UMPC Explorers! | Ultranauts.com » 2006

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An interesting article in IT Week today talks to the war that is currently brewing between Nokia and the lowly UMPC.

Nokia believes it has a device format that could even challenge Microsoft’s Ultra-Mobile PC (UMPC) platform.

Nokia’s uber-device is, of course, mobile computing’s red-headed step-child, aka the Nokia 770 Internet Tablet. As you likely know, it’s a device that utilizes Linux, Opera, WLAN, Bluetooth and a features a 4-inch screen that all the other UMPCs just laugh at. But, it’s that Napoleonic feature that Nokia believes will lead it to complete world domination.

“The UMPC shows there is demand for this type of handheld, but Origami [UMPC] devices are basically a squeezed-down laptop,” he said. By comparison, the 770 can easily be carried anywhere the user goes.

Maybe so, but does anyone remember the Nokia N-Gage/Tace Phone that was supposed to kill the PSP and the Gameboy? Yep, neither do I. Read all of the ~~wishful thinking~~ article here.

If there is one aspect of the UMPC roll-out that has been an unqualified success, it’s the name/acronym: UMPC. Everything under the sun is now apparently a UMPC, including Sony’s new devices and Apple’s rumored devices.

Now even relatively ancient devices like the OQO Model 01 are now apparently UMPCs too. But with a twist: it’s a UMPC-Pro.

OQO is committed to setting and maintaining the standards in the UMPC-Pro marketplace and is again demonstrating our leadership position.

That’s a nice bit of marketing (though I doubt it has much of an impact). Who wants a plain old UMPC when for a couple of bucks more you can get the UMPC-Pro? Well, I guess I do. I want both!

{Via Mobiletechreview}

Over the weekend, we posted two rumors: one regarding the possibility of a real Dell UMPC and the other dealing with an important announcement coming from TabletKiosk in the coming weeks. I hesitated posting the rumors as I prefer to deal in facts most of the time. But these rumors came from someone with a heck of alot of credibility. So, I took the risk and ran with them.

And I guess I’m glad I did. Today I have a 100% confirmation that TabletKiosk is planning a major announcement in 6 to 8 weeks. I’ve seen the email directly from TabletKiosk talking to their plans. Unfortunately, the email did not go into any details on what the announcement might actually be about. But it is happening and I am excited.

And good for TabletKiosk… this is a team that seems to get marketing and knows how to interact with the community. Bravo. In one swoop they’ve again created some buzz and attention for themselves.

We’ll be waiting for that announcement, TabletKiosk!

So, “AustinBird” was bang on with one of his/her weekend rumors. Does that mean that the other rumor, the Dell UMPC rumor, will come true as well? I’m beginning to believe…

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Sony UX50 Oh, what to do? Amazon has a new rebate for the UMPC-like Sony Vaio UX180P (aka UX50). It’s a $150 rebate that puts the Sony at $1649.99. That’s getting within striking distance of the Samsung in my book. In my mind, I had rounded up and placed the UMPC and the new Vaio at almost $1k apart. The rebate breaks the mental barrier and gets the differnce down to just a few Benjamins.

Of course, I’m just practising my speech to my wife. So, thanks for indulging. And wish me luck!

If you are as enticed as I am, here’s a direct referral link to the Sony UX180P (UX50) rebate and order page as Amazon. Almost forgot, there’s no tax and free shipping… surely my better half will see the value in that!

Well, it is turning out to be quite a day. Ultranauts has never before posted rumor or innuendo, and today we’ve done it twice. This is Ultranauts rumor #2. It appears that “AustinBird” wasn’t done and has one more “absolutely confirmed fact” for lovers of all things UMPC.

This time it’s news that TabletKiosk, makers of the cute little eo UMPC, will be announcing something “major” related to ultra mobile computing “within the next 2 months.”

No additional details were given, and I don’t want to even speculate. Hopefully it’s more than a battery fix, though. We’ll keep a speculative eye on this one.

[Thanks “AustinBird.” I think.]

We’ve talked about Dell UMPCs before. But that was way back in April… on the 1st of April, in fact. We’ve just received some new information from a source who has proven 100% reliable in the past. And it also jives with Microsoft’s recent UMPC reboot and the new influx of new manufacturers and models.

Bottom-line? A Dell UMPC is officially on the drawing board and slated for release within the next 12 months. Not many specifics, but the designers are looking to differentiate from the pack with a design that is “indicative of the one shown in the promotional videos where the screen ‘turns out’ to reveal a keyboard.” Dell is apparently working to create a device that “appears” as small as possible. I don’t know what “appears as small as possible” actually means, but I would imagine it has to do with a small screen bezels and very rounded corners/edges… unless they are going to deviate from the standard 7″ screen size. Which might be possible given those recent Micorsoft comments and this little comment:

“Internally, the new computer isn’t really being called a UMPC too much anymore. They seem more comfortable with the term ‘Axim Evolution.’”

Is that a brand name? An internal code name? Or just the design team being nostalgic? I have no idea, but the possibility of a Dell UMPC just went up a couple of points in the credibility book.

[Thanks “AustinBird”]

Some great information, specs and impressions on the Samsung Q1 are available via TabletPCreviewspot.com. What I like about this particular review is the attention paid to the little details… the things that usually get glossed over in more mainstream reviews (such as build quality and up-close-and-personal pictures related to things like hinges and speaker quality). Very nice.

The bottom-line?

The Q1 is a perfect device for specific users who need to stay connected and productive on the go. Our advice is simply this: Do not expect the Q1 to be a “replacement” for a real Tablet PC or notebook computer. The Q1 and UMPC devices in general are an excellent alternative to users who wish to have much more functionality than they can get from a PDA, but to avoid carrying an entire Tablet PC or notebook computer everywhere.

Read the full review here.