Lets not take this one too seriously and lets not get into the argument about what is and isn’t a UMPC but its interesting to see that since the launch of the Packard Bell Easynote, the top 5 UMPCs viewed on the portal are all devices that use the traditional laptop form factor.

Whatever we think about their categorization, I do think it represents how important the keyboard is to the bulk of the UMPC-aware public and I don’t think its going to change much soon.

For most consumers, the UMPC represents a device that replaces nothing. In other words its an additional purchase and there’s no-one around to tell them or show them that sofa-surfing, in car use, waiting room browsing, comfortable video playback and access to desktop apps on the go is a huge advantage and a lot of fun. Pricing will help in the future of course and lets hope that products like the iPod touch and the Eee PC stir the market a bit. There are already people saying that the Eee PC will push down UMPC prices. But what happens when potential customers do see the benefit or fun in the new usage scenarios? Are they going to go out and buy Q1s and Amtek T770’s? I don’t think so. These will remain niche devices for the high-end user. Its the lower priced, more dedicated end of the market that’s going to see the big sales numbers. The MID’s, consumer-focused 4-5″ sub-UMPCs and web-pads will form the bulk of sales and I think that just like the Internet became the Web for most consumers, the same thing will happen to UMPCs. Consumers don’t really need all the features of a UMPC. They will want (or will be marketed perhaps!) devices which focus on web functionality. Browsing, search, inline media, online navigation in a stylish package.

Of course I’m talking about a few years down the line here. We’ve got a while to go before the devices really make tracks in the consumer market. I wonder how the list will look in 12 months time…

I’ve just been watching the Apple special event coverage via Engadget and its interesting to see that they’ve just announced their second safari/touch-capable mobile device. The iPod Touch in 8Gb and 16Gb versions. In essence, its the iPhone without the phone, and the contract.Its got the same screen and what looks to be the same core software with the Cover Flow interface and a cut down set of app’s. Its even slightly thinner than the iPhone and shows that Apple are pursuing a strategy of iPhone-family devices.

Of course this device isn’t going to be your UMPC replacement. No way. There’s even a massive difference in capability between something like a MID and this iPod touch but the browser is there and if its the same browser as on the iPhone then the N800 has big competition in the consumer market now. For those that want an Internet companion that just works, the iPod Touch is going to be very attractive.

‘It is the best web browser on any mobile device, and it’s built in to the iPod touch’ said Steve Jobs. Availability is said to be ‘shipping in a couple of weeks’ That applies worldwide too so in most places outside America, the iPod touch is going to be arriving before the iPhone. At least it gives people a chance to test out the interface and browser before buying an iPhone (which, incidentally, has just been reduced in price by $200 which is going to seriously upset those who waited in line!)

Battery life is quoted as 5 hours video playback which is usually a sign that WiFi-on browsing is going to be something like 4 hours. Not bad for such a tiny device and on-par with the N800.

What’s missing from the iPod Touch?

By ‘missing’ I mean ‘missing in comparison to a UMPC.’ How about Bluetooth for a start. This is an important one. There won’t be any tethering possibility so mobile it isn’t. In my book its not a mobile device. Its a portable web browser that can only be used in WiFi hotspots. No bus, car, train browsing. Park, camping site etc etc.

If I go down my list of phone/umpc applications and the Ubuntu mobile application list there are a lot of other things missing too. Here are some of the things that you won’t find on your iPod Touch (to the best of my knowledge.) To be fair, I’ve ignored the features that you will probably find on your mobile phone (contacts, calendar, email client, camera)

• Simple photo editing
• Full format (800×480) screen
• Offline RSS reader
• Expansion through USB
• Video-out
• Speakers
• E-book reader
• Cut-and-paste ( I assume its the same problem as on the iPhone.)
• Wide range of third-party app’s
• Full desktop PC compatibility
• Navigation and mapping software
• Video conferencing (voip/video over IP)
• IM client
• Offline blogging/posting tool
• Office doc viewers
• Games
• Remote desktop client
• Audio recording capability (I’m not 100% sure about that one)
• Processing power (arguable point!)

BUT, this is a device that starts at $299 which is less than a Nokia N800 and half the price of the cheapest Raon Digital Everun UMPC and it comes with the most celebrated user interface, music library and music, video and photo player going. It also has access to the new iTunes WiFi stores and a lot of style thrown in for free. Would I buy one? Maybe. Just to play with and test out the browser because I haven’t even had hands-on with an iPhone yet (maybe soon here in Europe.) Would I use one? No way. It doesn’t add much more to what I’ve already got in my mobile phone and it doesn’t even scratch the surface of the list of things I’m doing with my Everun UMPC. In-car use, FIE, office applications, annotations via touch, multi-protocol audio, video and IM and all the fun you can have with the gazillions of Windows XP software packages that are out there. Why would I want a third device that hasn’t got a single unique feature for me?

Question to readers: Is it a sub-UMPC? Should I add it to the sub-UMPC list?

As I finish this post the Apple store has just come back online. The iPod Touch is shipping in the US by Sept 28th. On the German Apple Store the iPod Touch is showing for 299 Euro. Also shipping 28th Sept.

Thanks Kornel and JKKmobile for the heads-up on the iPhone Touch.

Via the Official Palm Blog, Gizmodo is reporting that the Foleo has been canceled. Ed Colligan, CEO says this in his latest post.

I have decided to cancel the Foleo mobile companion product in its current configuration and focus all of our energies on delivering out next generation platform and the first smartphones that will bring this platform to market.

I don’t think this is really going to affect a lot of the readers here but it would be interesting to see if the UMPC played any part in the Foleos downfall.

Move along please…

In an interesting PR move (“CCID Consulting … releases its article on Ultra-Mobile PCs.” Maybe I should make similar press releases three times a day!!) CCID have published their view on the current state of the UMPC market.

Frank over at Ultra Mobile PC Tips picked up on it today and I’ve just read through it. The two usual suspects are at the top of the list again (price and battery life) along with a mention about marketing channels and maturity.

Personally I think things are moving along at the right pace. Nothing more needs to be done in 2007 with the existing platforms (except maybe a few updates here and there) while we wait for Menlow, Mobile-ITX and AMD’s Griffin. 2006 was the year of market research. 2007 was the year of product  testing and 2008 will be the first time that we will see devices with dedicated UMPC-focused silicon and significant sales targets and marketing budgets. Intel are expecting to see up to 50 devices based on their UMPC platforms next year (compared to 6-10 in 2007) and I expect VIA and AMD are also looking for large numbers of design wins too. If all goes well we could be seeing a new UMPC device announced on average once per week in 2008 and I think that once that happens we could be in a better position to be able to evaluate the market.

The original press release with article details is available at SYS.com media.

We had seen this one as a Vye S37 a few weeks ago (Snave from the MyKohjinsha blog got some hands on) but JKKMobile is now reporing it as an official SH8 model from Kohjinsha. Its an 800Mhz version of the SH6.

The Kohjinsha SH8 product page is here and i’m expecting one from VyePC to test in the next few days. I don’t have any word on pricing or availability apart from the VyePC branded version which is available in the UK.

SH6 hands-on and video here.

via JKKMobile

With a 1.2Ghz VIA C7, 1GB of RAM a strong contrast 7″ 800×480 screen, 30GB drive, 4-in-1 card slot, 100MB LAN, 1.3MP webcam and DVI-out the new Easynote XS breaks through a new price point for ultra mobile PC’s. €599 is over 200 Euros cheaper than the cheapest UMPC in Europe (the R2H at around 805 Euros) and far far cheaper than any comparable mini notebook and with a quoted battery life of up to 4 hours (lets call that 3 hours shall we!) it actually beats the competition. The only comparable device with a similar form factor and battery life is the original Kohjinsha SA1 which is available through Expansys as the Data Evolution Cathena CX-7001. That would cost you 150 Euro more for the AMD Geode LX800 version which is far less powerful than the Easybook XS.

This PDF from Packard Bell in Germany gives the full specifications and price.

Negative points are the lack of touchscreen, the relatively (compared to UMPC’s) large volume and the so-so styling but for 600 Euros I think a lot of Europeans could have this near the top of their mobile-PC list.

Availability hasn’t been announced but it’s expected almost immediately. Full specifications, more images and links through the product page.

The Everex version of the Nanobook platform is expected in the US soon and for a similar price. I’d bet at something close to $650 depending of the module that’s included.

Update: VIA employee blog, ultramobilelife have some images and also confirm the price in this blog entry from Bjorn.