There have been rumors flying about for a while now that the X70 UMPC [#2 in our charts today] includes the voice-capable version of the Huawei 3G modem so when Viliv sent me a replacement for my pre-production X70 sample the first thing I did was to check the 3G hardware and software.
Sure enough the installed software includes a phone dialer and the hardware is wired up to the mic and speakers. It’s a phone! Video demo below…
I spent some time last night testing four 3G-capable devices for both speed and reception on three different provider networks from my desk in my office here in Bonn, Germany just a few kilometres from the global head-office of T-Mobile. The results are very interesting with the Mifi being a great all-rounder and the X70 surprising with some very high-end speeds. The Viliv S5 was disappointing. I was even surprised with the results from the different providers.
Update: Some reports are coming in (see comments) that the 3G on the S5 brings in good results. It’s possible I have a faulty unit here. Maybe a poorly soldered antenna. If anyone else has an S5 and can do comparisons with other 3G devices, please let us know your results. Thanks.
Devices tested
Mifi 2352 3G hotspot from Novatel. HSPA capable. [More information]
Viliv S5 with built-in Huawei EM770. HSPA capable [More information]
Viliv X70 EX with built-in Huawei EM770. HSPA capable [More information]
Gigabyte Touchnote with reseller-fitted Novatell Expedite EU870D. HSDPA only. [More information]
Reception Test
With an average of over 3 bars (from 5) reception, the MiFi reported the best reception of all devices. This result should be taken with a pinch of salt because of course the ‘meters’ aren’t calibrated between devices but the MiFi certainly felt strong. I’ve used the Gigabyte Touchnote many times in extreme 3G situations now and it too is strong and returned a consistent 3-bar reception level at my test desk. Its difficult to pick a winner between the two because as you move towards the edge of a cell, the Touchnote is likely to be the better performer with it’s bigger antenna. The X70 was reliable too showing strong 2-3 bar reception figures on the fastest technologies. The one disappointing result was the Viliv S5 which consistently failed to attach to 3G networks. Reception quality is clearly much lower on the S5 than all other devices.
Speed Test
The speed tests were done using Speedtest.net over a period of about 3 hours. Remember that results very over time, weather conditions, cell load and position but by remaining at my desk for all tests I was able to get a feel for the speeds of the devices and, important for me, the quality of Internet service from the three providers I tested. The Mifi was used in hotspot mode.
Download Test results:
Upload Speed results:
Conclusion
The Mifi appears to be limited in it’s ability to download when used in hotspot mode (not tested in USB modem mode) although the 1mbps figures are quite acceptable and the reception appears to be excellent. There could be an issue with the early firmware too so we’re getting this checked out through Mobilx.eu, the reseller. Overall though, the MiFi looks like the best all-round 3G device out of the test with stable figures across the board. The X70, with it’s HSPA modem showed the highest download scores and in one case, Speedtest recorded 4mbps download over the Fonic / 02 network. It couldn’t quite reach the high speeds on the Vodafone network. This could have been due to the load on the Vodafone network or the slightly less sensitive antenna. The Touchnote download speeds were also very good but highlight the limits of its HSDPA modem which can only support 384kbps upload speeds. For general use though, the Touchnote is very good and I’d rather have high quality reception than extreme upload speeds. Unfortunately, the Viliv S5 I have here just wasn’t capable of getting consistent 3G results. Standing near a window helped but that’s not the point of the test. In the given scenario the Viliv S5 wasn’t able to complete any of the Speedtest results within a reasonable time and the built-in antenna made no difference to reception quality.
As for providers, clearly Fonic, who use the 02 network, are the best in my office area but in general, I don’t use 3G in my office area! I have been testing these networks for a long time though and have been impressed with the 02 data network in Bonn and Cologne. As a result, I’m thinking of cancelling my low-end T-Mobile data contract (my Vodafone data contract has already been cancelled) and getting an Alice 19.95 Euro unlimited 7.2/1.4mbps pre-paid broadband card. Alice use the same network and as I’ve tested Skype with it, I’m pretty happy that it’s a nice open network. (although it does use a different APN to Fonic so there’s a risk there!) 20 Euro per month for 5GB (and then unlimited over GPRS) looks like the best deal in Germany for me at the moment. Given that I can use 5 devices with the Mifi and that the Mifi is proving to have great reception and acceptable throughput, I have to ask myself whether I really need 3G built-in to any of my devices now.
Clearly the MiFi reduces the need for built-in 3G so like me, you’ll have to ask yourself if it’s worth it to look at 3G-capable UMPCs any more. The MiFi doesnt cost much more than a built-in option, is flexible, is easy to use, saves ultra mobile PC battery life (close-range Wifi takes less power than 3G in most cases) and it mobilises up to 5 WiFi devices on one 3G 
contract.
Update: Finally, after seeing that JKKMobile got over 2mbps download on his MiFi, I tested and tested further. I did, once, mange to get a 2.38mbps average download speed, again, on the Fonic/02 network. Note the fantastic ping times of 65ms. Clearly the MiFi is geared towards reliability, stability and reception quality rather than speed. In my opinion, it’s the right balance.
Hopefully you’ve taken a look at JKontherun’s X70 EX coverage over the last few days and seen how sleek the new Viliv X70 EX is. I’ve just picked up an X70 EX Air from Viliv (Thanks Viliv!) The X70 EX Air takes the 1.3Ghz Intel Atom platform and puts it inside a 7 inch casing with a few additional and important elements. Where the S5 has no cam, the X70 has one. Where the S5 has no built in mic, the X70 has one. There’s also a media slot, built-in stylus and a mini USB port that contains a transfer adaptor. Just plug the X70 into your PC and up pops the file transfer software. (Not tested yet) On the AIR model you’ll also find the 32GB SSD and Huwei Mobile Connect 3G Modem. This is the top-end model. Build quality is, as expected from Viliv, top-notch.
Here are a few notes as I wait for my taxi transfer to Taipei airport…
And a few pics…
We had a very detailed email and press release from Viliv today which is now available on their English-language website. In summary, it looks like they will be highlighting global 3G and 4G versions of the S5, X70 EX and S7 UMPCs and demonstrating Windows 7. They will also be revealing two new models. A 10 inch model and a 4.8 inch device with keyboard.
The press release also mentions that Microsoft will be using an S5 with Windows 7 in their keynote. We can’t wait to hear what the VP’s of Microsoft call it. UMPC, MID or Mini Tablet?
Finally they have told us that a retail version of the S5 Premium 3G with 32GB SSD is on it’s way to our office so when we get back from Computex there will be a nice present waiting.
Expect more detailed information on the Viliv devices next week as I’ll be there covering the events here and on MIDMoves.com
Is it because it’s Sunday?
A few days ago Engadget posted a rather sarcastic item about the Loam F7. Actually it was spot-on from the consumer perspective because, quite frankly, it looks cheap. The hilarious part of the story comes when they post about the Viliv X70, a device that has similar specs.
Maybe we’re just hot for sleek, thin, ultra sexy renders of handheld computing devices, but we dare anyone to call the unit pictured above unsightly (and mean it). Shortly after showcasing its swiveling S7 at CES, Viliv has taken the wraps off of its X70 Atom Communication MID.
Apart from the fact that we highlighted this nearly three weeks ago (our fault for not tipping them!) it seems that they’ve fallen in love with an Origami device. Check the specs at Gadgetmix.
Apart from the 22.5mm depth, it’s nothing different.
Mickey-taking aside, it does prove that people are susceptable to a nice design, whatever it is. There’s always been a possibility that a ultra mobile PC or MID would berak through and this article from Engadget underscores that.
Viliv uncovers gorgeous X70 Atom Communication MID – Engadget.
Based on the existing X70, the X70 Atom (which is just a working name i’m told) is built around a 7″ screen and it looks like they’ve incorporated a keyboard by attaching it on some flexible plastic. I guess it clips on somehow. This image is from Pocketables who have been checking out the Yukyung booth.
Looks like a solid design and will probably appeal as a PMP/Internet Media workstation. We’re in touch with Viliv and keeping a close track on this one, the S5 and the S7.
also at Pocketables:
This video, taken at the Viliv launch event in Korea, shows some nice detail about the cube user interface on the Viliv S5.
It’s an interesting way to tackle the problems of using a desktop OS with a finger. Of course, when you get past the UI you’re dealing with the same old problems but these sort of layers could make XP more attractive and friendly to MID buyers and yet still give the power users the back-end they require to do productive work.
YouTube user ’59hjh’ has other videos too. The video playback demo shows KMPlayer dealing with a 16mbps 720p file and outputing it to an HD screen with no problems at all. The browser demo shows, as we’ve seen before on the Atom-based devices, a top-notch mobile Web experience.
S7 is still on the roadmap
Expect to see the S5 at CES along with two other Atom-based devices. We’ve been in touch with Yukyung Technologies and they tell us that the S7 will be appearing in working form. The S7 is the very interesting pro-mobile ultra mobile PC we had hands-on with at IDF (see specs and video) and looks like it matches rumoured Sony ultra mobile PC specs.
X7 7″ slate on the way
The S5 is derived from the X5 PMP so it makes sense that there will be an Atom-based variant of the X70 tablet-style PMP shown on the right. There’ll be a working prototype of it at CES codenamed X70-Atom. For a slate 7″er to be well received in the consumer market it’s going to have to have something special so we’re looking forward to seeing what it’s key features are.
It looks like Yulkyung’s ViliV products are going to be ones to watch at CES. The designs and specs look extremely attractive so far and the prices that they talked about at IDF, very competitive. The only thing that remains is to find out about US and EU availability. For what it’s worth, I’ll certainly be encouraging Yukyung to get these devices out into these areas ASAP.
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