Posted on 31 August 2006
This is cool.
Currently XP Media Center doesn’t contain the features of XP Tablet Edition and Tablet Edition obviously doesn’t have the Media Center capabilities.
But when Vista comes, this will change.
Some versions of Windows Vista will include both Tablet PC and Media Center. [ref]
A touch-enabled mobile media center solution is not only going to be very cool, its also going to be pretty much unique amongst operating systems. Neither Apple or Linux can offer that level of out-of-the-box integration yet.
This guy, Stephan Torres, thinks the media center idea is cool too. He’s taken a Founder Mininote (AKA Tablet Kiosk 7200 series) put Vista beta on it and then installed it in his car dashboard. Way to go Stephan.
He’s also had the privilege of having owned a Mininote for 4 months and his comments are positive. He’s happy with the build quality and the power of the device and has a few words to say about other UMPC’s too.
Interesting points about the Sony there.
On the negative side, Stephan mentions the static webcam ( I agree, a rotating cam would be a lot better.) the poor speaker volume and lack of cellular data capability.
More pics and translated French over here.
Steve /Chippy.
Posted on 30 August 2006
Update: Ripberger left a comment to correct me on the names of the devices. The Pepperpad Plus was the original name of the pepperpad 3. The current Pepperpad is known only as ‘Pepperpad.’ Thanks Ripberger.
Pepperpad have just sent out an email covering pretty much what we said in a previous post. That’s 2 Pepperpads for $1000 then!
The original Pepperpad Plus Linux-based web tablet device is being cleared out for under $500 (was over $800) on both Amazon.com and e-cost.com to make way for the new Pepperpad 3 device.
Not only that, but the $500 Pepperpad plus is worth another $200 if you’re interested in getting the Pepperpad 3. Just order the Pepperpad 3 and order the Pepperpad 3 before the end of Sept and you’ll qualify for a $200 discount bringing it down to $500. That’s a 30% discount when you take Pepperpad up on the two offers. (Hint: Convince a friend that he needs a Pepperpad Plus and then use the serial number to buy the new Pepperpad 3!)
The new Pepperpad will be shipping, with a 7″ screen and an AMD LX800 processor, at the end of Sept. Check out our data sheets on the Pepperpad Plus and Pepperpad 3 for more information, images and links.
Personally I don’t think Pepperpad do the Pepperpad 3 device justice in the promotional material. With its x86 architecture processor, there are absolutely thousands of programs out there waiting to be ported over and if the existing Pepperpad community is anything to go by, it won’t be long before these devices will be doing more than they were ever designed to do. OpenOffice, Mplayer, Mythtv, TheGimp and Amarok would be the first packages I’d have a go at porting if I had a chance. Followed closely by handwriting recognition software, navigation software and then Windows XP. The only problem is, there’s no distribution deal for Europe yet. We hear that they’re working on it.
Let me know, readers, if you’ve ordered one in the U.S. There’s a space on Carrypad reserved for your unboxing images and a whole post reserved for the first person that gets XP running on it!
Original email text here
Steve / Chippy.
tags: pepperpad, umpc
Posted on 30 August 2006
A quick scan through the Carrypad ultra mobile PC links page shows me I’ve got some updating to do.
Of the 38 sites listed, no less than 10 seem to be stuck in the water. That is they’ve had no updates for a month or more.
Not only that but 3 of them seem to be ‘made for google’ now and have no real content on them at all. This is in addition to the 10 or so more that I’ve found that I never bothered to add to the link list becuase they add no value at all.
Unfortunately, UMPCorigami.com seems to have been hacked and its shut its doors for the time being. I hope they get back on their feet soon.
Now I know that news has been thin on the ground (especially good news!) and that many of these sites are run on a part time basis but I have to say, ‘Come on. You’re needed.’ Really. With full-time tech journalists knocking the device all over the place it needs a strong community of supporters to counter these clumsy goliaths. There are customers out there that will probably end up with 3.2Ghz and 5kilo’s of laptop just to run Internet Explorer if we don’t help them!
On the positive side, UMPCity has moved focus and looks to be very healthy and running as MicroPCTalk. The ultra mobile PC definition is very hard to stick to. I understand! Good luck to MicroPCtalk.
The only other new site that I can think of is the TabletWiki.
Also added to the list are the established (but missed last time!) sites below.
If you know of any new sites that need adding to the list, let me know. (list at carrypad.com)
The updated and re-organised list is available here.
Steve / Chippy
tags: umpc, websites
Posted on 30 August 2006
OK, perhaps ‘pulled’ is the wrong word. Lets just say they’re not re-stocking any more.
JKonTheRun noticed yesterday that the UX180P had disappeared from the Sony Style website and when I checked it today, it still wasn’t there.
Over at MicroPCTalk however, they’ve had confirmation that it really has been pulled phased out.
we got word directly from Sony USA that they are currently out of inventory for the Vaio UX180P. A new “refreshed model inch will be posted in SonyStyle on September 19.
I wonder if the cellular deal didn’t work out? Perhaps one of the basic models with compact flash slot is on its way over. No-one actually knows right now.
via MicroPCTalk who, incidentally have changed name from UMPCity.com. Re-set your RSS feeds and bookmarks.
Steve / Chippy
tags: sony, ux, umpc
Posted on 30 August 2006
The almost-too-good-to-be-true Vega ultra portable PC now has a price.
[img]https://www.umpcportal.com/uploads/img44f5d94630d50.jpg[/img]
On the Raon Digital website [url=http://www.raondigital.com/shopping/k_shopping.asp]here,[/url] the price is clearly shown.
256MB $710
512MB $750
No-one has actaully seen a good test of these yet but [url=http://www.akihabaranews.com/en/news-12325-Vega+the+UPPC+reviewed+by+Suze.html]Akihabara[/url] (again!) are reporting that threre’s a report due soon from ‘Suze.’ so keep an eye on Akihabara.
via [url=https://www.umpcportal.com/journal/2006/08/vega-uppcumpc-review-and-pricing.html]Carrypad[/url] Read the full story
Posted on 30 August 2006
[img]https://www.umpcportal.com/uploads/img44f5d6fec5c2a.jpg[/img]
It looks like Sony has launched a UX50 with a 1-seg digital TV receiver in Asia known as the UX70. [url=http://www.akihabaranews.com/en/news-12336-VAIO+UX70+1Seg+powered.html]Akihabara[/url] has a very brief news item here on the topic. Read the full story
Posted on 30 August 2006
The Averatec AHI, first seen through a PDAFrance back in April and pencilled-in for a Sept launch has been delayed.
[img]https://www.umpcportal.com/uploads/img44f5d572cb4bd.jpg[/img]
Latest information is that it has been re-planned for an early 2007 launch.
The Averatec was rumored to have an Origami-like spec but raised eyebrows (and some hopes) when it was shown with a slide-out keyboard.
We assume that the race to get the Christmas market production run complete was too much of a tall order and thus it has been put on hold until the next round of announcements, probably a month or two before CES or CeBit.
[url=https://www.umpcportal.com/products/product.php?id=20]Specs at Carrypad.[/url] Read the full story
Posted on 30 August 2006
[update: Before you contact me Tegatech (Hugo), I know! I’ve just seen the TabletKiosk 7200 series on your website. You deserve a link for my oversight and another link for offering the base model for AUS$1899. Hugo one of the principles of Techagate who runs a good blog also deserves a link. I promise I’ll pay more attention to the Oz market in the future.]
Pioneer Computers in Australia are now offering the DreamBook ultra mobile PC H700 in their ultra mobile PC portfolio alongside the DreamBook ultra mobile PC 700.
If you think it looks familiar then you’re right. Its based on the Founder mininote which is appearing in U.S. and Europe as the TabletKiosk i7200 series.
Its available in with a choice of processors; The Celeron version and the Pentium-M version and has the big advantage of a docking station included into the package. Other features included a 1.3mp cam, SD/MMC slot, TV-out and the usual Wifi/BT connectivity.
The device should be available now starting at AU$1999 including tax.
I’ve ordered the Pentium-M version of this (Tablet Kiosk branded) so watch out for some reviews soon. In the meantime, pop over to the Pioneer website or to our product database for in for info on both versions.
Steve / Chippy.
tags: pioneer, dreambook, UMPC
