Photo courtesy Microsoft

Though he’s probably best known as one of the original XBox founders, Otto Berkes was a key figure in the Tablet and Mobile PC world. Yesterday, he announced his departure from Microsoft, leaving a big tablet-shaped hole in their brain pool.

Brier Dudley of The Seattle Times broke the news. As lead developer on Origami and Ultra-Mobile PCs, including the fleeting Haiku project, Berkes created prototypes and concepts five years ago that resemble the handheld and pocketable PCs of today. One notable difference of course is that most of today’s mobile devices run software by Apple or Google, not by Microsoft.

When asked by Todd Bishop of GeekWire how he feels about that situation, specifically the iPad, Berkes described it as “bittersweet”. He feels, as many old school tablet enthusiasts do, that his vision is validated but wishes Microsoft had been the one to do it. He also expressed positive feelings for the company and his own future.

Berkes was also involved with the secret Courier project, which generated great excitement with its pen- and touch-based interface before being scuttled.

Berkes was truly ahead of his time and his vision for mobile computing guided a good deal of what GottaBeMobile covered during the days of Origami. Had Microsoft continued with the project or pressed forward with Courier, who knows how today’s tablet environment would have turned out. At the very least, they might still be recognized as a tablet competitor by folks outside our niche.

Hat tip to Rob Bushway. Here’s Otto talking in 2006 about mobile computers of the future.

Mobile PC Visionary Otto Berkes Leaving Microsoft is a post by Sumocat from Gotta Be Mobile.

Sony took the wraps off their new VAIO P ultra mobile, and it looks impressive. Features such as accelerometer, digital compass and GPS, which are often gimmicky on other clamshells, look like they’ll be put to good use, while leaving out a touchscreen which, I grudgingly admit, was probably a smart choice.

The new P series weighs in around 600 grams – that’s 21.2 ounces or 1.3 pounds American – with the standard battery, which offers up to five hours of use. Extended battery is advertised as offering ten hours, but that of course will increase weight. Wireless connectivity includes 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, and Everywair 3G up to 7.2 Mbps. Already pretty darn mobile based on that, but Sony adds a little frosting to that cake with sensor functionality.

Built-in digital compass and GPS are paired with the new VAIO Location Search software to give the user real-time mapping with position and orientation displayed along with nearby Points of Interest and local weather conditions. The accelerometer allows the usual portrait-landscape mode flipping for document viewing, but also offers the ability to “flick” back and forward through photos, PDF pages and web pages.

Along with that, the new P includes a central trackball complemented by a touchpad and mouse buttons on the screen bezel for easy handling in either orientation, standing or sitting. Sadly, I must admit this should not only compensate for the lack of touchscreen but offer a better user experience. While the new P ships with Windows 7 Home Premium, which does offer touch support, it remains primarily a cursor-based interface. Passive touch on a screen this small and pixel dense (8″ and 1600×768) would likely be frustrating.

Rounding out the specs are an Intel Atom Z540 with integrated graphics, 2GB DDR2 SDRAM, 64GB SSD, and camera right above the right touchpad. Currently being released in Japan, but BGR reports a $799 price tag presumably for its eventual U.S. release. Full details and press release at Sony. Thanks to jkkmobile for the additional photos.

New Sony VAIO P offers everything but a touchscreen is a post by Sumocat from Gotta Be Mobile.

SonyStyle in Japan is teasing a new Sony VAIO ultramobile. No details on the device, but they’ve got a coupon signup for SonyStyle users (SonyStylists?) that seems to offer better deals to higher ranking members. Oh, and they’ve showing off a new paperclip-looking icon.

CrunchGear speculates that it’s another netbook, which are called “ultramobiles” in Japan. Engadget backs that up with a tip that it will be an orange VAIO P and the “paperclip” represents the closed view from the side. Pity as I was hoping it represented a slate view from the side.

“Coming Soon” – VAIO New Ultra Mobile from Sony is a post by Sumocat from Gotta Be Mobile.

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

Dell declares Mini-9 “end of life” is a post by Hilton Locke from Gotta Be Mobile.

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.

Expensive Asus R50a UMPC Gets Reviewed is a post by Warner Crocker from Gotta Be Mobile.

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

Want a UMPC? Hire This Guy is a post by admin from Gotta Be Mobile.

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.

Things Changing at Fujitsu? is a post by admin from Gotta Be Mobile.

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!

Kohjinsha SC and SX Series Images is a post by admin from Gotta Be Mobile.

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.

New Version of Comfort On-Screen Keyboard Released is a post by admin from Gotta Be Mobile.

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.

UMPCPortal, jkkmobile,and Liliputing Team Up To Help Keep Consumers Informed is a post by admin from Gotta Be Mobile.

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?

Gadgetell: 5 Reasons Netbooks Succeeded when UMPCs and Tablet PCs Failed is a post by admin from Gotta Be Mobile.

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

Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Donates UMPCs to Nebraska Public Libraries is a post by admin from Gotta Be Mobile.

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

Raon Digital Everun Note Recall is a post by admin from Gotta Be Mobile.

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.

It’s Not Too Early To Be Thinking About the 2009 CES Tablet PC Meetup is a post by admin from Gotta Be Mobile.

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.

Pictures of the Fujitsu U2010/U820 is a post by admin from Gotta Be Mobile.

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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jkkmobile Reviews the Kohjinsha SX3 is a post by admin from Gotta Be Mobile.

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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Circle Dock Recalls Radial Menus is a post by admin from Gotta Be Mobile.

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.

Chippy Reviews the Raon Digital Everun Note is a post by admin from Gotta Be Mobile.

TabletKiosk is going to be pre-installing PlazaLogic’s Eyesboard, an on-screen keyboard that is user configurable, to new Tablet PCs an UMPCs. They are going to also going to make it available for existing TabletKiosk users as a download.

I’ve not been a fan of the on-screen keyboard solutions I’ve seen and used on UMPCs in the past. That doesn’t mean I reject the concept in fact I think the concept is a sound one. I’d like to hear from others who might use on-screen keyboards and what there experiences are. Sound off in the comments.

Here’s a link to Gail Levy’s blog, Mobility Matters, with some more info.

TabletKiosk To Add Eyesboard on Tablet PCs is a post by admin from Gotta Be Mobile.

If you’re interested in possibly getting your hands on a UMPC, then you might want to head over to TodoUMPC.com and post in their forums between now and October 30, 2008. TodoUMPC.com is giving away an Amteck U560 and a Wibrain B1. You can enter the contest in either Spanish or English and of course you’ll be submitting a post talking about UMPCs. Check out the details here.

Via Frank Garcia

Win a UMPC at TodoUMPC.com is a post by admin from Gotta Be Mobile.