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Thursday, January 10, 2008

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Engadget Swallows The Intel Kool-Aid on UMPC and MID

You’d think Engadget with all their resources would dig just a little deeper, but then, hey, CES can get a bit crazy as we all know. Proclaiming that they “finally bring to rest the following question: what the hell’s the difference between a UMPC and a MID.”, they take their cues from Intel’s Dan Monahan, swallow the company line, and basically wipe out some history and miss the real point of the story. Here’s what Dan (and Engadget) are pumping out.

A UMPC is a business class device for enterprise users. It runs a heavy OS like Vista and is optimized for office-use applications like Excel and Word. (Ok, hold your laughter.)

A MID is a consumer-class lifestyle device. It runs a lightweight OS (like Linux,) and is optimized for things like media playback and web surfing. (And yes, you’re not the only one feeling all deja vu like.)

I guess the Engadget folks never really picked up one of the UMPCs or read any of the press releases on the devices. I’m sure Intel did (they were a part of the development of the dang things) and now they are just looking for some market differentiation. The definition above of a MID is basically identical to the early descriptions of UMPCs, and no one should be surprised there. But things sure seem to be shifting on the UMPC front now don't they?

Let’s get two points clear here, and admittedly, this is all from my perspective. No one has any real idea what the MIDs are going to be. Yet. We can all see the potential. (Can anyone say iPhone?) I buy consumer focused, and media and web centric. That part is a no-brainer. And it was the same no-brainer with the UMPC when it was rolled out. What I’m not buying is the supposed business-class device orientation for UMPCs. Give me a break. Sure maybe some of the TabletKiosk devices and other rugged devices will fit into a vertical market or two. The OQO Model 02 (which interestingly enough doesn’t have a touch screen) is certainly priced at the business class level. If that is what Intel is pointing to with that kind of definition, then Intel has kissed the UMPC as a consumer device goodbye by kicking it into the Enterprise realm.

Here’s point two. Those of us following the UMPC space since its inception have been saying for some time that the current MID promise is what UMPC should have been all along. In fact it was. Engadget should have dug a little deeper before drinking the Kool-Aid on this one. The handwriting has been on the Internet wall for quite some time and in much more depth.

Another point. Someone tell Microsoft. They just announced Origami Experience 2.0. Regardless of the merits of that software navigation overlay, it sure doesn’t strike me as aiming at the Enterprise. For that matter neither does Samsung’s new Q1 Ultra Premium UMPC. Anyone check out that new Asus R50A UMPC at CES? C’mon be honest. Is Asus aiming that cute piece of hardware with all the light up buttons at the Enterprise? Don’t think so.

Microsoft opened the Ultra-Mobile window and goofed by not putting a good window screen on it with a clear definition of what a UMPC is. They are paying the price for that now as Intel sees clearer Vistas ahead with the MIDs. I don’t blame Intel for trying to define things the way they are at this point, because clearly there is confusion out there and a vacuum. Someone needs to fill it. And since Intel is jumping in first, I guess they can do what they want. I do think, however, they’d better serve every one involved by being a bit less disenguous in their description. Intel is betting on the MID in what really isn’t a horse race. They and their partners, don’t have that horse ready to come to the gate yet. (We’re looking from MIDs six months or so in the future.) So they can’t quite put the UMPC out to pasture just yet with products still in the pipeline.

Before reading between the lines, I’m sure anyone who knows anything at all about this space did a spit take when they saw the UMPC definition Engadget swallowed hook, line, and sinker. I’ve been saying all week that with the introduction of the MID, the name UMPC (Ultra-Mobile PC), and prehaps the device, as we know it today will be dead and gone in 18 months. Intel just confirmed that is the way they are thinking as well.

Tags: UMPC, MID, Intel, Engadget

Editorials | Events | Mobile Internet Devices | Ultra Mobile PC

1/10/2008 11:02 PM MST

Engadget Swallows The Intel Kool-Aid on UMPC and MID Comments [8] | Digg This | del.icio.us | Citations

Friday, January 11, 2008 2:18:31 AM (Mountain Standard Time, UTC-07:00)

Well maybe I am blessed because I do not know the history of UMPCS I only started taking an interest a cpl years back when I purchased my first one, but can you explain why the differences outlined by Intel are not feasable?

MID:
- Internet/Media device likely to be targeted at bloggers and the myspace generation.
- Cheaper than UMPCS
- Do not run Windows due to licensing costs erroding the above point.

UMPC:
- Heavy speced
- Runs Windows
- Via running Windows is capable of running virtually all your PC applications in an....ultra mobile fashion?
- Targeted to business
- More expensive device owing to specs and Windows.

Perhaps the MID and UMPCs markets will be no different to the Windows Mobile market where pda phones and smartphones cause confussion and havok on an ongoing basis between consumers and retailers. Despite that the market continues as consumers gain expanded choices and simply gravitate to what suits their own needs/wants.

Maybe I have missed your point, but for now pour me a glass of the Intel cool-aid because they seem like easy to follow product categories that even the most technologically deficient retailer and consumer should be able to get right over the medium term. Perhaps in the longterm you're just doomed to cringe as the platforms evolve to a point where only 1 feature differentiates them and every second article you read uses the wrong terminology.

Osiris

Friday, January 11, 2008 3:03:23 AM (Mountain Standard Time, UTC-07:00)

I wrote about this to my own blow and put a poll there as well. My hopes rely on the actual endusers.

This same things has been in many other industries (Wimax, HSDPA, 3G etc. = Mobile broadband or wireless broadband) and products (plasma or TFT TV = Flat screen TV)before this and in the end it's consumers that will put the nameing right (if only the products live that long) and marketing will want to follow the name's that customers want to use. - But because there is no customers before there are devices, those will have weird names. These acronyms will rearly survive in consumers use

I wote for Mobile computer to become a house hold term... (like HTC shift want's to be called)

Valto

Friday, January 11, 2008 5:02:46 AM (Mountain Standard Time, UTC-07:00)

As you said, it was pretty obvious that Intel was going to do this the instant they introduced the term MID. (Let us also not forget VIA, which uses the term ultra-mobile device (UMD)). Apparently, they thought it was easier to relaunch with a new name than to rehabilitate the old name. Whatever Microsoft originally had in mind, the term has morphed definition beyond recognition.

The other interesting thing about OQO Model 02, BTW, is that I don't think OQO, the company, has ever called it a UMPC. IIRC, its launch actually predates the term. (Certainly, it didn't meet Microsoft's original specs for a UMPC.)

Friday, January 11, 2008 6:19:37 AM (Mountain Standard Time, UTC-07:00)

OQO got its blessing as the smallest Vista UMPC by Bill Gates himself at its release during the start of the 2007 CES.

I've always said the MID is a cop out by Intel who have been blowing smoke up everyone's rear posterier for 2 years now with Microsoft about Ultra Low Voltage CPU's capable of running full blown Windows with good performance, all day battery life, and keep it cool at an affordable price as low as $500. Pentium M ULV was a great start, Stealy had no balls only saved by the newer graphics chip, but I really hope Menlow delivers but why is Samsung going to a newer Pentium M ULV version? hmmm...

Maybe if MS & bigI kiss & makeup the whole UMPC direction will finally get the well needed support to take off. Consumers have PDA's & PPC's for pocket size instant on digital assistants, they will be dissapointed after the newness wears off of their MID when they want to load other software that they use at work or home on their real PC.

Just recently I was able to pull up an MS Visio diagram, PDF, Visual Basic source code & compile, iTunes, CAD program, and keep notes with MS Office 2007 OneNote with my OQO 02. Others have been known to play WOW, compose music, draw, and pretty much whatever they would on a full size PC.

KillBill

Friday, January 11, 2008 7:38:11 AM (Mountain Standard Time, UTC-07:00)

I really don't know why this definition scheme has to be so nuanced when it's so straightforward in the names.

MID stands for Mobile Internet Device. Logically its primary purpose is Internet connectivity for web browsing, email, IM, VoIP, etc. Certainly it could do other tasks, like word processing, but don't expect it to run Microsoft Office since that's not its primary function.

UMPC stands for Ultra-Mobile Personal Computer. Logically its primary purpose is computing, as in all the stuff you do on a computer. Yes, that includes accessing the Internet, but it can run anything you'd run on a desktop, albeit on a tiny screen with limited processing punch.

Do the two overlap in duties? Yes, very much so, but it's no more confusing than comparing, say, WebTV to a desktop.

Sumocat

Friday, January 11, 2008 7:50:55 AM (Mountain Standard Time, UTC-07:00)

Ok, Warner, I will cautiously approach your lemonade stand to see what you are offering.

This is a paste from http://origamiproject.com/faqs/opfaq.aspx regarding, "What is a UMPC?"

"Ultra-Mobile PCs are a new class of computer that is optimized for mobility. With a screen size of 7 inches or less, Ultra-Mobile PCs can be slipped into a purse or a small bag for ultimate portability. A touch-screen, a tablet pen, and a D-pad give you a variety of input options while you are on the move. Built-in Bluetooth gives you the option of staying connected wherever you go. Running Windows XP Tablet PC Edition, Ultra-Mobile PCs have the full capabilities of the Windows operating system in one of the smallest packages yet." This is how Microsoft has defined the UMPC- for better or worse.

This is followed by, to me, some disappointing comments concerning, "How much will UMPCs cost?"

"Pricing is determined by the manufacturers, but we are anticipating UMPCs to fall initially in the $600 to $1200 range, depending on features. As more units are sold, prices should come down. We believe that through careful choice of components, it is possible to sell UMPCs for $500." This has yet to be true. Where have you ever been able to buy anything that resembles the above definition for even $600?

Somebody better save that page, because it hasn't been updated since 3/15/2006, and if Warner is right, there will have to be a re-write in the near future.

I would argue that the UMPC is not a business-class machine, OQO-02 notwithstanding. The way these have been marketed and modeled has been much more to students and media lovers more than with an accent towards business functions. BUT, the pricing has been disappointing, in that regard.

I agree, too, with KillBill, that the MID will be fun for awhile, but it will be a specific-use device. The UMPC boasts versatility. You can spend $400 and have an Internet and media device, or you can spend 2-3 times that and have a mobile office computer.

I better stop hear and read others' comments. Nice thread going here.

Steven

Friday, January 11, 2008 1:12:26 PM (Mountain Standard Time, UTC-07:00)

My opinion is just that, I just don't want to let Microsoft & Intel off the hook.

There are a lot of mobile PC users looking for power in small packages, not just for Internet browsing.

KillBill

Friday, January 11, 2008 3:03:25 PM (Mountain Standard Time, UTC-07:00)

MIDs are just Intel`s way of justifying their inability to ship Vista capable processors for the UMPC. They had to redefine the market to something that they can supply.
Remember that their CEO is a marketing guy. This is classic market segmentation.

Chuck

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