I was reading a review of the Archos 704 WiFi today and that question came into my mind again. ‘Can an Uber-PMP perform the browsing functions of a UMPC?’ Could it even replace the UMPC? The answer is – not if its called ‘704 WiFi.’ and my feeling at the moment is, to be honest, not if its RISC based. In all fairness, the 704 is not marketed as a UMPC or a web browsing device, but the form factor of this new generation of PMPs (including the Cowon and Clearview) coupled with their specifications and high-aiming marketing makes them something that would be be considered if someone was looking for a consumer-level ultra mobile computing solution – or Mobile Internet Device should I say? Or Ultra Mobile Device should I say? [Intel, VIA – Stop it!]
This review of the 704 WiFi (via SlashGear) sums up the problem though. In reference to the browser…
My first major complaint is the speed. The browser takes quite a while to connect to an access point and actually start up. Going to most websites takes a while (roughly 15 seconds in most cases, depending on the site). Obviously, sites like Google loaded up fairly quickly, but going to other sites like Slashdot or Digg took a long, long time.
The nail in the coffin was the lack of flash support. Being able to view flash videos on the go would have been awesome, but there’s nothing to be seen here. Flash 7 support could have been possible, but even that wasn’t implemented.
Its not only the 704 that has this problem either, many of the Windows CE-based devices, even those with the very good Opera browser, have issues with either processing power, plug-in support or simply screen size. Client-side processing requirement for browsing are increasing at a pace, browser real-estate requirements are also going up and when you think about the number of plug-ins and add-ons that are being written for x86-based browsers you wonder if the RISC-based app’s are ever going to keep up. Even the browser-focused Nokia N800 isn’t up to scratch. Flash video overloads it and Ajax or JavaScript-rich pages either cant be rendered or grind the device to a halt. There really needs to be a step-change in the processing power of these low-end devices before the complete Internet experience is possible.
When I started thinking about UMPCs a year and a half ago, I focused on a consumer level device. It was the device that I needed and I defined it on paper and eventually called it the Carrypad. The following blog was called ‘Time for the Carrypad?’ [defined in Net-print here.] It was, effectively, a MID, a mobile Internet device, a low-end device with full browsing capabilities and a efficient software suite. Here’s the summary of the Carrypad concept. I got the screen aspect ratio wrong (it needs to be wide screen to get the keyboard to fit!) but the rest is pretty much what Intel define as a MID.
- 5-7″ 800×640 Touch Screen
- Detachable Mini Keyboard
- Wifi, BT2.0, SD slot, USB2.0
- 600mhz advanced processor
- 3 hour battery
- Min 10GB storage
- Reduced OS
- Price$600
I originally thought that a RISC/ARM architecture might have been good enough as an ‘advanced’ processor but in the last year I’ve seen a lot of new and demanding Internet applications. Glide, Google App’s, Speedtest, Picasso, Ustream, Blip.tv and I’ve seen where people will be going with their Internet experience. I think my Carrypad concept, while good enough for me a year and a half ago, might not be good enough for the 2008 market. The processor definitely needs to be x86.
Pepper had the right idea a few years back. They moved their software development onto the x86 architecture and now produce one of the most capable browser-focused internet devices on the market. The PepperPad 3 might not be MID sized but its got the MID heart and shows what can be done with low-power processing and tailored software. MIDs aren’t far away now and look like they will hit the Uber-PMP’s head on and if the MIDs combine the ease-of-use and portability of an Uber PMP with the style and pricing that’s required, the Archos 704, Cowon Q5 and Clearview will have some tough competition. x86 is where its at now.
As a result of all this focus on x86, I’m considering taking all the RISC-based devices out of the portal. Its a harsh move but I think its the right move for the future. If you’re looking for a mobile internet experience, I can’t honestly say that the E90, The N800, the HTC Advantage, the Sharp Em-One (I’ll miss you) or the Uber-PMPs are going to bring you complete Internet happiness. What do you think? RISC out, x86 in? If you’ve got reason to believe that the RISC browsers are going to pull through, let me know now because, for the interests of the UMPC-focused visitors here, I’m very close to pulling all the RISC/ARM devices out of the database. N800, that means you too. I’ll give it one more month and then, unless something comes along to prove me wrong, they’re OUT!
My N800 came back from the doctors last week with its new screen and the first thing I did was to upgrade the software to test out the improvements in OS2007. According to the publicity, the video playback was improved so I loaded up one of the Xvid files I have from my PVR. (1mbps) and sure enough it played as smooth as silk. Not only that, but it carried on playing for over 3 and a half hours!
