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Happy Sunday! We return after a 2-day hiatus — we were on a top-secret road-trip that we’ll be sharing more about with you soon. Tonight, we continue our Top 10 UMPC Predictions series and we’ll waste no time jumping right into the fun…

Prediction #4: The “Internet Cohort” generation will make the UMPC a cool tool

Just as with cellphones, webcams, IM, T9 SMS and myspace accounts, the “Internet Cohort” generation (i.e. today’s youth who grew up in a connected, wireless world) will latch onto the UMPC and utilize it as the ultimate device to multi-task and stay in constant contact with their world and their friends.

With its relatively low-price, small form factor and an array of connectivity and input mechanisims, the Ultra Mobile PC could be that one device that effectively bridges the laptop/cellphone divide to become a teenager’s on-the-go nirvana.

And parent’s might just fall for the “it will help me with my homework” line. Besides, all the cool kids have one!

Our first poll is officially over. Thanks to all of you that voted… all 51 of you.

With this massive sampling of target consumers, we can safely conclude that people want cheap UMPCs. You just can’t refute stats like this.

Don’t even try.

We’ve all seen the glamour shots of the sweet Intel “white-n-red” swivel prototype UMPC. I had never actually seen the thing in action. I want this badly.

Nice, indeed.

Welcome to day 3 of our 10-day series covering our top UMPC predictions. While we continue to rattle off what we see in our crystal ball, we would love to hear what you see in yours. So, shoot us a line and let us know what you think the future holds for the Ultra Mobile PC.

Prediction #3: A dedicated peripheral industry will emerge

We’ve watched as several successful consumer technology products have paved the way for lucrative periphreal aftermarkets whose revenue and profit can rival those of the device itself. The iPod is certainly the model example here.

We believe that the UMPC/Origami will follow in those same footsteps, but to a lesser extent and at a much slower pace. However, you can expect that the market will rush to supply everything from hard cases to day-planner-like leather portfolios to screen protectors to case skins that let you add some personality to the bland industrial stylings we’re currently seeing from the manufacturers.

Of course, most things on that list of examples are table-stakes. It’s the high dollar peripherals that will be the most exciting. These add-ons will cover everything from device docks and keyboards to tv tuners and satellite radio receivers.

But, what else, besides the obvious, could roll down the UMPC peripheral pipe and really set a bar for UMPC innovation or even become the platform’s killer app? We certainly don’t know the answer to that, but we’ll make some suggestions. An easy to use, all-in-one field audo recording/mixing kit would be a welcome addition. As would an analog control pad attachment that could make playing certain game genres even easier.

The possibilites are endless as the UMPC really is a device that strikes a singularly unique balance between size, functionality and price. I’m sure I’ll spend as much on UMPC extras as I have on iPod extras (translation: I will be spending alot!)

A lot of folks have been asking me what this Ultra Mobile PC contraption is all about. And to tell you the truth, I’ve lacked a simple answer. Is it a super-PDA? A mini-tablet? A keyboardless-laptop? A PSP killer? Or something else entirely? And once I do decide on my description/answer du jour, it inevitably leads to more and more questions.

That’s why I appreciate this FAQ from Computerworld. It spells out the basic ins-and-outs of the UMPC in a speedy and entertaining way, allowing me to minimize the need to interact with other people.

If you’ve seen any other great FAQs on the UMPC/Origami, please add a comment to this post with the link.

Yesterday we stated that our Top 10 predictions would range from the oh-so-obvious to the oh-so-ludicrous. We’ll be interested to see where you think this prediction fits within that spectrum.

UMPC Prediction #2: The UMPC will have a place next to your TV remote

While the UMPC will make good use of its ability to leverage many traditional Windows applications, its unique size and generous connectivity capabilities will take it well beyond its OS roots. Case-in-point: The Ultra Mobile PC will become a central “hub” that controls your Media Center PC, your home network and perhaps even your Xbox 360. And it will excel at being able to perform those remote control functions, uh, remotely. Forget to record the new episode of Battlestar Galactica? No problem. The UMPC can set that up for you… no matter where you are. Want to watch that newly recorded episode of BSG? No problem. The UMPC can pull it up and stream it to you… no matter where you are. Want add that new BSG to your season archive? No problem. Your UMPC can compress it and send it over to your media SAN… no matter where you are.

Certainly all of this is possible today via laptops and even some PDAs, but it will be the UMPC that brings an elegance and ease to the process. And it is the UMPC that will finally bring a ubiquitous experience to controling your security system, your lighting sysyem, your A/V and your computing infrastructure, bridging the gap between home and road.

All hail the new uber-remote!

There’s an old saying made by Wharton alumni: “If it ain’t a big idea, it ain’t a Wharton idea!”

Ok, I totally made that up, but it pretty much captures the spirit of this article from Wharton where direct comparisons are made between the UMPC and a tube of Pringles:

“When Procter & Gamble created Pringles potato chips, the product initially struggled. Once P&G began marketing Pringles as a snack food and not a potato chip alternative, the brand did well. In a similar fashion, Microsoft could create a product category and then find a new market for it.”

To save you any undue pain, here are the key take-aways from the article from my perspective: