IDF Mobility Keynote

…starts in a few minutes. People looking a bit tired as its an early start here at the Moscone Centre!

I’ll update as we go along….

0810 - We’re off….

OQO responds to IDF product placement.

Apparently the OQO that appeared on stage at the mobility keynote yesterday was "a technology showcase, not an impending product announcement." Someone’s head is going to roll for that one and VIA will be extremely upset with both Intel and OQO!

Here’s the statement from Dennis Moore, the CEO.

Yes, indeed, that is an OQO prototype shown with an Intel(r) Atom(r) processor.  Intel is showcasing the OQO prototype in a couple of their keynotes and elsewhere at IDF because we have achieved by far the best performance with their processor in our technology demonstration.
Note that this is not a product launch or announcement, but is a demonstration of what we think an Intel Atom processor should do in a product targeting users who need the ultimate in mobile productivity, and demonstrates all the areas where OQO has led the market for years — performance, battery life, thermals, usability, design, and form factor.  While there are other small and light devices using Intel’s Atom processor, none of them comes close to the performance and productivity we are showing with this technology demonstration.
Intel selected OQO to collaborate on developing technologies that will further enhance the productivity of enterprise mobile workers and individual mobile professionals, and did so due to OQO’s longstanding leadership in ultra-mobile computing.  OQO is participating in this technology demonstration to showcase leading-edge advances in ultra-mobile computing and to reinforce OQO’s leadership position in this growing market.
I hope this helps explain today’s news — a technology showcase, not an impending product announcement.
Thanks for being our customers!

I guess the product announcement comes at some point in the future, just not today!

This statement was released to OQOTalk and comes via JKOntheRun.

IDF Day 1 summary

What an incredibly busy day. 12 hours of IDF followed by a few hours of organising content and information gleaned from various people during the day.

You might have seen my brief coffee-break videocast from the IDF upload lounge so you’ll know that I spent some time with Intel and their PR people this morning demonstrating devices. We made a couple of videos that you’ll see on the Intel site soon and picked up some nice information through the keynotes and showcase sessions. (more after the pics…)

Digifriends (more pics here) and Benq (more pics here) MIDS

Moblin Open Mike session.

In the open mic session, companies presented software solutions that are being developed for MIDs. Nice to see that the high-layers are being worked on. Its important!!

• One Voice technologies - Adam Finch.  Voice recognition software. They want to enable a voice activated MID. IM, Media etc.
• Gypsii - Jeff Lyn. Mobile, GPS-enabled social networking. Share user-created POI’s. MID-optimised UI.
• ThunderSoft - ‘One stop software solution in MIDs.’ OS customisation, localisation etc. A software development company.
• Fring. Mobile Instant messaging. Multi-protocol. Includes SIP support. Connectivity to common IM networks. Integration into Web2.0 networks e.g. twitter. Open API.
• Move networks. Player for mobile devices. Apparently will be shown in keynotes tomorrow.
• Mediacast. Delivery of non real-time media and software
• Livecast,. Simple real-time broadcast from mobile devices.
• Movial - Software service provider. White-label applications for re-branding. Internet browsers, media players.
• Comverse -  Billing, messaging and voip. White label service for service providers.
• Wind River - Operating System vendor. Creating a commercial grade Moblin/Linux OS for MIDs. Includes applications.

This is just a selection of the presentation given. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to catch the whole session due to an important showcase session that I’ll report on later.

lenovo S9 netbook images from IDF mobility keynote.

I don’t really have any comment on this as about all I could touch was the keyboard but later on today I expect to be able to get hands-on. I’ll be comparing it to the netbook i’m using right now, the Medion Akoya (MSI Wind.) which has been performing flawlessly. I even did a live Ustream videocast from it earlier! Anyway, back to the Lennovo…

Click the images for the larger versions in the IDF gallery.

OQO on Atom

Just spotted on stage at IDF.

Update: It looks like exactly the same hardware as the original. Its been confirmed too. OQO will use Atom.

IDF Day One. All the MIDs are here!

If you click through to the large version of that image you’ll see a big list of all the MIDs that are here at IDF. I haven’t seen all of them yet but in the center of the entrance hall, most of them are displayed. I had a bit of hands on but there’s so much going on here right now it’s difficult to get into any detail.

The U2010 is lighter than expected but oh so sweet. Running Vista unfortunately. The Pink WiBrain is a shocker, the Benq really does have a lovely UI (the best i’ve seen yet on a MID) and the Compal/Gigabyte/Aigo is for me, still the most usable form factor.

The others should arrive later today so I’ll be keeping a look out for them and will probably see them in the event that starts at 1800 here.

Check out the full gallery here.

Later today there should be a video up that I made with Intel about an hour ago where go through some of the MID devices. It’s being edited right now but i’ll send a link over Friendfeed as soon as I have it.

IDF Kicks off early

With a little hands on in the W hotel with a few Intel reps. The Lennovo U8 is here and looking beautiful. Shame about the UI which disappoints compared to that other UI-focused mobile Internet device but the style is slick, the browser fast and everyone loves it. I`ll be testing the video performance soon.

IDF starts for real tomorrow morning and the buzz is high. I`ve seen Wibrain and they have the i1 UMPC with them. Im really interested in seeing that.

More details tommorrow.

Dell Inspiron 910 full specs and release date leaked

Gizmodo shows us lots of purportedly leaked info about the upcoming Dell Inspiron 910 netbook (yes the one that will not include a row of function keys). Swing by the Gizmodo link to see images showing all sides of the 910. Pretty standard as far as netbooks go: 3 USB 2.0 ports, Ethernet, VGA output, webcam, and a card slot (probably SSD).  If the info as right, the unit will go on sale as early as August 22nd. As we can see from Gizmodo’s images, it looks like there will be 4/8/16GB SSD options. In one of the images showing the insides of the netbook there is a black unit labeled WWAN, the spec sheet also lists wireless connectivity options as "WWAN/WLAN" so it is safe to say that if this info is correct, the 910 will feature WWAN connectivity. In usual Dell style, it would appear as though Ubuntu will be offered as an OS choice on the 910 alongside Windows XP (thanks for not slapping us with Vista).

Rumors of a $299 price point are still unconfirmed. I’m excited for the 910, I’ve always wished that Dell would jump into the UMPC game, but it looks like they are following the netbook trend. I’m still expecting a quality product from Dell, hopefully I’ll be able to get my hands on one to see how well it stacks up to the competition.

Gigabyte M528 pricing update. Not a real MID yet.

On one hand, I wish I hadn`t started tracking the pricing info for the M528. On the other hand, I think its been important at highlighting customers opinion to the resellers. For example, when the first reseller price was released, the tech blogs and potential customers reacted very negatively. Not surprising at that price! And then, just days ago, the reaction turned positive as Expansys added the M528 to its catalogue at a teasingly good 550 Euros.

Today though, I`m wishing that the resellers would get their acts together because I’ve received a response to my `is that price correct and does it include 3G` query. You guessed it. The price does not include 3G which changes the equation completely. Now we`re looking at a device that simply isn’t a MID anymore. What makes Gigabyte and resellers think that people are going to want a MID that only works in WIfi hotspots and where is the 3G version? A modified description at Expansys leads us to believe that the 3G is now user upgradeable but I don`t see any upgrade options.

"LAN/Wireless LAN - 802.11b/g via SDIO I/F, HSDPA available through mini card module (available separately)" (ref)

I`ve sent a query email to the UK marketing people but as its past 6pm there as I write this, I don`t expect to see an answer until Tuesday.

Raon Everun Note. Should they make an 8.9" version?

130+ comments seems to indicate a serious amount of interest in the Raon Digital Everun Note that we’ve been talking about over the last few days. There are concerns about the battery life and the credibility of the CrystalMark tests and slight disappointment that it doesn’t have a swivel screen but on the whole, people seem to be very interested. I’m guessing a lot of orders for the SC3 just went on hold until independent info becomes available and its probably because of the thought that there might be a UMPC on the horizon that satisfies even the most demanding of road warriors. (more after the pic…)

Ultra Mobile Podcast 18

JKK and I talk about the upcoming IDF and what could be in store for Ultra Mobile fans next week and we take some time to think about the Everun Note.

Direct download: MP3, 44 Minutes, 30MB

Subscribe to the Ultra Mobile Podcast RSS Feed

Digitimes: Nano in HP, Mobile-ITX before Q2 2009.

Article 1 - Digitimes reports that HP ordered 500,000 VIA C7’s and also placed an order for Nano CPUs.

Article 2 - Mobile-ITX is on target for Q4 2008 or Q1 2009.

I’m afraid the source trace ends at Digitimes for this story and there’s really not much detail here. The Nano order could be for Notebook PCs or it could be for a new HP2133. It’s anyone’s guess. As for the Mobile-ITX news, it’s just another target date. Sit-back and keep waiting with your fingers crossed!

IDF Fall 2008. Mobile computing Warm-Up.

At about 4am on Saturday I’ll be waking up to start my journey to San Francisco for the Intel Developer Forum (IDF)which starts the following Tuesday. I should be there about 20 hours later after I’ve made my way to Frankfurt and done the two-part flight via Portland. I really hope there are charging points on the plane!!

IDF is Intel’s 3-times yearly event that brings together partners, developers, journalists and exhibitors and presents them with a 3-day Intel-fest of the latest advances, products, methods and technologies. For readers here it means that we’ll be able to get the latest information about Intel’s UMPC, Mobile Internet Devices and Netbook platforms, get involved in Ultra Mobile conversation with other attendees and even get some training in the areas of software and hardware design.  Article continues…

Follow my Friendfeed for micro-updates and of course, UMPCPortal.com for news. The live page will be open and I’ll try and join in with the cam as often as I can.

M528 MID Price and Date.

You have no idea how long I’ve been waiting for this moment. A reseller with a real price on the Gigabyte M528. The pricing we had from Aigo in Taiwan was spot on because Expansys have just listed the M528 with 3G, GPS, 3mp cam for just 429 UK pounds (549 Euros in Germany.) Sounds expensive? Its not. This is a….well you’ve heard me talk about it before so I won’t give you the full ‘FIE’ talk now. Take a look at the product page for the full spec list and links to our hands-on reports. It’s available on the U.S. site for $689. (more after the pic…)