The new Intel UMPC

[Guest]

[primaz]

I know OQO has stated that they would not entertain adding an additional form factor but I still think it would be a good thing to consider, especially looking at what Intel is going to release next year?

"The most interesting bit from Mark, showing the Compal prototype in Beijing, was his mention of the Ultra Mobile Platform 2008 running Windows, Linux and Mac OS X:

"This can also run Linux. We don't care what you put on it. [Can you run OS X?] Absol... you know? I bet you could, because the iPhone is going to be running OS X."
While a fully functional PC with 45 nanometer Silverthorn processor "

http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/intel/intel-menlow+based-umpc-the-movie-253558.php

The new Intel UMPC, it is jacket pocket size, built in keyboard, built in WIFI, USB, 4-6 hours battery, less than 1 lb, and they do not care what OS you load as their demo ran Windows but they said you can load Linux, Mac, whatever you want.

[scoobie]

Not that new, Bejing was much earlier in the year. I've posted elsewhere that there are lots of OQO form factor prototype devices.  2008 is going to be a tough year for anyone in the pocketable thumboard market I think

[curiousaboutoqo]

Scoobie,

Are any of the 2008 devices touch type keyboards or are they all thumb based? I looked at the video link posted on the Intel and it is hard to tell how the keyboard would be?  Could you post links?

[scoobie]

All the devices i've seen so far are thumbboards. Bear in mind I'm talking about prototype, proof of concept devices that may never reach the market, like these

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJwikljgzVg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGm3v856xnc
(this video has 3 devices in it , all similar to the oqo)

I have seen no new touchtype devices so far, the emphasis is very much on thumbboarding, email and full internet on the go.
The only touchtype device at the moment is the u810 which is a little bulky, we may see others at ces or cebit. My bet is HP will launch a umpc at ces.

[primaz]

OQO could be the first if they decide to take the chance and I believe the rewards would be worth it.  Or they can see if they can do nothing and hope they can compete against these larger companies?

[Opus]

so why are you showing an Intel prototype with a thumb keyboard?

[jupiter]

so why are you showing an Intel prototype with a thumb keyboard?

what are the specs? whats the screen size? is it overall smaller than the OQO ?

[curiousaboutoqo]

I hope your right about HP getting into the game!  I loved their 720 touch type HPC computer.  I am excited to see what CES has to showcase in 08'!

With Intel pushing the concept of 4-5" screens, I am sure that is going to spur a lot of new devices in that pocketable size.  Exciting times to come!

I saw this article about Intel and UMPC
http://www.umpcbuzz.com/blogs/umpc_buzz/archive/2007/09/24/The-Intel-MID-v.-The-Microsoft-UMPC.aspx

All the devices i've seen so far are thumbboards. Bear in mind I'm talking about prototype, proof of concept devices that may never reach the market, like these

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJwikljgzVg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGm3v856xnc
(this video has 3 devices in it , all similar to the oqo)

I have seen no new touchtype devices so far, the emphasis is very much on thumbboarding, email and full internet on the go.
The only touchtype device at the moment is the u810 which is a little bulky, we may see others at ces or cebit. My bet is HP will launch a umpc at ces.

[dhaupert]

To me this has nothing to do with a form factor, but a chipset.  I sincerely hope OQO has already built up prototype OQOs running this new 45nm chipset and measuring performance and battery life gains to see if it's worth a re-release under that chipset.  If they haven't, I feel they will still have the form factor advantage over these knockoffs, but it only takes these manufacturers a few months to release updates vs a smaller company like OQO, so the OQO head start would be eaten up pretty quickly.

In my opinion, if the new Intel chipset really is as good as they are advertising, we should be able to find a new OQO with the same killer form factor (maybe a passive touch screen) running cooler, quieter, faster, and lasting for 4+ hours on the standard size battery.  Wouldn't that be awesome!

[scoobie]

All the devices i've seen so far are thumbboards. Bear in mind I'm talking about prototype, proof of concept devices that may never reach the market, like these

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJwikljgzVg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGm3v856xnc
(this video has 3 devices in it , all similar to the oqo)

I have seen no new touchtype devices so far, the emphasis is very much on thumbboarding, email and full internet on the go.
The only touchtype device at the moment is the u810 which is a little bulky, we may see others at ces or cebit. My bet is HP will launch a umpc at ces.

Intel Mobile Internet @ CES. Round-up
http://www.carrypad.com/journal/2007/12/intel-mobile-internet-ces-round-up.html

[JCC]

Intel Mobile Internet @ CES. Round-up
http://www.carrypad.com/journal/2007/12/intel-mobile-internet-ces-round-up.html

Interesting article. We don't have physical dimensions for all of those devices. But the ones for which we do are all noticeably wider (or taller, depending on how you look at it) than the OQO. (i.e., I can't keep it in my pant pocket. It would stick out and dig into my hip socket.)

Based on the arstechnica article that the carrypad article links to, I think the people who are disappointed by the performance of VIA's C7M may be at least similarly disappointed with the performance of Intel's Silverthorne. My sense is that by marketing Mobile Internet Devices, Intel is shifting the emphasis away from general purpose computing, and towards the three or four specific things that most people currently actually do with handheld devices. (i.e., Like ArsTechnica, I suspect Silverthrone may not run Windows well. That's fine for a MID, but probably not so good for a UMPC.)

[scoobie]

I think Intel is just trying to play in 2 markets - MID (mainstream consumers) and UMPC (people who really require full IT on the go). It recognises that cheap $500 UMPCs are not achievable with full Windows right now, so its trying to create a market for MIDs for the younger consumer who is interested in Internet connectivity on the go for email and Facebook etc.

[Dave P]

Based on the arstechnica article that the carrypad article links to, I think the people who are disappointed by the performance of VIA's C7M may be at least similarly disappointed with the performance of Intel's Silverthorne.

I would agree. With Silverthorne's high end roughly equivalent to a 600mhz Stealey or a 1ghz Via C7 (slower than the cheapest OQO), I don't see anyone going with the platform for general purpose computing. Most of what I've read indicates that MIDs will be running an optimized version of Linux geared towards the web.

[jl123]

FLame-suit on.

I know this is the heart of OQO country, and indeed pride of ownership is what part of life is about, but after thinking this topic though for awhile the obvious just keeps coming up...

And that is OQO will have too much competition very soon. OQO had better make something out of this world soon to stay ahead.

[Opus]

Nothing to do with pride of ownership. OQO has done it right for most of us, nothing comes close. 

There are potential improvements but I don't see other PC manufacturers interested in OQO's niche market, and if they did you would see similiar price point that they don't want to take a risk in. This is a market where a 1/4 inch and real useable input devices makes all the difference in the world.

Also, OQO has proven their commitment with improvements from the original 01 to 01+ to 02 and latest 02 offerings. Not proud, loyalty that was well earned.