What an apt situation for post number 101. Being teased into responding and giving my comments on what ultra mobile PC means! Craig Pringle responded with his version of the definition of ‘UMPC.’ Its the very confusing microsoft product definition previously known as ‘Origami.’
Don’t think about Microsoft’s definition Craig, think for a minute about how a potential customer will try to understand the term ‘UMPC’. The first thing they will hear is that its an acronym for Ultra-Mobile PC. If you then try to create two definitions of the same term just because one Ultra Mobile PC doesn’t have touch-pack software then the customer will end up confused, will buy a notebook and we’ve all failed to push the mobile PC sector forward. Clarity for Microsoft ultra mobile PC product managers and partners is one thing. Clarity for customers in another thing altogether.
I know what you mean. Craig’s explanation can be good for us techies but for a normal person or a seller working in a store all these is very confused because they do not all these details.
So is it correct that 1. Intel does not own the trademark UMPC either and 2. neither Intel nor MS can even claim it? (Might need a few legal checks.)
If this is correct it could be smart to call the 770 etc an UMPC as well – although the device is quite different from the Intel/AMD/MS version of these devices and has its own advantages over these. This would leave the term UMPC as a broad category term while carrypad would be just one well-defined (?) niche within this broader UMPC space.
Varis.
As far as I know MS don’t have a trademark on ‘UMPC’ (Craig Pringle – a Microsoft MVP also agrees – ‘they don’t have a trademark on the term UMPC’) and can’t even claim it (there are many previous references to ‘Ultra Mobile PC’ and I think i’m right in saying that you can’t trademark an acronym.)
Manufacturers of alternative ultra-mobile devices should do all they can to focus down on the UMPC term. Everyone will benefit.
Regards
Steve
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