
Posted Wednesday, June 13, 2007 by ChrisD Rating: 3Comments (0)
Superiority knows no boundaries with the Fujitsu LifeBook U1010, a sleek ultra mobile PC packed with features meant for work and leisure. Celebrating Fujitsu’s debut into the UMPC market, this remarkable mobile entertainment device is the perfect personal companion for professionals on the go. This mobile computing breakthrough doubles up not only as a portable computer but also as a digital media player.
Asia Pacific, June 12, 2007 — Fujitsu PC Asia Pacific today proudly launches its first ever ultra mobile PC series, the futuristically-inspired LifeBook U1010. Created explicitly for the tech lover, mobile executives and field professionals, this small wonder ends your search for the ultimate mobile entertainment device. Bundled with optimum capabilities in its svelte frame, this compact gadget is set to impress!
Staying true to Fujitsu’s thin and lightweight motto, the LifeBook U1010 weighs just over half a kilogram, thanks to its high density mounting technology and lightweight, 0.3mm glass LCD screen. But don’t be fooled by its petite frame. This mini powerhouse can handle multiple operational possibilities like watching movies and listening to music, viewing and editing documents, video-conferencing as well as surfing the Internet – all that you can do on your hand-held, tablet and notebook PC! What’s more, it comes with a newly designed, ultra slim 0.2mm aluminum plated QWERTY keyboard, which does not add to the device’s weight or thickness. The U1010, world’s smallest in its class , is among the very few UMPCs which has such an astounding feature.
An even greater delight is the device’s convertible, swivel form factor – a first in the UMPC market – which gives you the flexibility of using the LifeBook U1010 like a hand-held, tablet or notebook PC. To top things off, it has a Palm Resistance touch screen that allows your fingers to do the walking, in the absence of a stylus. Just touch and go. Its unique Glide Point Pointing device also makes interaction with your personal companion that much easier.
And as with all Fujitsu PCs, the LifeBook U1010 is packed with a suite of security features that guarantees the confidentiality of your information. Through the Trusted Platform Module support and 2-level BIOS lock, your documents are safe from prying eyes. In addition, the UMPC is equipped with a fingerprint sensor that lets you encrypt sensitive files with a swipe of your finger. No password is more secure than that of your fingerprint!
Busy executives will definitely require a mobile device that has long battery life. The LifeBook U1010 fulfills this need as it runs on the Intel’s latest Ultra Mobile Platform 2007, which has the lowest power consumption for optimised battery life. How is that possible? Well, this stellar performer is installed with the latest UMPC CPU whose Thermal Design Power is up to 80 percent lower than Intel’s current Ultra Low Voltage CPU. In general, U1010’s platform takes up 25 percent less power than the 2006 UMPC platform, giving it battery life that extends beyond most devices. This is definitely sweet music to the ears of entertainment junkies who like spending time on the move watching movies, boogying to the latest tunes or playing games. With the U1010, work and play becomes a seamless transition.
“Fujitsu is constantly redefining the boundaries of technology and with the birth of the LifeBook U1010, we have once again placed ourselves in a distinct niche. By marrying exquisite form factor with powerful functions, our very first tablet-convertible UMPC will create waves in the market. We have not only managed to create a fun product to cater to the leisure side of our consumers, we’ve also added a serious element to it – a mobile workstation for active professionals who are constantly on the move. What more can you ask for? Once you’ve experienced the U1010, you wouldn’t want to let it go!” says Mr Hanson Yap, Associate Product Manager.
To cap things off, Fujitsu remains firmly committed to the promotion of a cleaner environment, implementing the European Union’s Restriction of Hazardous Substances directive (RoHS) across our entire range of products, allowing Fujitsu to stay keenly focused on our customers’ health and well-being, embracing a healthier environment for all.
* As of 16 May 2007, according to Fujitsu investigations. (Source: Press Release)
Rugged from the ground up for field-deployed workers, the GoBook MR-1 delivers exceptional durability, performance, multi-wireless capability and outdoor screen clarity in a compact, game-changing form factor
General Dynamics Itronix announced today a full-featured, fully rugged computer in the "ultra-mobile" category that is designed to meet the portability and durability needs of industrial, commercial, military and government customers. The GoBook MR-1 is a two-pound, full-function rugged notebook measuring 4.3 inches by 6 inches, allowing users to work on a portable, lightweight, reduced-footprint machine, with a superior outdoor viewable display, wherever duty takes them.
"We are seeing market interest in smaller, more portable devices that still have all the functionality of a full-fledged notebook," said David Daoud, research manager, United States Quarterly PC Tracker and Personal Systems, IDC. "The GoBook MR-1 is likely to find a receptive audience among the highly mobile workforce in segments such as government, utilities, communications, and field services in need of a fully functional PC in a ruggedized ultra-small form factor."
Mike DiBiase is vice president of computing technologies for General Dynamics C4 Systems. "This ultra-mobile notebook was developed with the needs of both defense and commercial users in mind," DiBiase said. "The development and successful launch speaks to the company's ability to address the rugged computing needs of customers in virtually all conditions and operating environments."
The 5.6-inch SVGA-W GoBook MR-1 runs with the full Windows XP Pro operating system (and Vista by the end of 2007), which helps to reduce training and support costs by providing users and IT management with a familiar interface. The GoBook MR-1 also features the new patent-pending DynaVue(TM) touchscreen display technology as an option. This innovative display technology, announced in May, provides dramatically improved outdoor screen viewability while optimizing battery life and processing power for ultra-mobile end users.
"The GoBook MR-1 new notebook form factor provides extreme portability and mobility, without sacrificing any of the features of a full-size rugged notebook, and best of all, it will also run on Vista utilizing the latest in today's technology," said John Ball, general manager, U.S. Systems Builder, Microsoft. "I am excited that a key manufacturer is delivering such innovation to users who require computing solutions in many extreme environments."
GoBook MR-1 Product Features
The GoBook MR-1 packs the capabilities of a full notebook computer into a clamshell notebook small enough to fit into a coat pocket. The GoBook MR-1 is as powerful and rugged as it is ergonomic and portable, sporting the lightest and smallest footprint of any rugged, ultra-mobile notebook. The GoBook MR-1 also provides the user multiple navigational input devices through a touchpad interface as well as a micro joystick for optimal flexibility in cursor navigation and selection.
Performance
The GoBook MR-1 is built with state of the art technology, giving it the power to leverage multi-threaded applications, graphics commonly found in field deployed workforce environments such as public safety and field service, or military, and boost overall speed and performance:
-- 1.2Ghz Intel Core Solo(TM) U1400 Processor ("Napa" chipset). -- 533 MHz front side bus. -- Up to 1 GB of RAM. -- 3D Intel Extreme Graphics with up to 128MB of graphics memory (both shared and dedicated). -- 3- and 6-hour battery life options: 4000 mAH (29W) Lithium Polymer main battery or optional 8000 mAH (59W) Lithium Polymer extended battery pack.
Ergonomics Built for fully rugged mobility, the GoBook MR-1 features: -- Smallest and lightest rugged notebook form factor -- weighs only 2 lbs and comes in an easy to use 1.56" (H) x 6.0" (W) x 4.33" (D) rugged clam-shell device. -- 5.6" wide SVGA outdoor viewable LCD display, built with optional DynaVue patent-pending touchscreen display technology for unmatched outdoor viewability. -- Ergonomically designed, sealed keyboard. -- Dual navigational options include touchpad/micro joystick. -- Office dock and vehicle mounting options. -- Standard hard drive heater. -- 16 GB or 32 GB solid state hard disk drive option.
Ruggedness
The GoBook MR-1 provides the highest level of durability, designed to meet or exceed MIL-STD 810F for temperature and drop, as well as vibration testing. The unit is also IP-54 rated for dust and humidity making it suitable for use in harsh and unpredictable environments. The GoBook MR-1 was designed to be rugged from the inside out and meant to survive in harsh, unpredictable environments. The unit features shock-mounted display and key internal components, and is housed in a magnesium alloy clamshell case with impact absorbing bumpers. The GoBook MR-1 will be vehicle-mount crash-tested for in-vehicle safety. Additionally, the GoBook MR-1 will be compliant with Hazardous Locations (HazLoc) UL1604 Class I, Division 2, Group A, B, C & D.
Wireless Connectivity
Like all GoBook notebooks, the GoBook MR-1 features the ability to manage multiple embedded wireless radios and standards, with upgrade protection to accommodate new wireless standards as they emerge:
-- Up to four wireless radios, simultaneous WLAN, PAN, GPS and WWAN (Dec. '07) -- Leading edge, high-speed data transfer with worldwide 3G and EVDO cellular support. -- Seamless roaming for uninterrupted coverage, even in fringe areas. -- Upgradeable wireless support to accommodate existing as well as future wireless technologies.
Security
The GoBook MR-1 was built to offer unmatched data and asset protection, with support for multiple user and network authentication options. Security features include a user-removable 40 GB or optional 80 GB shock mounted hard drive (with optional solid state hard drives in 16 GB and 32 GB), fingerprint reader, TPM 1.2, and file/folder locking capabilities, and stealth-mode keyboard and display settings for secure environments, as well as configurable access to all input/output devices for data transfer restriction and multiple asset protection features.
Modular flexibility
The GoBook MR-1 is engineered to include modular, innovative expansion module ("slice") architecture. The expansion module enables users to integrate legacy I/O interface functionality and additional accessories. The expansion module/slice can be customized for additional expansion such as PCMCIA. An expansion module ("slice") is required for the 80 GB hard drive option as well as the TPM 1.2 security feature.
Availability, /Pricing and Service
The GoBook MR-1 base configuration will be generally available in September 2007 at the suggested USD retail price of $4,450. The unit is backed by a three-year warranty and supported by end-to-end customer care services including value programs like "one-call" Mobility Help Desk for enterprise and government customers. The notebook may be purchased through a General Dynamics Itronix channel partner or directly by calling (800) 441-1309. (Source: Press Release)
Motion Computing today received approval from the FCC to integrate HSDPA-based wireless broadband capability in its latest tablet PC models.
The HSDPA feature is expected to be announced by the company soon and to be offered side-by-side to the existing EV-DO option. (Source: Wolfgang Gruener, tgdaily)
Curiously, 15 years after the Fortune Magazine interview, Gates is still talking about pen computing, calling himself an “unrepentant” believer in the tablet form factor.
I think you’ll have voice [activated commands]. I think you’ll have ink. You’ll have some way of having a hardware keyboard and some settings for that,” Gates says of the future tablet PC. (Source: Chin Wong, Manila Standard Today)
Lenovo's ThinkPad X61 has been the talk of the Tablet community since its release and after spending a few days with it, I can see why. The matte black finish and rugged feel of the X61 is right away appealing. The overall design is solid and its based on the new Intel Santa Rosa platform. It seems that the X61 has taken care of all the flaws its predecessor, the X60, had. Meaning it has better performance, benchmark results and battery life.
Front view of the ThinkPad X61 in notebook mode. (Source: Tiffany Boggs, TabletPCReview.com)
I finally got a hand on the long-waited Flybook V5 this weekend and played with it for couple days. For those that are not familiar with Flybook, they are a Taiwan-manufactured notebooks and distributed by a European company called Holbe Dialogue. Flybook V5 is their third version of the sub-notebook convertible tablet. Utilizing 8.9″ screen form factor, it is quite compact to carry it around but still practical to use.
One of the main reason for people to get these units are because of the built-in GSM module within the device. Flybook V5 is no exception. It comes with built-in HSDPA (the fastest data transfer that is currently supported by AT&T through their 3G network). It also support the slower GSM data speed (EDGE and GPRS). Another nice feature is you can actually use this notebook to do voice calling.
OK enough recapping the main highlight of the Flybook. Now the remaining questions will be what’s new on this V5 model? How does it compare with the V33i? Is it worthed to upgrade? (Source: iCube's Muliadi Jeo, via GottaBeMobile)
AMD will next year launch a processor specifically designed for ultra-mobile PCs (UMPCs), the chip maker revealed last week at the Computex show in Taipei.
Details remain scarce, but the chip is currently codenamed 'Bobcat', a feline moniker that perhaps aligns it with 'Puma', AMD's upcoming notebook platform. Puma comprises new mobile chipsets and AMD's 'Griffin' processor, the first CPU it has designed specifically for mobile applications rather than a tweaked version of its desktop processors. (Source: Tony Smith, Reg Hardware)
Asustek Computer Inc. (ASUS) of Taiwan will make full-scale entry into the market for robust notebook personal computers as early as the fall of 2007. At COMPUTEX TAIPEI 2007 held in Taipei, Taiwan, ASUS exhibited the Hermes Ultra-Mobile PC (UMPC) with 7-inch LCD display and a robust notebook computer under the brandname N13i that employs the new Centrino Duo platform (codename: Santa Rosa) launched from Intel Corp. in May 2007. (Source: Hiroto Kaneko, Tech-On)
Posted Monday, June 11, 2007 by ChrisD Rating: 4Comments (0)
Marc Orchant and James Kendrick both have recently picked up Lenovo ThinkPad x61 Tablet PCs and in show #38 discuss the x61 from stem to stern. James has the SXGA+ (1440x1040) screen and Marc has the MultiTouch XGA screen and the two compare the virtues of each.
James' x61 has the Intel Turbo Memory option, which is a flash memory cache designed to speed up disk access and program loading. Marc has the integrated WWAN option instead. Join our hosts for a roundabout conversation that covers all aspects of the first ThinkPad Tablet PC with the Santa Rosa Core 2 Duo processor.
Both hosts discuss how they used different methods to get the information and settings from their old Tablet PC over to the ThinkPad. James used the Belkin Easy Transfer cable and Marc used the included Lenovo System Migration Assistant to accomplish the same thing. The Belkin is available for use on non-ThinkPad PCs.
One of the most useful utilities you will find for any PC is Anagram and the two discuss the latest version which is now Vista and Outlook 2007 compatible. You will also hear that the program has been optimized for the Tablet PC.
Listen here ( MP3, 21.3 MB, 62 minutes) (Source: jkOnTheRun)
The Ubiquio 701 is a bit of a mixed bag. It's clear that a lot of thought has gone into the design of the thing. The controls have been well thought out and make the device easy to use – probably more so than Samsung's Q1 and certainly more so than the smaller, lighter keyboard-equipped Sony UX1. I really liked the way every control fell to hand (or thumb) and was easy to access and understand.
But, alas, there are just too many negatives here to give the 701 a wholehearted recommendation. Battery life is average, physical connectivity is lacking and the heat dissipation issue is a serious negative. And though it is cheap for a UMPC, at £580 compared to £690 for the Samsung, it's still not wonderful value when you consider how much you get in a budget laptop these days. (Source: Jonathan Bray, TrustedReviews)
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