All Entries Tagged With: "Ultra Mobile PC"

Dell declares Mini-9 “end of life”

According to David Meyer at CNET, Dell has surrendered the Mini-9 to the “end-of-life” bucket.

What does this mean for the netbook, and mobile computing markets?

Dell’s 10-inch and 8.9-inch displays are the same resolution. Does this mean that netbook buyers have declining eyesight?

When Microsoft introduced the UMPC, the OEMs at the time were dual-purposing readily available low-res, 7″ DVD-player displays. Could it be that UMPCs failed because the screens simply weren’t big enough?

According to other postings around the web, netbooks are scheduled to get even slower. Does performance not matter to netbook users? I’ve used an Atom-powered PC (designed for embedded/single-purpose use) running Windows and it made my hair curl, in a bad way. Anyone who knows or has seen me, knows that’s a major feat.

You people who surf the ‘net on your phones - what is it that makes that experience acceptable to you? The slimmed-down-for-phones webpages? The fact that you’re always connected? The fact that it’s the device you always have with you? I personally can’t get behind data on my phone because a) I’m a Luddite; and b) I can’t figure out how to get useful information out of that tiny porthole of a display.

I have long been a price/performance sweetspot-chaser. In the last couple of years, the price of a full-on 15″ laptop has gotten to within spitting distance of a smaller 10″ netbook. Why do people choose the netbook when they could have a full-featured, 5-lb laptop for about $75 more?

photo courtesy Dell and CNET

Expensive Asus R50a UMPC Gets Reviewed

Remember the Asus R50a UMPC? I’m thinking few do these days. It caught our eye at CES last year and we’ve heard bits about it off and on during this year of the Netbook. Hispazone has posted a review (the link is translated) of this UMPC from Asus and I have to say the thing that makes me scratch my head on this is that it might still be on the market at almost $1800 US.

Want a UMPC? Hire This Guy

Like it or not, Netbooks have moved along the inevitable demise of the UMPC and we hardly hear any news about Ultra-Mobile PCs anymore. But I guess some folks can’t quench their desire for a UMPC. Over on TodoUMPC, one of their forum members took matters into his own hands. He’s ripped apart an Acer Aspire Netbook, added a touch screen kit, and created his own version of a UMPC running Vista Ultimate and Ubuntu Netbook Remix.

I have to say from the pics, it looks like they guy did a great job. Take that Netbooks.

Hat tip to MobilitySite

Things Changing at Fujitsu?

This post is not meant in any way to be alarmist, but merely to pass on information we are seeing about one of the key Tablet PC and UMPC manufacturers we follow. It looks like there are some interesting things going on at Fujitsu on the business unit level at Fujitsu.

Fujitsu looks to be selling off its hard drive business, possibly to Western Digital, and also perhaps doing the same with its consumer PC business as well. Speculation is that Lenovo might be taking that over. Again, we’re seeing reports of this and have no real confirmation. That said, given the uncertainty in the financial markets, I wouldn’t be surprised to see other shifts like this with companies we know and follow.

Kohjinsha SC and SX Series Images

Need a good look at the Kohjinsha SC and SX ultra-mobile PC?  Check out the image gallery of 22 pictures over on Ubergizmo.  We’ve been seeing these around since June, but the Ubergizmo team is at CEATEC 2008 right now and snapped these up close photos.  We still need to get an active digitizer in one of these – soon!

New Version of Comfort On-Screen Keyboard Released

Comfort Software has released a new version of their on-screen keyboard. Version 3.2 comes in both Lite ($9.95) and Pro versions ($19.95). I’m not sure if there is a trial here or not, although both have free downloads listed for both versions. I don’t have a touch screen device to test this out, so if anyone does, let us know.

For a list of what’s new, check out the GBM Forums or the product page.

UMPCPortal, jkkmobile,and Liliputing Team Up To Help Keep Consumers Informed

This is a great thing for the community. Three fantastic resources on ultra mobile computing, UMPCPortal, jkkmobile, and Liliputing are teaming up to help provide us with more information on what is going on in the wacky world of mobile computing.

We’ve always tried to keep up with all the UMPC, MID and netbook products by at least entering them into the database but recently there have simply been too many products to handle. It’s a problem that needed attention so we’ve decided to open up the product information platform to partners that can share the load, offer the info as extra value to their visitors and have the option to generate some advertising revenue for their sites. I’m pleased to say that our trial with JKKMobile went very well. JKKMobile will continue to offer the product database and will help with adding information across the range of products. In addition to that, Liliputing is joining us with their netbook expertise and will be entering netbook device information and links to important news items. With the two new websites and UMPCPortal working together we’ll be able to continue to offer one of the best resources on the Internet for consumer research in the MID, UMPC and Netbook product categories. About 100,000 people visit the product database every month where they view over 160 devices, a huge database of links to hand-picked news items, links to important videos, pricing information, user feedback and statistical information. With this partnership, the database has already grown to over 200 products and a sharp increase in visitor numbers is expected which will help generate revenue that can be put back into developing even more features for the database. Let us know what features you want to see in the database and we’ll add them to the to-do list.

Gadgetell: 5 Reasons Netbooks Succeeded when UMPCs and Tablet PCs Failed

Netbooks are certainly capturing a lot of attention and apparently a lot of sales. They’ve certainly captured the imagination. In the long run, it will be interesting to see what the impact we’re all feeling today will really mean in the long run.

Iyaz Akhtar of gadgetell has published thoughts on why Netbooks have succeeded where UMPCs and Table PCs failed. Iyaz lists five reasons:

• Form Factor (small and light)
• Price
• Simplicty (primarily Internet Devices)
• Time (the timing was right)
• Microsoft (Microsoft had nothing to do with the platform according to Iyaz.)

While I wholeheartedly agree about UMPCs, I still hold out some hope for Tablet PCs, I can’t argue with any of the points raised. Can you?

Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Donates UMPCs to Nebraska Public Libraries

The Nebraska Public Library Foundation was recently awarded WiFi Connectivity Grants for 48 of its branches, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Each of the 48 libraries will receive a Linksys WiFi Router and either a Dell laptop or a Samsung Q1 UMPC.

Via jkkmobile

Raon Digital Everun Note Recall

Uh, oh. Looks like there are enough issues with the Raon Digital Everun Note that there is a recall underway. Issues being reported are overheating, high-pitched fan noise, blue-screens, and inaccurate battery monitors, among others. The units need to be sent back to the factory for eitehr repair or replacment.

Via Pocketables

It’s Not Too Early To Be Thinking About the 2009 CES Tablet PC Meetup

Oh, my how time flies. Lora Heiny is reminding us that it isn’t too late to be thinking about the 2009 CES Tablet PC Meetup. Each of the last several years we’ve seen new interest in each new wave of mobile devices including UMPCs and MIDs. Lora is interested in making sure that as the industry looks forward, the opportunity for inclusion of newer technologies is there as well.

The industry is advancing and I want to make sure that the product interests represented are forward looking. Yes, I’m sure there will be plenty of Windows 7 chatter and hardware comparisons. A couple years ago we expanded the gathering to include mini-Tablet PCs more commonly known as UMPCs. Last year people interested in MIDs attended. My observation is that the common connection is an interest in natural input. Do you agree?

Following that logic, what do you think if Surface is included? What about… yep, I’ll ask (gulp) — iPhone? (Of course, Macworld may overlap, as the gathering has most recently been on the 3rd day of CES. So, it might just be like ‘08 where people are welcome to pull out their iPhones.)

And yes, then the gathering will need a new name…suggestions?

So, what do you think folks, a new name? Is it time? I notice Lora doesn’t include Netbooks. Should they be included.  The discussion is open.

Pictures of the Fujitsu U2010/U820

jkkmobile is at it again. He’s uncovered some pictures of the Fujitsu U2010/U820 UMPC at Buyking. These are obviously promotional photos but they sure look appetizing.

Am I the only one that thinks if Fujitsu would figure out a way to get an active digitizer, or at least a hard touch digitizer on one of their UMPCs they would boost that market? I’m just asking.

jkkmobile Reviews the Kohjinsha SX3

The Kohjinsha SX3 convertible UMPC continues to attract attention in these crazy days (daze?) of Netbooks, and jkk of jkkmobile gives us all a virtual look in this review. Intriguing that it comes with a SIM card slot and a home for GPS.

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Circle Dock Recalls Radial Menus

I used to love the radial menu of the Snipping Tool and I think that UI approach is great for Tablet PCs, and indeed for touch screen devices like UMPCs. Jenn at Pocketables links to and is showing off the open source Circle Dock, which developer Eric Wong is aiming squarely at touch screen users. The ability to hide the Circle Dock on either side of the screen and have it pop out is what reminds me of the radial dial approach. It looks like it would work very well on those devcies to my eye, in addition to being highly configurable. Keep in mind that Circle Dock is in Alpha. I don’t currently have a touch screen devcie, so would love to hear from any GBM users who might try this out.

Check out the video as well as the many pictures on Pocketables.

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Chippy Reviews the Raon Digital Everun Note

I’ve been waiting for this review. With all of the Netbook and ultra-mobile craziness out there and trying to sort through who has what releasing when with what specs, the Raon Digital Everun Note has attracted my attention because of its comparatively small size form factor. Steve “Chippy” Paine has his hands on the device and has posted a full review. While the Note seems to cross multiple categories between its diminutive size, and higher price point, it also looks to have a feature set that sets it apart. In fact, Chippy says that Raon make have created an entirely new class of device.

Check out Chippy’s lengthy and well done review at UMPCPortal.