Hands On Video Of the OQO Model 2+

Posted by | 01/07/2009 | 11 Comments

image Earlier this evening, I spent some time with OQO’s Bob Rosin and got some hands-on time with the their new Model 2+. The OQO Model 2+ is available in two configurations: Standard 1.33 ghz model at $999 and Advanced 1.86 ghz   model at $1499. After viewing this video, be sure to look at our close up pictures, first impressions, and specs, too. Folks, the Model 2+ is a HUGE improvement over the Model 02: a beautiful and crisp OLED display which looks fantastic from every angle; greatly reduced fan noise — I never heard it during our interview and we were playing h.264 video; 2GB of RAM; an Intel Atom 1.86 Z540 processor, and reduced pricing. For those concerned with the OLED screen maintaining its brightness over time, they shouldn’t be: after 3 years running 10 hours a day, it will still have retained 80% of its’ original brightness. The Model 2+ touch screen is a passive digitizer, and no longer active. Due to the touch screen, there is also a bezel present, which was not there on the Model 02. All of the existing accessories from the Model 02 ( battery, dock, etc) are compatible with the Model 2+. Warner gave the inking a try later in the night, and although the ink was a little jaggy, there was no vectoring issues. The capacitive touch scrollers have also been removed. Video:

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Category: Featured, Hardware, Mobile

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As the Founding Editor for GottaBeMobile.com, Rob oversaw the growth and overall direction for content, advertising, and management of the site. Keep up with Rob at RobBushway.com Send email to Rob
  • JC

    Does the Model 2+ still have the capacitive scrollers at the edge of the screen? (i.e., they’d be on the bezel now.) It doesn’t look like it from the pictures. However, the screen is so bright, it’s hard to see any detail (if any) on the bezel.

  • http://present-without-purpose.com TheEminentGeek

    OMGosh…I need one of these to make my life complete!

  • fraggo

    Well I have to say OQO did one hell of a job with the 02+, adding an OLED screen in there. I was not going to believe it until I saw it on video and now my suspicions have cleared. The price had me surprised even more considering you get the advanced model for the same price that the VIA model started at a few weeks ago.

  • http://www.gottabemobile.com Rob Bushway

    the screen is totally amazing.

    @jc – there are no capacitive touch scrollers anymore – they removed them. checkout our pictures post, too.

  • Lukasz

    The device looks incredible. Given some of the much cheaper and comprable technology seen at CES, Im just having a hard time figuring how this device will fit into the marketplace. Aside from the small form factor what are the advantages?

    With all the netbooks and Celio software (given a reasonable price point), you could essentially combine your computer and cellphone into one device. You get the benefits of the large keyboard and screen size, plus have internet access through your data plan. You have the best of both worlds for somewhere between $600-1200 (at most). Plus Phones are only getting more powerful (Talk of intel Atom in them) so how does OQO intend to compete in the market place at this price point? (BTW, Im not affiliated with industry in anyway)

  • Lukasz

    I initally missed the $999 starting price point and that the $1500 is for the full-blow-your-mind model…This truly does make it more enticing. Still the cost of peipherals and plans…..

  • JC

    @Rob: Thanks. I guess the thinking is that no one needs them with a touchscreen. I hope you guys get to spend more time with the OQO and write up your experiences.

    @Lukasz; the advantage of the OQO is how much computational power it packs into such a small space. If you want a large keyboard and a large screen, then the OQO isn’t even in the running for your money. (In fact, my recurring question is how many people want the most computationally powerful Atom Intel makes in a 3.3inx5.5in package?)

    As for talk of Intel Atom in cellphones, right now, that’s just talk. If you’re willing to wait for their TDP to drop by an order of magnitude to match processors currently being used in cellphones, then waiting is probably the best thing to do. Otherwise, you’re left with choosing from devices that actually exist. Of course, some hypothetical piece of vaporware will kick the pants off a piece of real hardware.

  • http://www.innovative.bm Norman D. Robinson

    I still don’t understand why there is no SD slot for instant memory expansion and no webcam in the upper right hand corner of the damn thing. I just saw the “LG” watch phone and it has a webcam installed and working in the thing. Also…, why does an iPhone have a flush smooth touch screen without a bezel edge and the OQO 2+ is the opposite..??

    Yes.., the OLED screen is truly a move in the right direction. Using the “Atom” proc. was a no brainer. I also hope there is a nice plan being laid out for the ION chipset in the very near future. (Q3 or 4 ’09) The build quality is there I’ll give OQO that, no one appears to come close them.

    However, my points above really make me wonder whether or not OQO wants this to blow up big? You know the old saying right….??? “The devil is in the details.”

    Please OQO address the three points above, SD slot, smooth flush touch screen like an iPhone and the addition of a webcam for goodness sakes. Who at OQO is saying no to the webcam..??!! My colleagues and I would love to hand you our credit cards and sing your company’s praises. Call it 2.1 or something.

    If not…., we are going to go and purchase “Sony Vaio P’s” the 1.86GHz version. Sony has hit the ball out of the park with this product.

    BTW…, we’re very serious about the purchase, you have 6 months to comply.

    Signed,

    Card in Hand
    “I really hope someone is taking these comments to a decision maker at OQO…???”

    P.S. Make sure the HDMI port also supports audio.

  • GoX

    Hopefully it should be possible to boot from Mac OS X. Then it will be perfect!

  • http://www.ReillyHouseBuyers.com Mike Reilly

    In addition to sd (or micro sd) slot, camera, & webcam, I need (want) it to have:

    1) active + touch screen. My prime reason for a tablet is to take notes, and it’s apparant from Rob’s mini-review that the note taking is jaggy.

    2) a phone. It could either have mic and ear holes built-in like a regular phone, or have a speakerphone built in, and matched to a bluetooth ear/mic-phone. If they can’t do it on this one, it needs to be in the next one (of course, I don’t want to wait).

    3) Reduce the bezel size, and increase screen size to 5.5″ or 6″. This is not critical, just a want. We can’t have the unit getting any bigger.
    If I get the phone want, this might make it too big. With a 5″ phone screen, reducing the bezel could make it smaller.

  • Paul

    Nice. Will buy when the screen tilts up. Let me know.

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