Thanks to Slashgear for this demo which convinces me that given a bump up on the font size, the UMID M1 is going to be extremely easy to ‘thumb’
Check out the nice gallery too, over at Slashgear. Thanks Chris!
UMID M1 MID typing demo video & gallery – SlashGear.
February 21st, 2009 at 3:52 pm
Interesting form factor. That screen should be larger filling more of the space on the lid.
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February 21st, 2009 at 4:41 pm
yeah, it looks nice, but still the price seems to high, and the performance and memory to low. what I dont like about this particular ultra mini lap is the bezel sorrounding the screen, they could have made it smaller and the screen bigger, that way the icons, etc. would be substantially bigger. If they claim the that the bezzel was necessary for the webcam, I think this is not excuse, look at the cell phones and how they manage to put one in a super small corner.
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February 21st, 2009 at 5:17 pm
$500 is high? The screen cannot be enlarged without increasing the overall size. It is perfect when you need a pocket PC. The only thing missing is a mouse.
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February 22nd, 2009 at 11:07 pm
Actually if you look at the room next to the LCD there would be room to widen it, though I’m sure they are working around screens available on the market now. Making/using a custom size screen as on the Vaio P would cost a lot more!
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February 22nd, 2009 at 11:34 pm
The antennas will be either side of the screen I expect. The same design set up is in the Vaio P
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February 21st, 2009 at 5:48 pm
Agree, all it need is a mouse (optical mouse so the size did not increase).
Also other concern is the material used on this unit.
But let see and wait. (I’m debating between this and U820)
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February 22nd, 2009 at 11:08 pm
Agree on the mouse being needed (as I mentioned on the podcast from CES) though I’m impressed too by the optical mouses found on some mobile devices such as the Samsung mobiles, I am not so sure it would “not increase size” due to the size requirements INSIDE of the unit, the part of the “mouse” you don’t see from the outside.
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February 21st, 2009 at 5:48 pm
Of course the screen can be enlarged without altering overall size. Though youd have to alter aspect ratio too.
I imagin something like a 1280×600 screen in the umid which would fill the to bezzels on the side.
In addition, you should be able scale the whole windows appearance according to your needs. The high resultion is definitly needed for web browsing.
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February 21st, 2009 at 7:09 pm
1280 would be nice but price will go too high and battery life will suffer. 1024 is enough for web, I have not seen a single site that’s designed for 1280. Actually the only site that’s locked to 1024 and not for 800 is pocketables.net. How ironic, that site is called “pocketables”.
That said, yes, I’d love to have a 1280×600 screen, it can only make this thing even better.
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February 22nd, 2009 at 11:15 pm
Well until we have “pocketable” devices like we’d want most of us are using other devices to read Jenn’s site
Frankly I have no problem viewing Jenn’s site on my iPhone not in portrait nor landscape mode
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February 21st, 2009 at 7:37 pm
…4.8inch, higher resolution, windows XP and Chris had quite a problem closing a window…
i still don’t get it..XP on such a small touchscreen..
why do you guys still believe the MID is going to be a killer device? have you been following the device developments and how the market is interested in this (see Moblin delays, see disappearing compal devices from market)?
they will sell a few of these and that’s it.
my opinion? destination failure of the (U)MID…
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February 21st, 2009 at 9:37 pm
may i remind you that this site is called UMPCportal…
we want small computers
OS ist customizable…
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February 21st, 2009 at 10:05 pm
so? a netbook is also one of those. and i did not say anything against the website. i also want a MID, but apparently we’re not enough and with too many different interests…
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February 22nd, 2009 at 1:50 pm
Netbooks are small, but not small enough. Netbook sized devices have been around for years with ultraportable PCs(which obviously costed a lot). UMPCs and MIDs put the “ultraportable” on the Netbook, which does raise the price, but becoming almost handheld, there is considerable interest on such a portable full function device.
People like “extreme”. I’ve heard how back couple of years ago out of the Geforce 4 TI, the 4200, 4400 and 4600, the 4200 and the 4600 sold better than the 4400.
February 22nd, 2009 at 2:18 pm
umpcportal covers netbooks so do we now define a UMPC by the size or by portability or mobility or just name?
nobody is clear anymore on naming and specification, even names (netbook and psion) now create a problem.
since the whole market is confused and manufacturers too, i have my own definition:
UMPC= ultra mobile personal computer
this covers all small devices which are NOT laptops over 12 inch and desktops.
the UMID for me is rather a smaller netbook, it’s not tablet form factor nor slider. and with a touchscreen it’s not as functional as with a rotational screen. so a touchscreen and 4,8inch size with high resolution…anyway, i don’t see the big interest in these devices, 2 years now talking and some few devices out there.
a netbook was announced less time ago and sold millions. so define interest! i repeat, i want a MID, a compal device type, but as of today i would not spend more money for a device which is in beta status. the umid is nice, but not my type as the touchscreen is not useable without being able to rotate…
February 22nd, 2009 at 7:05 pm
personally i don’t think of a netbook as a “UMPC” – it’s a “MPC”, but i wouldn’t call it “Ultra Mobile”…
and you’re right, fab…chippy started covering netbooks with the eee pc…probably due to people’s interest and also the lack of new UMPCs…
i embrace the new devices and chippy’s coverage, because before netbooks this site was much more about UMPCs and now there are finally new UMPCs (respectively “MIDs”)
February 22nd, 2009 at 12:46 pm
And whats wrong with xp? I tend to run apps on my devices and xp carries these very well indeed!
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February 22nd, 2009 at 11:18 pm
Either the UMID MID will make a good success or there will be some other similar device as it from UMID or some other brand to take that place. I predict it will become the “netbooks of pocketables”
Despite EEE 701 being one of the first to hit the market and with Linux, neither the 7″ 701 nor the Linux editions have majority of the market share (right?), but yet the EEEs are the most known. I predict a similar market reaction to this UMID.
People want a FULL OS they are used to and to which they can add all the SW they are used to.
As for what’s wrong with XP I could mention a long list but yet it offers the best “compromise” for most still.
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February 22nd, 2009 at 12:05 pm
I’ve been doing a bit of experimenting and have found that these flat keyboards are not conducive to fast thumb typing. The keys need to be raised and seperate from each other otherwise I find I’m constantly hitting more than one key at a time and the end result looks like some type of indecipherable code phrase.
And it definitely needs a mouse thingy. And not gay white colour.
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February 22nd, 2009 at 12:31 pm
i actually agree with the keyboard, that’s why i did not want the eeepc 901 even though it’s a nice device..
ps: lets leave the homophobic comments outside, color is not technical and an individual taste…
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February 22nd, 2009 at 12:39 pm
i would argue with that. black keyboard with white lettering is always easier to use due to the contrast. especially true in low light and with backlit keyboards.
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February 22nd, 2009 at 2:08 pm
so that’s an individual preference and not a technical spec. my keyboard is light grey and black letters. i write with 60+ words per minute and i don’t even look at the keyboard – be it night or day. so color is a preference, it does not make the device better or worse. and this umid does not come with a backlit keyboard so it’s not an advantage.
February 23rd, 2009 at 10:35 am
No, id argue that for most people, the white on black will be better, not due to personal preference but simply because its a better contrast for the eye.
Even without backlight, i would say the most people will find it better. I may be wrong but im basing it on experience from myself and others, not personal preference
March 8th, 2009 at 4:08 am
> id argue that for most people, the white on black will be better, not due to personal preference but simply because its a better contrast for the eye.
IMHO, white letters on black keyboard are extremely difficult to see in low light. When I use a notebook with black keyboard in a dark room, I have to illuminate it with USB lamp. Now I have Toshiba R500 with white keyboard — it’s quite comfortable even in the dark.
And about the better contrast for the eye… There is a reason why the black text on white backgroud became a norm…
February 22nd, 2009 at 11:23 pm
John in Norway,
As I’ve stated before the keys on small mobile devices should NOT be as on the (most) HTC devices or the E90 Nokia where they are “wall-to-wall” but with space between like on the G1 (yes also an HTC device
) or Apple keyboard or Sidekick keyboards, size of keys is not that vital as spacing. But of course size plays a vital role too. I’m ok with the EEE keyboards and my first hand experiences with the UMIDs is that it’s very similar to EEE keyboard, I would personally prefer spacing between the keys (and yes smaller keys in return).
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February 22nd, 2009 at 12:33 pm
The screen bezel should also have contained mouse controls unless they’re already filled by the display controller underneath. If the price is right and it comes with HSUPA (UMTS900) plus the build quality is decent, this might be a very nice device.
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February 22nd, 2009 at 12:50 pm
a mouse control would be nice but having spent time with the everun note, i know its quite easy to adapt to touchscreen only on a device under 800gm.
Its just a matter of adapting to the device tonget the best out of it.
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February 22nd, 2009 at 2:35 pm
True, my concern only rises from sometimes having the need to move the cursor or hover over a target without clicking in XP – a case of not having a proper software user interface to be exact! A good front-end would alleviate many problems, if it’s a good one and doesn’t introduce problems of its own.
(Except in games, where you can’t (always) expect a mouse-driven interface to be redesigned for touchscreen only input.)
My previous comment was made with my 901 Go while on the move – well, at a rest stop that is. It was usable for maps in a roomy car, but a proper UMPC or MID would have been much, much nicer. The 901’s battery lasted the whole 400 km trip though, playing music through Spotify while providing Google Maps too. Asus, Samsung, anyone – bring on an affordable 6+ hour ultraportable please!
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February 22nd, 2009 at 11:25 pm
The build quality of the UMIDs I’ve seen so far have been “so-so” but again I don’t consider this device to be an OQO contender.
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February 22nd, 2009 at 9:34 pm
You can hover by starting the click near the place u want to hover and then move your finger while still pressing the touch screen.
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February 23rd, 2009 at 10:37 am
Anyone ever seen any ’snap to’ mouse software which could be useful with ‘click on release’ touchscreen setup?
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February 24th, 2009 at 4:17 pm
will this product be available in North America?
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February 24th, 2009 at 5:15 pm
[AFX] as in the one from the AXIMSITE (mobilitysite)? I am “ecsk2″ from there
I still use your themes for my X51V! 
Anyhow dynamism.com does have it listed on their site but without any WWAN option if I recall correctly.
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February 24th, 2009 at 5:25 pm
that would be me, yes. i dont need WiMAX/WiBro, just normal wifi…
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February 24th, 2009 at 5:30 pm
What a small world
yeah if you don’t want/need WWAN and if you specifically want to get it from a US company then AFAIK Dynamism is one (the only?) option for now.
Btw here is a podcast between myself Chippy and JKK while I was live at the UMID booth at CES 2009: (see next post)
P.S. Due to the Skype (this was a skype call) lag there a little confusion when I ask UMID reps things, which made Chippy believe I was asking him
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February 24th, 2009 at 5:34 pm
Well the spam filter won’t allow me to post the link it seems but its Podcast#10 on here on UMPCportal.
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February 24th, 2009 at 6:06 pm
looks like a nice gadget, just hope it doesnt cost as much as the sony vaio P….
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February 24th, 2009 at 6:21 pm
If you go to POCKETABLES dot NET you’ll see Jenn has pricing info around the $500 mark. Now while I don’t feel the Vaio P is expensive for what you get, it goes to $1500 or so with the SSD and WWAN I’d like to have in it (Vaio P) and that’s a bit too high for my taste for the Vaio.
This UMID however I’d pay more than $500 gladly due to it’s size, as it unlike the Vaio P *IS* pocketable, I’ve had a UMID in my pocket
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February 24th, 2009 at 6:25 pm
very true. im hoping the SSD is SLC and not MLC….will be a PITA to install XP and make it run decent.
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February 25th, 2009 at 10:10 am
BE THE FIRST ONE TO HAVE IT! PREODER IT NOW! DELIVERY: 23-26 MARCH
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&item=150326491482
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February 26th, 2009 at 3:10 pm
“Reports are coming out of Korea that UMID have been forced to recall their M1 mobile internet device over concerns about build quality and finishing. The M1, which retails in Korea as the mBook, went on limited sale on February 13th, and apparently is yet to sell out the 500 units.”
“Reported issues include poor moldings around ports, together with rough or chipped finish to the clamshell MID’s hinges and edges. It’s also possible to see directly into the casing through the over-sized cutout for the battery connector.”
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March 1st, 2009 at 5:29 pm
Doesn’t surprise me at all, it’s been noted all since CES (2009) that he UMID has had some questionable build quality. Let’s just hope it doesn’t kill it?
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March 1st, 2009 at 3:30 am
Hands on video. Looks promising still I think. In the video he shows how to right click. Certainly the most UMPC-like new device I’ve seen this year so far
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNfIzSmC6s4
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March 2nd, 2009 at 11:45 pm
it’s shiny … geeky …
but in the usability stakes, a smartphone will blow this out of the water.
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