No, its not a typo and yes, I was moaning like a baby yesterday about the fact that OQO had blocked some EU addresses from accessing the OQO website. Maybe someone heard me because I’ve just received an invite to the launch of the OQO Model e2 – The worlds smallest Vista PC – from the official UK distributor, Portix (an Expansys company.) The e2 launches on the 17th September. (The same day as the VyePC will be available in the US.)

I’m not actually too sure what’s going on here because the Vista based OQO Model 2 (not 02) is already listed as available and in-stock through Expansys. Maybe this is one of those PR cuddles that happens from time to time but maybe there’s going to be an announcement of the new 1.6Ghz models, the bigger disk drives and the lower entry point that was announced by OQO themselves. That would be nice. Especially with champagne! I assume that if Expansys carry it in the UK, it will be available EU-wide through their existing distribution network. Maybe its just a PR move to shake off the term ’02’ because it has been reported that the UK mobile phone company 02 had threatened some legal action on the use of the 02 term which, if its true is the most ridiculous case of playground-style ‘I got it first’ business bickering that I’ve ever heard.

Thanks, Expansys, for the invite. I’d love to be there if only to meet you guys and find out what’s driving your UMPC passion. Unfortunately I doubt I’ll be able to make it over. Don’t forget to send me the press pack and fee canapes!

OQO Model e2 specs will go up in the database when I get them.

The e2 appears to be a new model number for the existing OQO Model 02 range but includes the new 1.6Ghz processor and 80/120GB HDD/32GB SSD. Details available on the Portix website. Have also added base model to the database. Thanks Scoobie.

As OQO seem to have blocked Europe out of their website (via a redirection page saying that models are available through resellers) it’s difficult  for me to confirm these details but according to JKKMobile (who’s having the same problem getting into QOQ’s website) and a press-release he’s just forwarded to me, OQO  have launched a 1.6Ghz version of their Model 02. 100Mhz  isn’t anything to really write home about but OQO have also increased the base capacity of the HDD and introduced a 120GB option. There’s also an 32GB SSD option available. That’s a nice package of improvements to an already popular device.

The nicest part of the story is that the base model is reduced to $1299. I would bring you the prices for the bigger HDD and SSD options but as I said, OQO don’t want Europeans to see their store. Maybe they think people are happy to still pay the equivalent of $1800 for the base model over here In Europe!

I’ll keep an eye out for the prices and update this post when I get them.

Kaz is working hard to get more info on the HTC Shift and managed to score an interview with Kevin Chen of HTC. Kevin is the GM for HTC Middle East.

Its a very interesting interview and I’m not going to give anything away here because Kaz has obviously been working hard on the Shift news. If you have any interest in the Shift, the WM6 component, the Qualcomm issue, voice capability, SSD and availability (looks like Europe, UAE will be first,) click through to the Kaz911 blog.

Well done Kaz911.

VyePC are a UK company that are using the same mobile notebook device platforms as Kohjinsha (made by Inventec I think.) They already sell the S18, AMD-Geode based models and in about a weeks time, they will be launching the S37, an Intel A110 (800Mhz) version with US keyboard, touchscreen and Windows Vista Home Premium. With a 120GB drive, 1GB (user-upgradeable) RAM and an excellent keyboard and honestly, a class-leading screen. This could make a better alternative to the HTC Shift based on some of the specifications that came out in the last 24 hours.

The device has already been advertised through some UK resellers as a 600Mhz version but it looks like it will be an 800Mhz device when it becomes available. Vye have a US operation and will be bringing the S37 stateside for $1350. Availability is shown as 17th Sept on the U.S website.

If you look at the S37 microsite you’ll also see something quite interesting. A 3G module inserted into the CF slot. This is a component that a lot of people might be interested in. Its not as convenient as an internal module but if you’ve got a couple of PCs with CF or PCMCIA slots, this little extra might be worth a purchase.

Snave of the MyKohjinsha blog got some hands on recently and if all goes well I should take delivery of one on Monday or Tuesday next week for some further testing. I already know from my SH6 testing that the screen is just the best there is (outdoor readable, 1024×600, wonderful contrast and color) with the huge hard drive and 2GB RAM possibility I’m thinking that a lot of possible HTC Shift customers will be wooed by it. Battery life is up to 5 hours but bear in mind that it uses the extended battery as standard.

In the UK, dabs are listing it for 800 pounds (600Mhz version) and also list a VyePC backpack. No image unfortunately.

Further links and info available on the UMPCPortal product page.

My Kohjinsha SH6 mini-review with video.

Full VyePC specification sheet is also available. (PDF)

VyePC have an S37 mini website available and the S37 is also listed in their global website.

VyeUSA website.

Credit: I think it was Rodfather that put me on to the Vyeusa site. Thanks!

As you can guess from the title of this post, the N800 arrived. I have had it for the last 3 weeks, and am quite impressed with some of its features.

First, the out of the box experience. Taking the N800 out, turning it on and going through the 3 setup wizards was a breeze. It literally took me 2 minutes to configure language, time, region, and set up a Bluetooth connection to my phone along with all the necessary settings to use the phone as a modem. And that was it. Compare that to a Windows UMPC where it would take at least an hour.

The Interface is easy and its obvious that it was designed from the ground-up to be used with a touchscreen. Its fast and there’s no lag or problem with multi-tasking. I installed a 2GB SD in the internal slot and keep a MicroSD adapter in the external one so I can easily put my phones card into it to view the photos I took on a large screen.

Its a great device and I finally I finally see what instant-on is all about. I have been out in the city, and realized I forgot the address of a shop I needed to go to. Pulled the N800 out, connected to the Internet over BT, and got the address. Couldn’t have been easier and more comfortable. Perhaps with the iPhone – but I don’t have one… yet.

Overall, it’s a great device for Internet browsing. It’s not the FIE, but it’s the closest I have seen any ARM-based device get to it. That’s mostly because of the strong community Maemo has and the fact that it supports Flash (yes it plays YouTube natively!). Good work Nokia.

I also made a video that I posted to blip.tv . The two links I refer to at the end are the N800 Product page, and the N800 links page. Keep in mind its my first video ever :-) and enjoy.

Click To Play

Kaz911 has been doing a great job tracking down HTC Shift info. He’s just posted the full and ‘official’ (I don’t know where he got them form though) specs.

Most of the info appears to be as expected except one, rather important detail. The battery life.

Windows Vista operating time: Up to 2 hours

Am I right in saying that this is really no good for anyone? Something is wrong. How can a Q1 Ultra turn in 3 hours and yet the HTC Shift a supposedly second-generation device, offer the same battery life of the worst of the first UMPC devices.

With an 800×480 screen, a cut-down WM6 option and the 2-hour battery life, I feel rather happy that I bought a Kohjinsha SH6 but I’m holding out for more info in the hope that HTC haven’t just killed a great design with bad specifications.

One redeeming feature perhaps: SnapVUE standby time (push e-mail enabled) Up to 53 hours

Charbax is THE man when it comes to taking videos of new products at expo’s. This time he’s found a ‘UMPC’ based on WinCE 5.0 and it looks remarkably similar to a Nokia N800. Right down to the stand. Is this the copy we saw images of a while back? I can’t find a link to it at the moment.

Its a flash-based (8GB) device with 2 USB ports, 2 cameras, an SD slot, WiFI, GPS,  and a price (lets assume trade here) of 200 Euros ($250) which would translate to a street price of under $400. Similar to the N800 in fact! Mass production is planned for end of Sept.

Now for the bad news. Screen resolution: 480*272. And more bad news: Processor is an ARM 400Mhz. Which, to be fair, is probably enough for Windows CE but certainly not enough to drive media and advanced Internet usage.

If you’re interested, there’s more info over at the Pengfa Electronics website and the video is at Metacafe.

I haven’t a actually heard anything about an official launch yet but HTC and the Shift are certainly present at Gitex in Dubai.

Kaz of Kaz911, the blog that brought us a recent hands-on, has spent some more time with the Shift and is reporting that the WM6 component only has Mail and Calendar. It sounds like a very cut-down version indeed and I really wonder why the WM6 component is in there. Maybe, as someone suggested to me last week, it was cheaper to drop the internals of an HTC smartphone into the Shift rather than designing the HSDPA into the McCaslin platform. I don’t understand why WM6 has been cut down though. Cheap license? In fact I find it quite amazing that you might not even be able to type a note. How about loading third party software?

Check the Kaz911 blog entry for more images and the chance to fire off a few questions. As for the official launch, I’m not really expecting anything in the next 24 hours. Maybe on Monday though.

HTC Shift specifications and links.