The first news is that we just hit over our 1,000th post in the [url=https://www.umpcportal.com/modules/newbb/]forums[/url]. So thanks to everyone that has signed up and chatted about the UMPC. It will be exciting when the devices start getting released because we have a large group of people here to help others in their questions and purchasing of the devices.

Secondly, We reported earlier that we had been featured on a UK show called [url=http://gadgetshow.five.tv/jsp/5gsmain.jsp?lnk=401&section=Links&show=s4e10&featureid=132]The Gadget Show[/url]. Matt9m5 was kind enough to record the video and we have it hosted in our pic/vids section [url=https://www.umpcportal.com/modules/xcgal/displayimage.php?pid=79]here[/url]. so check out what OrigamiPortal looks like on television and watch Chippys name in lights.

And lastly some sad news in case no one had noticed yet, but we have cancelled our [url=https://www.umpcportal.com/modules/tinycontent/index.php?id=1]podcast [/url] this week due to not having enough time this week because of work. But we will be back with show #5 soon.

Once again, thanks to everyone for helping us build this website and for all of the new users that have signed up and not yet posted feel free to post a little about yourself in our [url=https://www.umpcportal.com/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=84&forum=4]New Users thread[/url] or chat about your feelings on the ultra mobile PC devices. Read the full story

Today has been a big day for the Samsung Q1 in Korea.
First according to [url=http://www.umpcbuzz.com/blogs/umpc_buzz/archive/2006/04/12/8419.aspx]UMPCBuzz[/url] the website [url=http://www.telecomskorea.com]telecomskorea[/url] is reporting that Samsung is going to release a VIA version of its ultra mobile PC for $700.

I was unable to log in to see the information but the google news item stated, A company official said on Wednesday, “The Via chip-based ultra mobile PC can be priced at slightly over $ 700. The model name is not decided yet.”

So there is no other news to back this claim up, but if true that is good to hear.

Also according to the [url=http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/SITE/data/html_dir/2006/04/13/200604130023.asp]Korean Herald[/url] the Q1 will be released on May 1 in Korea under the name Sens Q1. The device is also expected to have a price tag of almost 2 Million Won or $2,000 dollars. So a bit more pricey than the VIA units so far a nd apossible reason why Samsung may be creating a VIA based system in the future.
Read the full story

[img]https://www.umpcportal.com/origami/images/origamicarshot.jpg[/img]

Thanks to Marix for letting us know that Richard Morton over at [url=http://www.origamicar.com/cs/blogs/origamicaro/archive/2006/04/10/16.aspx]OrigamiCar[/url] just got a chance to install his new OrigamiCar software on a ultra mobile PC unit.

The version shown in the photos is an early build of the software, but apparently the build ran well on the 256 MB of RAM contained in the unit.

There is also a great picture of Richard wearing a bright orange hat with the windows logo that they made him wear while they took a picture of him, so go check it out.

Read the full story

Last month, I posted journals about CPU comparisons and power utilisation in ultra mobile PC and Origami devices. VIAArena have now published a nice article by Van Smith from Vans Hardware with even more details about the C7-M ULV processor including the all-important battery life tests that I couldn’t find for my article.The tests were done using laptops but from these results we can calculate likey ultra mobile PC battery life figures.

Importantly, It gives us the first test result that confirms, as we expected, that the VIA C7-ULM processor would be the best choice of processor for ultra mobile PC devices under normal work conditions. The Celeron, didn’t do at all well in this test.

VIA’s midget processor extracts an amazing 7.31 hours of runtime out of a budget notebook using a 48.8 Watt-hour battery! The Pentium-M does pretty well, but still falls nearly an hour short of the VIA C7-M ULV processor.

UMPCs – 4 hours at minimum load.
By using a VIA C7, the results show 7.31 hours of min power draw. The maths are quite easy there because the CPU clockrate has a minimal effect on battery power at idle or low-load operations. As Origami devices have about 24 watt-hour batteries, the expected life is a little over half of that with the 48 watt-hour battery.

UMPCs – under 2 hours at full-load.
The full-load VIA example is just as interesting. The laptop tested gives 3.2 hours using a 48W battery. If you take into account the smaller disk drive, small screen and lower clock processor of an Origami CPU, I think you’ll see about 55-60% of that figure for your VIA-based UMPC. That equates to about 1.8 hours under full-load. Using a Celeron, that figure will be about 1.3 hours.

UMPC’s – 2.5 hour films.
In the real world, watching a film for example, you’ll be making sure that your films are under 2.5 hours long with a VIA-based UMPC. If you’re a Celeron user, I hope you’re a cartoon fan!

Remember that the VIA processors have lower processing performance than Pentiums but for the average user, the C7-M ULV looks like the best choice for UMPC’s

Here’s looking forward to the real first side-by-side ultra mobile PC battery life tests.

Take a look at the report. Its a really good read. Well done and thanks to Vans Hardware.

[url=http://www.engadget.com/2006/04/10/samsung-q1-gets-official-list-of-accessories/]Engadget[/url] had a link to a PDF on [url=http://www.expansys.com/i/drv/q1_leaflet.pdf]Expansys[/url] which shows some of the accessories that are available from Samsung for the Q1. Alot of these were shown at Cebit, but it’s nice ot see the official pictures of what they are going to be offering.

In the PDF they list a keyboard, Organizer bag, ODO, Car Cradle and Power Bank and Cell as add on accessories and also have a list of the different carrying options available.

[img]https://www.umpcportal.com/origami/images/samsungaccessories/samsungq1bags.jpg[/img]

The Keyboard Pouch, Q1 pouch, Cross Bag Type 1, and Cross Bag Type 2.

And I think the keyboard pouch and Q1 pouch pictures are supposed to be reversed.

They also have some pictures showing GPRS card usage so people can feel good about using the ultra mobile PC in any location. Read the full story

Both Carrypad and Ultranauts carried journals about this – UMPC’s could be subsidised by offering them in bundles with data or content packages.

I wrote mainly about subsidies with content (for example, offering TV content or Video Telephony packages.) but with the announcement that Linksys and Nokia have teamed up to offer a a wifi/tablet package, I can now see the opportunities for subsidies with data plans. Either broadband or Wifi.

I had thought that the Nokia 770 would really be pushed as a partner product for a mobile phone but this announcement shows that Nokia are not scared to take a step or two away from mobile carriers and look at other pricing models.

Could we see a broadband data plan with linksys router and Nokia bundled? Broadband internet marketing in Western Europe is going to get a lot harder soon as the sales move into more difficult demographics. Maybe a ultra mobile PC would make a nice sweetener. How about this for a product bundle?

The Carrypad Broadband bundle (not currently available!!)

• 2M Broadband connection (24 month contract.)
• Bundled Wifi router.
• Bundled UMPC.
• TV/Internet – 10 channels.
• TV/Air (DMB/DVB-T) – 10 high quality TV channels.
• Audio and Video telephony flatrate with incoming number.
• Wifi hotspot contract

How much do you think that lot will cost? 60 Euro per month? More? Less?
Are you for or against bundling and subsidies? I’m not a great fan but as a springboard for these devices, it could mean the difference between success and failure.

We ended up checking out all the FCC PDFs that were available, and picked out some interesting pics for your viewing pleasure. Trust us, these are much more exciting than the [url=https://www.umpcportal.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=61]somewhat bland user manual[/url].

As you can see from some of the pics, [url=http://www.amtek.com.tw/english/Products_itablet_T700=06.htm]AMTEK[/url] is manufacturing the TabletKiosk eo V7110 (as well as the PBJ SmartCaddie).

On to the pics!

[img]http://origamiportal.com/origami/images/tabletkiosk/eosetup.jpg[/img]

Here is our little ultra mobile PC friend being monitored by the FCC test station.

[img]http://origamiportal.com/origami/images/tabletkiosk/eocrushed.jpg[/img]

The FCC does their best to crush the eo, but to no avail.

[img]http://origamiportal.com/origami/images/tabletkiosk/eoamteck.jpg[/img]

Our first look at the innards.

[img]http://origamiportal.com/origami/images/tabletkiosk/eolabel.jpg[/img]

This is a close-up of the label on the back of the device. Hmmm, iTablet.

[img]http://origamiportal.com/origami/images/tabletkiosk/eovia.jpg[/img]

Nice shot of the VIA chipset that will be powering the TabletKiosk eo.

[img]http://origamiportal.com/origami/images/tabletkiosk/eoparts.jpg[/img]

ultra mobile PC all back together again, laying next to all the accessories. Read the full story

Thanks to [url=https://www.umpcportal.com/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=166&forum=1&post_id=946#forumpost946]ctitanic[/url] for providing us with a link to the TabletKiosk eo ultra mobile PC user manual that is up on the FCC site (Users Manual at bottom of table). Its a nice long read, so everyone who has been waiting for more details on this device should be pleased. Below is some info taken from the manual:

[b]Getting to know your UMPC[/b]

[b]* Mouse Left/Right Key[/b]
This is equivalent to the left and right key on an average mouse that
you are using.
[b]* D-Pad (4 Direction + Enter)[/b]
– [↑]/[↓] Buttons
Press on the [↑]/[↓] buttons to scroll down on the item
vertically that you wish to execute or run.
– [←] [→] Buttons
Press on the [→] or [←] buttons to scroll down on the item
horizontally that you wish to execute or run.
– Enter Button
This button operates the same as when you are using the enter
key on the keyboard.
[b]* LaunchPad[/b]
You can select the program you want to start when you press this
tablet button.
[b]* Software Keyboard[/b]
Press this button to open the onscreen keyboard and use the stylus
to tap and select the major function that you usually use on the
keyboard.
[b]* Power On indicator[/b]
This LED icon represents the status when you are using the
computer by using the adapter.
– Green light indicates it is in On status
– Blinking indicates it is in standby mode.
[b]* Battery Indicator[/b]
This LED icon indicates the present status of your battery.
– LED in Amber color indicates is in charging status.
– LED in Green color indicates it is in full status operates with
DC.
– LED turn off indicates without DC plug in
[b]* HDD Accessing[/b]
This LED icon indicates that the computer is accessing the hard disk
drive. The LED will blink in amber color to indicate this status.
[b]* Wireless Status[/b]
This LED icon indicates your computer is in wireless status. The
LED will lit in amber to indicate this status.
[b]* Stick Point[/b]
This is equivalent to the touchpad on an ordinary notebook
computer.
[b]* PageUp[/b]
Press this button to go up the page when you are scrolling on the
window screen.
[b]* PageDown[/b]
Press this button to go down the page when you are scrolling on the
window screen.
[b]* A-Menu[/b]
Use this key to enable the A-Menu display function.
[b]* Resolution Selection[/b]
Press this button to adjust the resolution of your screen.

More details below… Read the full story