The UK company ICD (Innovative Converged Devices) has an interesting product called the Ultra. Its a 7 inch device based on the Nvidia Tegra 2 platform and runs Android. (Detailed overview here.) We weren’t able to see it running so we can’t confirm if this is a true Google Android phone device or just a build based on the open-source components. Like the Mobinnova Beam, if it comes with Google apps and the Marketplace, it’ a good indicator that Google are taking the non-voice segment seriously.

ICD Ultra specifications

The IC Ultra is heading for Verizon in the US and as ICD is known to be working with T-Mobile in the UK, we hope that it will reach the EU shores too.

Information on the ICD Ultra appeared via Engadget and NBC (Via Ebooktest)  over the over the weekend and we’ve just spotted that the information is also available on a new webpage and hidden PDF (currently available here) on the ICD website. The information reveals a ton of exciting specifications including Android V2 and built-in 3G.

Engadget’s hands on says:

“The version we had a chance to play with — a prototype running Android 2.0 — was blazingly fast when it came to 1080p playback and web browsing inch

Looking at the specs it appears that we’re seeing the first device on the new Nvisia Tegra Platform. Details aren’t available but we suspect it to be a multi-core Cortex A5 design. If it’s running at 1Ghz and if Android can take advantages of a multi-core OS then yes, this is going to be fast and multi-tasking capable.

Information and updates are being tracked in a new ICD Ultra product page at UMPCPortal

As for size, we’re a little dissapointed. The target weight is 600gm which is too big for e-reading. Based on whave we’ve seen with the Archos 5 Internet Tablet, we’re sure that something thinner and lighter is possible. The 16-bit screen isn’t going to impress video fans either.

However, if ICD can sell entry-level versions of this for under 300 as is suggested on the Engadget article, it makes it a very very interesting home tablet indeed. 7 inch works well in the hands and looks great on a coffee-table.

Specifications from our ICD Ultra product information page.

• Manufacturer: ICD
• Model name: Ultra
• CPU type: Nvidia Tegra
• CPU speed: 1000 Mhz
• OS: Android V2.0
• Display Size: 7″ 800 X 480
• RAM: 256 MB
• Flash: 512 MB
• Weight (target): 600gm / 21.2 oz.
• Size (w/h/d mm) 186/158/18 mm
• Size (w/h/d inches) 7.3/6.2/0.7

Physical Interfaces

• Micro USB
• HDMI
• Line-out / Headphone (3.5mm)

Wireless Interfaces

• 802.11b/g
• BT 2.1
• 3G option

Additional Specs and Accessories (can vary)

• FM radio
• Ambient light sensor
• Mic array
• Accelerometer
• Stereo speakers
• GPS (option)

Alternatives and comparable devices can be found in the product database.

Stay tuned for more information and hands on. We plan to check this one out in detail at CES in Jan.

It looks like this test is over now. The TabletKiosk MP3400 blew up on me.

This morning, everything was going well. The MP3400 was charging well from the Sunlinq…

…but later in the day, when I was charging the Q1 Ultra from the MP3400, it all went wrong. The MP3400 overheated in a big way…

I had left the Q1 Ultra connected to the MP3400 in the boot/trunk of the car while I went out to pick up some beer and when I came back the unit was incredibly hot. When I took it out of it’s case, it was clear that it had overheated as the plastic on the inside of the case had melted onto the battery. Part of the grille had melted too.

I left it to cool for 20 minutes and it looked like it was working again but it didn’t last long. Its completely dead now. No lights, nothing!

Lesson learned. Don’t try and use the MP3400 in 32 degrees heat inside the protective case, inside the boot of a car.

Fortunately the Q1 Ultra is still working although i’m down to 60 minutes battery now. There’s no way to charge it up until I get home on Saturday evening. Here ends another Solar-UMPC test. Now where’s that beer I bought….