Archive for August, 2006

Pocket-Lint have just posted a news item saying that the ASUS R2H will launch at £799

That’s exactly the same price as the Samsung Q1.

Incredibly, they report that this includes 768MB RAM a 60GB HDD and an external DVD Dual D/L Drive. If this is true, Samsung have a problem on their hands.

There is a link to ASUS on the news story but no source quoted for the news.

Lets wait and see if more details emerge from ASUS today.

Steve / Chippy.

tags: asus, r2h, umpc

This is cool.

Currently XP Media Center doesn’t contain the features of XP Tablet Edition and Tablet Edition obviously doesn’t have the Media Center capabilities.

But when Vista comes, this will change.

Some versions of Windows Vista will include both Tablet PC and Media Center. [ref]

A touch-enabled mobile media center solution is not only going to be very cool, its also going to be pretty much unique amongst operating systems. Neither Apple or Linux can offer that level of out-of-the-box integration yet.

This guy, Stephan Torres, thinks the media center idea is cool too. He’s taken a Founder Mininote (AKA Tablet Kiosk 7200 series) put Vista beta on it and then installed it in his car dashboard. Way to go Stephan.

He’s also had the privilege of having owned a Mininote for 4 months and his comments are positive. He’s happy with the build quality and the power of the device and has a few words to say about other UMPC’s too.

• UMPC Samsung: No the webcam, not of reader SD, buttons of navigation and short cuts not very practical

• UMPC Sony (UX90 or 180 according to denominations’): I saw it lately has Taiwan and it appears too much small to to me. The screen is practically illegible with Windows XP. It is necessary to have magnifying glasses in the place of the glasses!!!. In any case I do not like too the closed world of Sony.

Interesting points about the Sony there.

On the negative side, Stephan mentions the static webcam ( I agree, a rotating cam would be a lot better.) the poor speaker volume and lack of cellular data capability.

More pics and translated French over here.

Steve /Chippy.

Update: Ripberger left a comment to correct me on the names of the devices. The Pepperpad Plus was the original name of the pepperpad 3. The current Pepperpad is known only as ‘Pepperpad.’ Thanks Ripberger.

Pepperpad have just sent out an email covering pretty much what we said in a previous post. That’s 2 Pepperpads for $1000 then!

The original Pepperpad Plus Linux-based web tablet device is being cleared out for under $500 (was over $800) on both Amazon.com and e-cost.com to make way for the new Pepperpad 3 device.

Not only that, but the $500 Pepperpad plus is worth another $200 if you’re interested in getting the Pepperpad 3. Just order the Pepperpad 3 and order the Pepperpad 3 before the end of Sept and you’ll qualify for a $200 discount bringing it down to $500. That’s a 30% discount when you take Pepperpad up on the two offers. (Hint: Convince a friend that he needs a Pepperpad Plus and then use the serial number to buy the new Pepperpad 3!)

The new Pepperpad will be shipping, with a 7″ screen and an AMD LX800 processor, at the end of Sept. Check out our data sheets on the Pepperpad Plus and Pepperpad 3 for more information, images and links.

Personally I don’t think Pepperpad do the Pepperpad 3 device justice in the promotional material. With its x86 architecture processor, there are absolutely thousands of programs out there waiting to be ported over and if the existing Pepperpad community is anything to go by, it won’t be long before these devices will be doing more than they were ever designed to do. OpenOffice, Mplayer, Mythtv, TheGimp and Amarok would be the first packages I’d have a go at porting if I had a chance. Followed closely by handwriting recognition software, navigation software and then Windows XP. The only problem is, there’s no distribution deal for Europe yet. We hear that they’re working on it.

Let me know, readers, if you’ve ordered one in the U.S. There’s a space on Carrypad reserved for your unboxing images and a whole post reserved for the first person that gets XP running on it!

Original email text here

Steve / Chippy.

tags: pepperpad, umpc

A quick scan through the Carrypad UMPC links page shows me I’ve got some updating to do.

Of the 38 sites listed, no less than 10 seem to be stuck in the water. That is they’ve had no updates for a month or more.

Not only that but 3 of them seem to be ‘made for google’ now and have no real content on them at all. This is in addition to the 10 or so more that I’ve found that I never bothered to add to the link list becuase they add no value at all.

Unfortunately, UMPCorigami.com seems to have been hacked and its shut its doors for the time being. I hope they get back on their feet soon.

Now I know that news has been thin on the ground (especially good news!) and that many of these sites are run on a part time basis but I have to say, ‘Come on. You’re needed.’  Really. With full-time tech journalists knocking the device all over the place it needs a strong community of supporters to counter these clumsy goliaths. There are customers out there that will probably end up with 3.2Ghz and 5kilo’s of laptop just to run Internet Explorer if we don’t help them!

On the positive side, UMPCity has moved focus and looks to be very healthy and running as MicroPCTalk. The UMPC definition is very hard to stick to. I understand! Good luck to MicroPCtalk.

The only other new site that I can think of is the TabletWiki.

Also added to the list are the established (but missed last time!) sites below.

• Incremental Blogger
• MobileWhack
• jkOnTheRun
• Craig Pringle
• UberTablet PC talk spot.
• Matt Miller Mobile Gadgeteer.
• Mobile Tech Review.

If you know of any new sites that need adding to the list, let me know. (list at carrypad.com)

The updated and re-organised list is available here.

Steve / Chippy

tags: umpc, websites

OK, perhaps ‘pulled’ is the wrong word. Lets just say they’re not re-stocking any more.

JKonTheRun noticed yesterday that the UX180P had disappeared from the Sony Style website and when I checked it today, it still wasn’t there.

Over at MicroPCTalk however, they’ve had confirmation that it really has been pulled phased out.

we got word directly from Sony USA that they are currently out of inventory for the Vaio UX180P. A new “refreshed model” will be posted in SonyStyle on September 19.

I wonder if the cellular deal didn’t work out? Perhaps one of the basic models with compact flash slot is on its way over. No-one actually knows right now.

via MicroPCTalk who, incidentally have changed name from UMPCity.com. Re-set your RSS feeds and bookmarks.

Steve / Chippy

tags: sony, ux, umpc

The almost-too-good-to-be-true Vega ultra portable PC now has a price.

[img]http://www.origamiportal.com/uploads/img44f5d94630d50.jpg[/img]

On the Raon Digital website [url=http://www.raondigital.com/shopping/k_shopping.asp]here,[/url] the price is clearly shown.

256MB $710
512MB $750

No-one has actaully seen a good test of these yet but [url=http://www.akihabaranews.com/en/news-12325-Vega+the+UPPC+reviewed+by+Suze.html]Akihabara[/url] (again!) are reporting that threre’s a report due soon from ‘Suze.’ so keep an eye on Akihabara.

via [url=http://www.carrypad.com/journal/2006/08/vega-uppcumpc-review-and-pricing.html]Carrypad[/url] (more…)

[img]http://www.origamiportal.com/uploads/img44f5d6fec5c2a.jpg[/img]

It looks like Sony has launched a UX50 with a 1-seg digital TV receiver in Asia known as the UX70. [url=http://www.akihabaranews.com/en/news-12336-VAIO+UX70+1Seg+powered.html]Akihabara[/url] has a very brief news item here on the topic. (more…)

The Averatec AHI, first seen through a PDAFrance back in April and pencilled-in for a Sept launch has been delayed.

[img]http://www.origamiportal.com/uploads/img44f5d572cb4bd.jpg[/img]

Latest information is that it has been re-planned for an early 2007 launch.

The Averatec was rumored to have an Origami-like spec but raised eyebrows (and some hopes) when it was shown with a slide-out keyboard.

We assume that the race to get the Christmas market production run complete was too much of a tall order and thus it has been put on hold until the next round of announcements, probably a month or two before CES or CeBit.

[url=http://www.carrypad.com/products/product.php?id=20]Specs at Carrypad.[/url] (more…)

[update: Before you contact me Tegatech (Hugo), I know! I've just seen the TabletKiosk 7200 series on your website. You deserve a link for my oversight and another link for offering the base model for AUS$1899. Hugo one of the principles of Techagate who runs a good blog also deserves a link. I promise I'll pay more attention to the Oz market in the future.]

Pioneer Computers in Australia are now offering the DreamBook UMPC H700 in their UMPC portfolio alongside the DreamBook UMPC 700.

If you think it looks familiar then you’re right. Its based on the Founder mininote which is appearing in U.S. and Europe as the TabletKiosk i7200 series.

Its available in with a choice of processors; The Celeron version and the Pentium-M version and has the big advantage of a docking station included into the package. Other features included a 1.3mp cam, SD/MMC slot, TV-out and the usual Wifi/BT connectivity.

The device should be available now starting at AU$1999 including tax.

I’ve ordered the Pentium-M version of this (Tablet Kiosk branded) so watch out for some reviews soon. In the meantime, pop over to the Pioneer website or to our product database for in for info on both versions.

Steve / Chippy.

tags: pioneer, dreambook, UMPC

Don’t get too excited if you live in the Western world. It looks like Sony has launched a UX50 with a 1-seg digital TV receiver in Asia which isn’t much use to those of us living in Europe or America.

Mobile Digital TV is one thing I’d love to see get sorted out in U.S. and Europe. At the moment its a mess of licensing and standards. For the meantime, we’ll have to settle with DVB-T in Europe and make sure we carry our usb-DVB stick and antenna with us!

This brings the total number of UX devices to 6. UX90s (Asia) UX90PS (Asia) UX50 (Asia) UX70 (Asia) UX17 (Aus.) UX180p (U.S.) although JKontheRun reported yesterday that it’s gone from the website and I can’t find it myself either.

Akihabara news doesn’t have much more info but thanks to them for the info.

Steve

tags: umpc, sony ux, 1 seg

One of my favorite ultra-mobile PC’s, the 8.9″ swivel screen tablet convertible Fujitsu P1510d looks like its getting a very nice set of upgrades which could bring it right to the cutting-edge of UMPC technology.

Engadget has reported that details are up on a Japanese website and sure enough, there they are. (Google translation)

The Loox P series uses an Intel U1400 (Core Solo ULV, 1.2Ghz, same as Sony UX90 and the Australian UX17 version.) processor with Intel GMA950 graphics engine and comes in varying flavors of disk and memory. Other highlights include shock-protected hard drives, Gig-E LAN, Fingerprint sensor, Bluetooth 2.0 and 1280×768 LED back-lit screen (on 8.9″. That’s almost too much!) This is a very high-end mobile device indeed.

This is only the second LED backlit screen I’ve seen on an UltraMobile device (Sony UX also has LED backlighting.) Fujitsu are claiming 4.4 hours battery life using a JEITA standardised test. For comparison, the Sony UX has a similar battery and is quoted at 3.5 hours battery life using the same test.

The base model looks to be around 1700 Euro in Japan and launches at end of Sept. Expect Dynamism.com to jump on these very quickly.

Steve / Chippy.

Via gottabemobile

Current version (Fujitsu P1510d) data sheet.

tags: Fujitsu, P1510d, Loox P

Maybe I shouldn’t have written about it this morning but I’ve just heard that the Averatec AHI is to be set for a possible launch in Q1 2007. Not Q3 2006 as was previously planned. Averatec sent this public message to me via email.

Through development, we have refreshed our vision for the AHI and feel confident that we can release it during the first quarter of 2007.

That’s a real shame because I felt (and still feel) that it stirred a bit of emotion amongst potential buyers just like the Sony UX does. Could it be the keyboard factor? Certainly the slider style of keyboard is becoming the most talked about not only on UMPC’s but on smartphones too. Maybe it was the price that was rumored. $700 was a good deal cheaper than the Origami UMPC’s.

Well, we look forward to an even more exciting design and specifications next year. I’ll be at CES in Jan and I hope the Averatec will be there too.

Steve / Chippy

Very nice video show about the Sony UX180P. Warner Crocker brings up some interesting and important points. Especially the crazy location of the rear-facing camera.

Within the show, Warner demo’s the Inscribe text entry software that I’m quite interested in trying out and learning myself.

GottaBeMobile is where you need to go to watch the video.

Steve.

Sony UX data sheet, images and links.

…Pioneer/Easybook P7/It’s/Ago7. I think that’s all of them covered!

Ctitanic has posted some photos of the extended battery solution that Mugen are working on. No prices or dates yet.

To me, it looks like a 9-cell solution. That will translate to just under 6 hours if the cells are a similar capacity to the originals. Very useable!

More over at UMPCBuzz.

Steve / Chippy.

tags: mugen, eo, t700, v7110, battery

At the end of Spring, I published a ‘watchlist.’ A report on what we should look out for in the UMPC market during Summer. 3 months later its time to give it an update.

New Nokia Internet Tablet.
No new news on this one I’m afraid. I’m still confident that something will happen for the Christmas market although the probability is going down with every week that passes.
Probability: 80%
My guess on specs: Late summer release. $550. Slightly bigger screen. Better processor. Linux based. Keyboard.

Samsung Q1 with VIA processor.

“This one is strictly a rumor” I said. The rumor was true. The Samsung Q1b looks like its headed for the UK market in October. Other markets unconfirmed as yet. Priced above the existing Q1. Its possible that good battery life on this device could be why the price has been set high.

Averatec AHI.

Averatec told us in June that the AHI was a “work in progress” and that we should look for news at the end of Q3 with a launch soon after.

Founder Mininote.

This one has appeared in the U.S. and Europe as the Tablet Kiosk 7200 series. The 7210 is due to be the first Pentium-M based (and there for the most powerful) Origami UMPC. Look out for my reviews on this one as I’ve ordered one. It should be arriving this week.

Pepperpad plus.

It turned out to be the Pepperpad 3.  (OK I got the name wrong. I can’t get everything right!) Due for launch in Sept. Based on AMD LX800 processor.

Flybook V33i.

Its now available. Watch out for a review from Carrypad in Sept.

DualCor cPc

I said ‘ho hum” last time. I’ll say it again. Ho Hum. No real news about this. Some people have engineering samples.

ASUS R2H

Its finally been confirmed on the ASUS global website but as-yet there’s no press releases, prices or availability info.

Price wars.

Price wars started with the AgoPC being introduced at 15% less than equivalent devices already available.  

Its quite a shame that the watch list is nearly empty now and the chances of more devices appearing before Christmas are now getting slimmer. The next big ‘event’ in the UMPC calendar will be CES in Jan and we should expect to see the first rumors starting to appear for that during Oct and Nov. In Dec I guess it will be time for the CES Watchlist.

Regards

Steve / Chippy.

tags: umpc