The guys over at Gottabemobile.com have found a video showcasing some of the intended applications of the new Panasonic CF-U1. The video is surprisingly high quality when it comes to scene and prop setups, but the acting is, dare I say, pathetic. Still, the video gives a pretty good idea of how the U1 is designed to be used; shown in the video is a wide range of industry applications. It’s a shame that Panasonic hasn’t spent time making a consumer oriented UMPC; the U1 is packed full of features but it has a premium price and is definitely on the bulky side. The video didn’t show any good keyboard use so we’ll have to wait and see how well that turns out. Something interesting to note in the video is the 4-bay battery charger, and confirmation that the batteries in the U1′s dual-battery bay are hot-swapable, meaning you will be able to swap out batteries without ever turning off the unit.
Edit: My apologies, video has been updated to the English version.
June 28th, 2008 at 3:19 am
Damn, those American guys & gals speak perfect Japanese.
June 28th, 2008 at 4:59 am
There is no consumer market for these Panasonic in USA. Panasonic tried 10 years ago but failed with the CF-M32. Panasonic toughbooks are all sold to business (I saw them on a cruise) and police.
Like soccer, there is no interests here on UMPCs. Libretto, CF-M32, Casio Fiva, Sony Picturebook, Apple’s Newton… all the tiny stuff failed here. Only the stupid Palm Pilot got popular, I had no idea why, but eventually were all off the shelves. No exception, except iPod and iPhone.
Unless the EEE PC will sell VERY well here, you won’t see a consumer version of this CF-U1. I can guarantee you.
June 28th, 2008 at 6:38 pm
I am sure those man shown in the video have smooth hands and small pointy fingers. The qwerty key pad is pointless in those kinda of applications.
Me! Reply:
July 19th, 2008 at 4:31 am
I was one of the Police Officers in the first sequence of the video.
During our time with it, the other “Officer”/actor was the one that was using it, holding it etc. He isn’t a small guy.. roughly 6’1 or 2″, 200 lbs.. his hands were as seen in the video..
oh ya and..ya, I do have “small pointy” hands lol, but mine weren’t the one’s shown on cam.
June 29th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
The Thoughbook is waterproof:
http://www.akihabaranews.com/en/news_gallery.php?id=16296&img_name=TOUGHBOOK_CF_U1_051.JPG
http://www.akihabaranews.com/en/news-16296-Hands-on+the+CF-U1%2C+Panasonic%27s+First+Atom+Powered+TOUGHBOOK.html
June 30th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
I stopped watching when the Utility segment started. The acting and dialog were becoming so goofy that the whole video was becoming too unbearable to watch! This is NOT the way to sell a new product!
July 28th, 2008 at 7:55 am
You’d swear a porn company did this film.
I was interested in the computer but really what do they take us for?