Is this that new ultracompact Tablet PC?

Could this be that new mini Tablet PC we were talking about yesterday? We won't know until we know, but apparently someone was showing off a prototype for a new ultracompact handheld PC codenamed "Ruby" at IDF Japan 2005 that runs on Windows XP Tablet PC Edition and comes with a built-in QWERTY keyboard and sports a low voltage Pentium M processor. The people at OQO better watch their backs, because someone out there is coming after them.

[Thanks, Sammy]

[Luis Camino @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM]

notice what it looks like some sliders in the top right corner of they keypad, maybe for scrolling, neat.

[sunz @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM]

Or the worlds biggest PDA!!

[JOE LILLIG @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM]

This looks like what the rocket ebook should have been! To tell you the truth I want a Ebook Reader that looks like the device they use on Star Trek NG to reed reports. This is the closest thing to that. The fact that it will do that and more is great.

Palmone should try coming out with a similar device they could probably make a huge positive difference!

[ragnar @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM]

No touch screen? Are these guys serious? How on earth are you supposed to use that?

[seaotter @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM]

#2, i think the pen on the table is the digitizer, which makes it touch screen capable?

actually this i dont mind trading in with my PDA. as #1 said, the biggest PDA there, but this pda runs full version of Word, wint a portrait mode even.

i'll wait and see what will this tech evolve to. Maybe the realm of PADD ( trekkies u'll get it) is here?

[janeiro @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM]

ahaha! in that configuration the taskbar becomes even more useless then it already is. good luck trying to find your running apps with that set up. ;)

[TheZodiac @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM]

That this is miraculously fugly! I think thats why I love it.

[Brian @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM]

How 'bout a Mac version or "iBook Mini" that would equal the power of an iBook: A Newton 2 & Video iPod all rolled into one running a customized GUI on top of Tiger (using Inkwell for HWR of course, ditch the integrated QWERTY keyboard).

- Bluetooth & Airport Extreme
- Quicktime 7 H.264 for use as a killer PVP/Video iPod
- Add movies to the iTMS and an EyeTV breakout box for recording TV shows
- A mini-iSight module for handheld iChat AV video conferencing & as a DV convergence recording device, again using H.264 for video blogging & home movies, etc (can you say Google Video Upload?)

If it's technically feasible to fit this into a similar form factor as this new "Mini Tablet" and have decent battery life similar to an iBook, I for one would be interested in such a device. It would blow Microsoft's mini-tablet out of the water in addition to meeting the demands of those who would kill for a Newton 2 or Video iPod.

[Jeff @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM]

Hey! It's an updated Newton! I can finally retire my mp120!

[csipod @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM]

Finally! It's Newton sized. Which, as far as the screen goes, I believe is the perfect PDA size. It was the rest of the thing that was too bulky.

Now, just get rid of that keypad and slap Mac OS X on it and I'll buy 2!

[Andy @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM]

Good that these guys are pushing the envelope on size. This is a better implementation that the oqo device. But battery life will still be an issue. 3 more years before these become an early adopter device, but its pretty clear that a SMALL form factor device with an integrated screen will be big in the future.

[fnj @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM]

Nerd alert! This one has got to be worth a couple of power wedgies! No way I'd be seen on the street with that one!

[Brian @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM]

Don't know how to feel about this one. I would much prefer a tiny device that used an alternate display method, like perhaps a tiny projector. Where is the advantage here? A giant screen that's actually rather small. This thing is the worst PDA I have ever seen, and it is the worst laptop I have ever seen. It's like taking a step backwards. This is not the direction portability should be heading, not in any way.

[SlackerDX @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM]

It's stuck in the middle if you ask me. It looks like it's the size of a graphing calculator and when people look at it, that's what they will say. If it's supposed to be a tablet, why bother with the keyboard? If it's supposed to be a PDA, it's too big. I can see the convenience in running full versions of the Office Suite. You can edit, email, and print without any problems. But do you really want to compose an entire Word document with a small keyboard like that? I don't see it. They would be better off removing the QWERTY keyboard, putting a USB port on it and making a foldable keyboard so that you can actually be productive with this thing. Plus, with USB, you can add all kinds of peripherals and you can hook a printer right up to it. Or you could use Bluetooth/WiFi...

Don't get me wrong, I love that they are pushing forward with smaller computers and different form factors. I think eventually they will get it right. This, for me, just isn't what I want. I'm looking at the LifeDrive/Tungsten X for my needs. Then again, I am the guy who used his Clie T665 everyday until I got a Powerbook.

[Brian @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM]

A follow-up to my previous comment...

Portable devices are convenient because they match the size of what we use to carry them. A PDA fits a pocket. A laptop fits a bag. Where does this go? A teeny purse?

BTW... Tungsten X + Treo 600 = :D

[axb @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM]

This machine rocks. It reminds me of a Speak N Spell/TI-81. It would kill with a soundblaster.

[DrSteve @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM]

Looks like a Tiqit with a pituitary problem. But I might still buy one!

[cafn8 @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM]

I can't really say that I see a lot of potential with this thingy. The best part of a PDA is that you can stuff it in your pocket and have it with you at all times (although I think PDAs may eventually be replaced by full featured phones.) If you can't stuff it in a pocket, that means it gets thrown in a bag when not in use. This puts it dangerously close to the laptop market, but with a less usable screen and a thumb board instead of a keyboard.

There may be a small niche market for this, but I don't see anyone opting for this instead of a Treo or Crackberry on one end of the spectrum or a laptop on the other end in the middle live the PDAs which are useful because of their compactness. People have been saying for a while that the PDA market is sinking, and I agree. It's going to cellphones. I just don't see this doing anything significantly better than other types of devices, which is what it will take to attract attantion (and people's money.)

[Jason @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM]

This is a step in the right direction, but its FAR from perfect. Probably we'll look at this as the predecessor to the future of mobile computing/assistants (sort of what those old bag-based cellular telephones are to today's RAZRs).

That said, if this thing were all screen (eg, cut off the keyboard and market what's left), I'd snap it up (assuming there's sufficient storage and some expandability option). Its getting close to my ideal machine: take an M-Robe, make the screen a VGA-touch, step the camera up to 2.0+MP, keep the storage as is, add SD and CF slots, and make it run Windows. Oh, and 802.11b/g. Is that too much to ask?
;-)

[faentur @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM]

As a user of Just about every Newton from the OMP on up, I have to say, the size is just about perfect. The screen is big enough to use (as a text input screen) but not so big that it takes a laptop bag to carry it. Having the full power of windows in the machine is both a blessing and a curse, but as a Mac user I would still buy one. YOU HEAR THAT APPLE! I think the biggest issue would be battery life. If they could ccome up with some decent battery times and hit a pricepoint around a grand, i'd be in line.
If they could make the keyboard detachable like some of the HP handhelds I have seen, all the better. but I would buy it reguardless.
-Marcus

[eminem213486 @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM]

yes keyboard needs to be detachable, AND COME WITH THE UNIT ALREADY dont make us buy one separate.

many people dont realize why tablet pcs dont have touch screens, i wondered it myself and thought it was dumb until i figured it out, it uses a digitizer pen so when you rest your hand on the screen to write, it doesnt accept those inputs but does accept the pens. if there was only a way the screen would differentiate from a big press to a finger press or something. somtimes i just like touching my PDA with my finger!
also make this a sub $500 dollar machine and its sold. but thats a BIGGG doubt.

[anonymous @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM]

i dont think it is.. the pen is from the m200 tabletpc.. It also looks like one of those game type things i had when i was a kid

[acidreflux @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM]

You guys ever seen the Seinfield episode where George starts eating his candybars with a knife and fork?

The reaction that he gets, would be the same as whipping this out on your co-workers.

I personally think George was cooler than this.


Maybe this is just the new PalmOne Life Drive! You know, PalmOne isn't married to any single OS!:D

[Jim Hemphill @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM]

Specialized sub-tasks can dominate the total computing solutio. Imagine the advantages of having several different sets of I/O, attachable to the same mobile, transformable processor, to maximize personal efficiency throughout my business and private day's computing situations one for home, another for the office, one meetings on the move, one to sketch the new plant floor, one to slip in a travel case.

Imagine "Modular Computing" where a core combines with screens large enough to read, keyboards big enough for input efficiency, and standard operating systems and software, yet, has all of one's files available all of the time.

Then and for the first time, there is a logical come together point for many technologies - cell phone, voice response, WiMAX, GPS, biotech for security and pay systems.

And nanotechnology will reduce the size of the core to that of a silver dollar. It will be here in less than a decade but the commitment to Modular Computing starts now.

[Todd Lloyd @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM]

This computer would be great for the healthcare field where maybe the tablet PC is too bulky to take notes on. This is something that the doctor can quickly whip out, hold in the palm of his hand, and jot down some patient notes. I'm sure other professions would find the utility in this thing too.

PDA: too small of a screen to take serious notes on.

Tablet PC: too big to run from room to room with.

[Steve Baker @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM]

As a PDA user who got tired of carrying the Laptop and Sewing Machine size "portable computers".....

To me as all the spam says "size matters"

Instant boot has not been mentioned (PDA's have it) and that would be a definite disadvantage if not present.

Battery life and Wi-Fi/Max, USB support and SD/CF card capability are next in the requirement list.

I liked the suggestion of an included QWERTY keyboard that could be USB'd or Bluetooth (which takes too much battery life in a PDA)

The Modular Computing term and Apple Mini may be what this could be morphing to or from. The screen makes this much more valuable than a "plain" Apple mini.