Finally, 7-months after getting one of the first fingers-on reports I have a Samsung Q1 Ultra in my hands. I tried and tried to get one through Samsung but they are such a bunch of ditherers that it never happened. I decided to buy one instead.

Now I can do the Q1 three-device line-up, the comparison with the Vye S37 (another 800Mhz Stealey-based system) and see if I can get that split-keyboard thumb typing rate up to something useful. I also want to see if I can drop an HSDPA module in, upgrade the RAM, test navigation software, test out the latest Ubuntu Mobile build and ultimately to see if I’m right about it being my #1 choice if I could only buy one UMPC.  There’s already a stack of reviews on the net but I want to give it a full review and if you want me to do anything specific, please let me know in this forum thread where I’ll be journaling my thoughts.

The model I’ve got is the Q1UF000/SUK (UK Version of the Q1 U V) with Vista Home Premium.

Over at Carrypad, you’ll find a hands-on video of the Novatel Ovation HSUPA (7.2/2.1mbps) USB Modem. Its an impressive bit of kit.

This should interest anyone wanting to retro fit a notebook or UMPC with fast, mobile Internet connectivity without having to go for the built-in option. Assuming you have HSDPA coverage that is! For those with multiple devices its perfect. It will also serve well as a back-up Internet connection for a small business. Its available now at Mobilx.hu

This is the Novatel Ovation HSUPA Modem (supplied by Mobilx) that’s being called the worlds smallest HSUPA-capable USB modem. Its small, that’s for sure. Its fast too! More images in the gallery.  Tech Specs: Tri-band HSUPA/HSDPA – 850/1900/2100 MHz Quad-band EDGE/GPRS – 850/900/1800/1900 MHz Supports 7.2 Mbps Downlink; 384 kbps upload speed at launch Firmware upgrade available for HSUPA, providing 2.1 Mbps uplink speeds 70 x 25 x 12 mm 37g This has to be the simplest and fastest modem I’ve ever installed. All the software is contained in flash […]

The Mtube is an Internet media player. Not that impressive when you take a first look but when you learn that its built using a PC motherboard it gets a little more interesting. Its running a VIA C7 processor at 1Ghz. Unfortunately the video doesn’t show the device running but you get a good feel for the amazingly small size of it. Who needs Firefox Mobile when you can just run desktop Firefox? Original article at UltraMobileLife. Technorati tags: mobile internet, mid, umpc, via View details of all Ultra Mobile […]

It looks like Mobile01 got some quality time with the HTC Shift but the translation to English is just too hard to decipher. If anyone can understand the original and tell me what they are saying about 1152 x 864 mode, let me know! There are some nice images to look at though.

The image on the right is showing 1152 x 864 mode and it looks good to me. Of course its hard to tell on a photo.

Mobile01 HTC Shift hands-on. Via Passionemobile.

More HTC Shift info, links, specifications.

Jenn, of Pocketables has had a Sony UX for a while. She’s also owns an N800, Archos 605 and an HTC Advantage. Oh, and an iPhone too. You’d think that amongst that lot she would have found the best of every handheld device but no, she’s had an OQO Model 02 to test and she wants to keep it.  There’s just no pleasing some people!

I’m not surprised though. Its an impressive package.

“Fashioned largely out of rugged magnesium alloy and glossy black plastic, the Model 02 is really quite beautiful and classy (a nice improvement over its 01+ predecessor).”

Jenn gives it a good typing test and adds to her very useful comparison table of relative typing speeds for devices. It comes out at 51% of normal typing speed which I’m a little surpised at. I thought it might be a little faster but it could be a matter of practice. (I’m at 50% typing speed with the Everun now, up from 46%, and I know that the OQO keyboard is better than the one on the Everun.)

What I don’t like about the device, despite it being one of the most efficient UMPCs there is) is the 2 hours real-use battery life. [Note: I have heard other reports say that 2.5hours real-use life is possible.] OQO chose to include a very small standard battery and the extended battery costs nearly $200 taking its already high price up even further.

Despite that, its up there as one of the best UMPCs there is and if an HSDPA-capable version ever came to Europe I would seriously consider it.

Jenn’s OQO Model 02 review.

More OQO reviews and links.

I had almost forgotten about this. IDF Taipei is starting. The Ultra Mobility group are there again and Gedi Singer is giving the Ultra Mobile keynote at 11:25 Taipei time.

I’m not expecting too much new news but the Amtek U560 could launch. Its a Taiwan product and due very soon. (Amtek U560 product page here.)

Keep an eye on the content guide here because you’ll find PDFs after they’ve been presented.