EB (formerly known as Elektrobit) have launched a UMPC hardware platform that is one of the first to be built around the Intel Menlow platform. The device will run Linux (presumably one of the distributions that comes out of the Intel MIDIA project) and will contain advanced communication hardware such as Mobile WiMax and HSDPA. GPS will also be thrown in. It has a 4.8″ ‘high resolution’ screen.

Menlow is the 2008 platform for UMPCs that will use a processor called Silverthorne and a chipset called Poulsbo. It will be the first silicon platform developed purely for the UMPC. It is said to enable UMPCs with sub 4W average drain which means much longer battery life! When compared to some of the Intel prototypes we’ve seen in the past, this appears more stylish (doesn’t surprise me coming from a Finnish company) and possibly the closest thing yet to my Carrypad concept. If anyone has a million or so dollars laying about that they’d like to invest, email me. I have a nice web-based marketing channel for it.

Info on the MIMD (Mobile Internet Media Device) is on the EB website.

Here’s another round of proof that VIA have sorted out their drivers for Vista. We’ve seen it running on the Medion and the Amtek T770  but until now I hadn’t seen it running well after Vista was installed as part of an upgrade. There’s an issue with the touchscreen drivers still to sort out but having seen everything working well on the Amtek T770, I’m sure that it won’t be a problem for long. The video and some supporting notes about the upgrade process can be found on the UltraMobileGeek blog.

A few seconds appears have been long enough to snap a few good pics and get some info from the product manager about this interesting budget mini-laptop from ASUS.

According to the Engadget gang in China, an English-language version of this could be available as early as August (2007?) and the price is real for the base model. $200 is the target for a baseline Linux version of the device. I’ll believe it when I see it.

Source.

Ubuntu are working with Gnome, Intel, Nokia, Maemo and others on something that’s badly needed – An optimised operating system for the new-gen of mobile devices. Think small-footprint, easy to use, finger-oriented, glossy, iPhone-beating, Internet-focused operating system. If you’re interested in running the project that could make this a reality, now is the time to send CV’s to Canonical/Ubuntu.

Ubuntu Project Manager, Mobile & Embedded
Job Summary: The primary objective of the role is to lead the development of a version of Ubuntu for ultra-mobile and embedded applications. The role involves technical management of a diverse team, client-facing responsibilities, and traditional project management to ensure timely delivery on commercial and community commitments.

Ubuntu Mobile Developer
Job Summary: Develop a mobile-oriented derivative of Ubuntu

More details here.

There is one key responsibility missing from the list though: Send test releases, pre-installed on the latest MID hardware, to Steve Paine, UMPCportal.

Christoph has just sent me this video. Its a live demo of a prototype device based on the Mobile-ITX motherboard.

There’s a good point made about battery life. Its not about the life, its about the battery drain. Thats why the OQO Model 02 is better on batteries than the Flipstart. In the video also you’ll hear VIA talking about getting 5 hours from a 24W/hr battery. Thats a 5W average drain. Very very good. There’s also clarification on what the C7-S is. Its a small, 9x11mm version of the C7-M. Nothing new capability-wise.

Remember this is just a demonstrator but it gives you an idea of how big/small devices based on a mobile-itx motherboard could be.

More mobile-itx news here (C7-S) and here (launch news)

…we think. Look at this hi-res image. The C7-S is embedded right onto the motherboard to the left of the single-chip north/southbridge. There’s no info about it yet and the VTF keynotes have finished so I doubt we’ll get much more news about it today.

So while its not a C8, it looks like it could be a re-engineered version of the C7. Its a little disappointing. I was expecting at least a Core-Fusion PC on-a-chip version but I guess this board solution could make low-cost, very small UMPCs a possibility.

Exclusive Hi-Res images of the board have just been posted at Epiacenter.com.

VIA have just announced the Mobile-ITX form-factor.

You imagine a 7″ UMPC screen? If you can imagine a motherboard  that’s a smidgen bigger than that, then you’re picturing the size of the new Mobile-ITX motherboard from VIA. This thing is tiny. 7.5cm x 4.5cm. About the size of a playing card! Its half the size of a Pico-ITX motherboard and contains ‘a very low power processor that operates as low as a quarter of a watt.’ Hold on Mr Brown. What exactly are you saying there? We all know that your current best operates at around 1 watt. Are you telling us that you’ve got a new processor on it? Its not a core fusion part. Is it a C8-M?

Update: Its a new CX700 single-chip solution. Based on C7-S we think. We’re looking into it…Some new info here.

The VTF Keynote speeches are on right now. I’m expecting big news within minutes.

Update: PCWorld reports that it is a C7 processor. “Brown didn’t specify which version the board will use, but said the chip consumes 0.25 watts of power or less when running. “And that’s not when the system is idling,” he said.” They also say it will “hit markets next year.”

Someone has put up a size-easy comparison.

Via BrownKnows.