Neowin.net

Well, I am guessing that the market for this is those tablet users that want a smaller device.

Because there sure isn't much of in interest among PDA users for a bigger device.

I think it's pretty much just the evolution of things. Portable Media Centers weren't the hit that MS thought, so they came up with this, just like the failure of the Mira project lead to the evolution of tablet PC's. I'd buy this.

Sounds like flamebait to me.

if apple comes up with something like it then apple will have invented it right? so lame.

that was your own words, right? so lame.

Actually, Apple had their own PDA several years ago, called the Newton. It was on store shelves three years before the first Palm Pilot hit.

Most people call it reading - See here

"In truth, this category has existed for some time but not with any real focus by Microsoft or Intel."

Multiple versions for multiple looks. Nothing wrong with that + if muliple companies make it you'll see price wars which is good for the consumer. Better than just one companies in complete control over a popular project line - like some corporate pigs we all know.

Later editions (think Christmas this year) will be running Vista obviously....

You're trying to squeeze this device in an existing category.

This sort of thing will be awesome for things that laptops would be very good at, but are generally too bulky for. Things that cell phones and PDAs are just too damn small for. I mean seriously, right now there is a plethora of tiny devices with small screens and big devices with huge screens, with nothing in the middle.

Imagine the kind of things a PC could do if you could mount one on your car's dash. Combine it with GPS and real nav software, traffic information, your calendaring software, a blue-tooth cell phone and headset.

Hell, I want one of these things just for vacations. Load up a couple of movies, music, some simple games, and my plane flight will be bearable. During my vacation I can then use it to store photos from my digital camera and actually be able to show them to people on a decent sized screen. I can have actual readable maps on the thing.

Can I do these things with a PDA? Mostly, but the experience sucks. Can I do this with a laptop? Mostly, but it is bulky and I have to use when a flat surface is available.

Very good points mprobins.

I'd like one for on the go during my normal weekday. In meetings and in the coffee shop. I really like the idea of taking it on vacation with me too. No more lugging arounf the laptop! Wihoo!

When you are talking about apple, i hope you arnt talkign about that stupid mac that they, where the screen and the rest of it the computer are in one, if you think that is orginal then you are a complete idiot. Its a ****ing laptop with the screen turned around on a stand, how could you not realize it, they didnt come up with anything new.

Diabulos - Nice trolling. First of all looks are in the eye of the beholder friend. Secondly, you are missing the whole point of the device...its not a PDA/PocketPC or a Phone or Laptop.

Speaking of an ugly design since you've expressed your idea of what one is: just look at the latest and greatest "innovation" from apple - that ugly brick speaker! LOL! Yes, they are truly reinvented the home stereo! ROFL!

Well, my understanding of these devices is that MS is creating the software to drive them not the hardware to run them. So if you have issue with looks I suggest you gripe to those vendors.

I only used apple as an example in relation to the Ipod and the nano, which I think are great designs and prove my point that you can do small with great form factor, great usability and battery life. I did not extend to their other offerings (and I do think that boom box i ugly as hell).

My questioning of what exactly it is has some logic. With such a myriad of formats out there, I think MS keeps fragmenting their brand, too many offerings, none of them exceptional, overall brand image; weak (same with the several versions of vista)

Why does everyone here thinks that if anyone talks about 'looks' they are either brainless or Apple lovers (I know I did mention Apple, still) form is as important in devices of this kind as performance, the device has to fit into a lifestyle, now more than ever. Look at the successful MP3 players, they tend to be generally the ones that have a good form(look)/features ratio.

To the point about MS making only the software, they have a look (vista and its glass, etc, XP and Luna) that should be able to translate into hardware (their keyboard and mice seem to have a cohesive and quite elegant look) why not here?

I still stand by my judgement that the form factor is just another pebble in the already fragmented offering, it will compete with the PPC and the Tablet form and maybe touch on the windows mobile for phones area, overall, what is it? why that and not a tablet? or just a smaller tablet. The format running CE was tried before (with full keyboard a la clam shell form) and quietly disappear, why would it work now?

So there you are, I may be a 'complete idiot' to some (although how the imac got into the conversation baffles me) but I still say; interesting idea, bad design, weak branding in an already over-fragmented market space

The only people complaining about it's looks are apple trolls. They think if apple created it, it must be the best, perfect and the first. As we all know that hasn't been the case for apple for the past 20 years!

MS is not designing it, there's no need to get rabid about people complaints.

i think if there were some modifications to the design this would make a nice form factor for using video chat , which would fill the role of video phones

raid517 meet the OQO.
OQO, meet raid517.

Now get a room.

http://www.oqo.com/

This isn't part of the UMPC platform.

GJ

.... no, and?

Oh wait, you actually want something that is *SPECIFICALLY* UMPC? Uh.. yeah, sure. You do that.

must everyone complain about everything.
first.... this is a real cool idea... almost Star Trek like.... ever notice that everything seems to be like 'Star Trek'.
second..... I dont see you designing mobile PCs....
third.... ever see a first generation iPod? ... pretty heavy and ugly.... i have a 4G iPod which is still quite heavy compared to todays standards....

give things time..... usually the first attempt isnt the best....

Well it will take a new generation of chipsets from Intel before that happens - as, as far as I understand it the UMPC is an extablished Intel form factor at the moment.

Size and portability are important - and even in Star Trek the devices they use are considerably smaller.

It definately does have a very 'first generation' look about it - like something you will look back on in ten years time and smirk about how old fashioned it looks.

Cut the size in half and make it do more stuff, then you will be rocking.

GJ

raid517

they plan to cut the size in future generations

but frankly, i dont want something smaller, i just want a small, cheap, high battery life, tablet. i also dont want to be running full windows programs on a very tiny screen. which is why i also dont complain about the relatively low resolution, because i dont want things looking tiny (if the OS can scale things like in Vista thats fine).

It's still too big. Half that size would still give you a decent sized screen. Half the size and I might be a buyer.

GJ

It can't do everything laptops can do. It can do maybe half a dozen or so specific things. Which is why laptops are and will remain a lot more popular.

GJ