…plus more nice products!

It looks like Arima have dropped Stealey into the ULV650 (or is it the UM650 as is now listed on the Arima website?) There’s a keyboard change too.  I was talking to someone earlier who mentioned that the footprint of the Intel platform is now pretty much the same as the VIA platform. I wonder if this is a strategic move by Intel? Ideally VIA would join the MIDIA and encourage Ubuntu and RedFlag to support the VIA architecture. Perhaps we can encourage epIOS to join too. They already do a lot of work with VIA on Linux distributions.

In the other images you’ll see the Algo UMPC, the Menlow-based prototype and a strange looking prototype with a dial.

CNet images.

More news from the UMPC ecosystem.

SiRF have announced that they are partnering with Intel to supply the GPS modules in the Intel-based UMPCs, both in the Windows and Linux versions.

“Location-based services provide consumers with a host of new usage scenarios on MID and UMPC platforms,” said Rob DeLine, Director of Marketing for Intel’s Ultra Mobility Group. “The SiRFstarIII technology combined with Intel silicon solutions will enable innovative, location-aware platforms.”

Press release. Via Sys-Con

Want to see an x86-based fully functional Menlow-based UMPC in action?

“Runs on cellphone batteries”

“about 3/4 inch think”

“45nm CPU.”

“one of two in the world”

To think that this contains a fully specified PC is just amazing. This, unfortunately, is 2008 tech but it really shows that Intel are not messing around.

Original source: Textura Design who are consultants to Intel.

I’m getting to like this term ‘ecosystem’ aren’t I!!

MobiTV appeared to have made an announcement that they’re working with Intel to bring MobiTV services to UMPCs and MIDs.

“MobiTV and Intel will work with the OEMs to deliver a true out-of-the-box television experience.”

I really hope that MS and Intel don’t squabble over partners and that everyone interworks. That last thing we want is a Microsoft V’s Intel ecosystem challenge.

Via PRNewswire.

According to a press release today (why can’t they wait until I’ve had some sleep?) SoonR, a browser/html-based remote desktop application, will launch for the UMPC.

I have never heard about SoonR before but it seems to be a consumer oriented product aimed at getting the most out of remote desktop processing over wireless networks. I’ve used Microsoft’s remote desktop protocol a number of times from a UMPC and the results have been good but SoonR seems to take it a step further to make it useable on small screens and over common networking protocols. (No fear of port 80 and 443 being blocked.) From the press release:

The SoonR service links mobile phones and remote computers to applications and data on any Internet connected computer. People can remotely access SoonR Desktop to search and access documents and images, SoonR Organizer for email, scheduling and contacts and SoonR Talk for mobile VoIP. SoonR integrates with Google Desktop Search, Yahoo! Desktop Search, X1, Spotlight, MSN Desktop Search, Outlook Office 2007 and Skype. PC-based data is automatically formatted for any mobile device and without any SoonR software on the handset. SoonR is built on a secure and extensible, open standards based application platform and works across carriers and handset operating systems including Symbian, Microsoft Mobile 5, Blackberry, Palm and others. The basic SoonR service is free.

I’m not sure how this would sit with something like Yahoo Go for UMPCs or Glide but it seems to be one of the few screen-optimised solutions for accessing home data so it could be worth a test. Apparently, it will even remote stream Skype calls from your home PC so if you’re short of a bit of local processing power or blocked from using Skype by your provider, this could be the answer. My only question is, if its browser based, why would you need a UMPC optimised version of it?

SoonR website is here.

Intel reported this at CeBIT in March. Pocketables have picked up a story from DigiTimes which confirms and details the news. Samsung have developed two very bright and very efficient screens for the UMPC market.

This is fantastic news, not only because its better tech but because it also signals that other manufacturers in the ‘ecosystem’ are behind the UMPC and working with other partners to create UMPC specific products. Its another sign that manufacturers believe in the future of UMPCs and are prepared to put R&D funds into it.

350nits is damn good. Over 15% brighter than the advanced Q1 Ultra and over 30% brighter than most 2006-spec UMPCs. Expect these to appear in devices later this year or possibly early in 2008.

This is a working prototype of a UMPC that could be launched in 2008. It doesn’t look very different to your average pocket PC or smartphone does it. Handheld. Pocketable. Keyboard. However, underneath its a completely different story. A story that could have a huge impact on the handheld and smartphone market.

Working Intel Menlow prototype developed with Compal.

Images from Golem.de

This is a UMPC and its not using a reduced instruction set CPU or running with a reduced operating system. It runs a very advanced x86 processor, a powerful and advanced desktop GPU and a full desktop operating system. THIS is the reason that Intel sold-off their XScale products and focused on driving up the efficiency of x86 components.

Could this signal the end for the Windows Mobile OS? Should MS be thinking about bringing in Vista Mobile? Could this be the ultimate no-compromise convergence device? Is anyone getting interested in UMPCs now?

Today is a great day for mobile computing. Stay with me and watch the story develop on UMPCportal.com

Steve / Chippy

Here’s an image from Golem.de with additonal mark-up by me.

Questions – Why are they showing the R2H? Is that a version of the Arima (Medion, Gigabyte U60) in there with a different keyboard?   What’s the one second from right? Looks like one from this CeBIT report.

 
Click to enlarge. Original image at Golem.de