UMPCs to get special Media Extender software

For those of you still scratching your heads over what exactly you might use a $700 UMPC for, Microsoft is working on a version of Media Center Extender software to allow you to touchscreen your way through TV, music, home automation, or whatever you use your Media Center PC for. So far there's no date for when we might see this software, but Todd Rutherford, Microsoft's program manager for eHome Control, says it's a sure thing. We guess it depends on your style if you'll use this thing as a glorified remote control, or as a primary viewing device, but at least now it'll do you a lot more good than just some oddly shaped Frisbee with a touchscreen.

[2Cents @ Apr 6th 2006 12:09PM]

Media Center Extender!!

I am getting sick of this and xbox360 where you need Media center to able to use 360 to act as media center. If you have XP media center then what is the point of Extender. This is realy annoying.!

[Ronald A. Dowty @ Apr 6th 2006 12:10PM]

I bet it will require Vista and won't be a free upgrade for current owners.

[Loonie @ Apr 6th 2006 12:14PM]

Goddammit, just hurry up and give me my pocket Cubase/Reason already!

[Tsunamii @ Apr 6th 2006 12:20PM]

Hey some touch screen remotes are in the same price range so as much as its bashed its a pretty good remote :)

[Santiago @ Apr 6th 2006 12:25PM]

well, if Sonos can charge $400 for their remote I guess this would make sense. i figure some home entertainment buffs would buy this. i would love to have it for the cool remote factor, but that is just too much money. maybe if it was $400-500. it would also need a charging cradle to keep by the couch.

[Enzo @ Apr 6th 2006 12:27PM]

The UMPC is going to prevail! All you haters out there will see... It's only a matter of time! The first gen iPod looked like crap, had terrible battery life and didn't sell well! You can't whip out a tablet to write a quick note, it takes too long. You can't use a tablet in a crowded space, cause it's too big. This thing is discreet, small footprint means more portability! You'll see... you'll all see!

[Bazza @ Apr 6th 2006 1:08PM]

closed minded assholes!!!

[Todd @ Apr 6th 2006 1:15PM]

Wait - the Microsoft comments don't say that this will be a remote, they say that it will be an extender. That means you can stream content from the media center PC to the UMPC and watch it on the UMPC's screen, not that you can queue up music on the media center PC by pressing buttons on the UMPC. Right? So it isn't a remote control application - it's just a way to convert the UMPC into a portable media center that costs twice what other portable media centers cost. I mean, extenders have limited remote control abilities (such as the ability to set and cancel recordings for the media center PC), but calling them remote controls is a bit misleading.

[Ima Pseudonym @ Apr 6th 2006 1:24PM]

#4 check out the Nokia770 handheld linux computer, smaller, about $360, web browsing, streaming net radio, VOIP software upgrade coming this year, linux software runs with minor tweaks, wireless of course, etc.

http://maemo.org/
http://nokia770.com/

Pretty sweet but I personally wish the screen was just a tad larger for easier web surfing.

[Major Malfunction @ Apr 6th 2006 1:44PM]

$700?

Try $1000+ for the first generation, intro models.

[Jake @ Apr 6th 2006 2:05PM]

The comments on this device really crack me up. Every time Engadget publishes one of their snarky little write-up about yet another feature of what they describe as an "overpriced frisbee" all the little drones chime in with "yea, this sucks heh heh" "I can get a remote control for $30" "Nokia runs Linux" "my iPod is White" or some other such nonsense.

This thing is relatively small for a full blown XP device, relativey cheap for a small, full blown XP device and, being a full blown XP device, can do about a zillion things that you can't dream of doing on your $30 remote or your not cheap Nokia linux box.

Why the hatred for this thing? I don't get it.

[Roy @ Apr 6th 2006 2:24PM]

I agree with you Jake.
Alot of people are hating this device. Obviously it may be too big still.
However, I have seen pretty expensive remote controls that cost a ton and don't even do close to what the UMPC will do.

Personally I think the Samsung Q1 looks pretty nice.

[Jake @ Apr 6th 2006 3:11PM]

Roy, I think the Samsung looks nice as well.

No doubt most would like its looks alot better if it were white and had a little apple logo on it; but that would probably require that it be stripped of most of its functionality and, of course, stripped of compatibility with anything not purchased from iTunes.

[Vic @ Apr 6th 2006 3:17PM]

And don't forget this thing replaces those $1000.00+ car nav systems everyone is buying and re-buying for every car they own! And I guess having data to go is worthless.

Ive gotten tired of pulling out and firming up the laptop so for me at $700 it's a bargain.

[emceay @ Apr 6th 2006 3:20PM]

I'm with loonie. Pocket cubase for all!
...Though ultra-portable painter would be pretty badass too, I could ALMOST throw away my sketchbook.

[Eagle117 @ Apr 6th 2006 3:22PM]

I think you are all missing the biggest part of this. If a UMPC can be an extender, then it is just a little software hack away from letting any XP machine act as an extender, rather than limiting it to only Xbox or expensive stand-alone hardware. I have a Media Center sitting in the basement but I want to watch live TV or use the same interface upstairs where I don't have cable connections!

[Jake @ Apr 6th 2006 3:44PM]

Who needs cubase? I can get a cassette recorder at Target for $15? (Sorry, couldn't resist).

More seriously, I hadn't thought of it before but this would be awesome for cubase. Do you need "Pocket Cubase?" I don't know enough about the specs on these UMPCS but they do run full blown XP so maybe they can run Cubase as is.

Here's the specs requirements for Cubase:

Required: Pentium or Athlon 800 MHz
384 MB RAM
Windows XP Home and XP Professional
Display resolution 1024 x 768 pixels
DVD-ROM drive
USB component port for copy protection key

Recommended: Pentium or Athlon 2.8 GHz or faster
512 MB RAM
Display resolution 1152 x 864 pixels, dual monitor setup

Looks like maybe it needs a higher resolution screen than the UMPCs have now.

UMPC hooked up with some USB interface/mixer would make a pretty awesome little portable studio that's for sure.

[reefdiver @ Apr 6th 2006 3:46PM]

Great add on for the UMPC. Dismiss the UMPC if you want but its uses just keep adding up.
* Now media center extender
* Nav system for your car (expect to see car docking stations)
* Jukebox for car (docking will connect to speakers)
* DVD player for car (downloaded or USB external DVD)
* Book reader - not just for novels, this is what students have been waiting for - a lightweight, paperback sized PC. Maybe some schools will require this and finally trash books. Could also take notes and even tests on this device.
* Portable Skype phone.
* Portable AIM/MSMSG/YM system even with video.
* Dock on your bedroom dresser and use as a great clock radio or MP3 alarm.
* Portable gaming PC...sorta...
* Instant Menu - for restaurants, walk into a restaurant, bring up their menu, and order. The waiter will deliver - no waiting for him to order.
* Great for grocery lists. While you're at the store, your husband/wife could transmit the items he/she forgot.
* Add USB bar code or RFID scanner for business inventory. Customers could check prices...
* Bluetooth auto-connect in stores to specials.
* Bluetooth auto-connect in stores for directory and map to find items.

The list just goes on. This may be the most useful PC we've ever seen. Odd that there can be so many techno-luddites around.

[AutomationBoy @ Dec 4th 2006 4:57AM]

Add inexpensive home automation touchpanel to the list.

[Jake @ Apr 6th 2006 4:00PM]

Reefdiver, you don't get it do you? My iPod is white. It's WHITE, dammit.

[(another) Jon @ Apr 6th 2006 5:00PM]

Does nobody else see some awesome GPS/Google Maps/EVDO possibilities here? I'd much rather figure out a way to integrate one of these into my dash than shell out 700 bones for a Garmin....

[Enzo @ Apr 6th 2006 5:31PM]

That's what I've been saying all along... The reason why its so big is because its first gen and they had a deadline to meet.

http://prwdot.org/g/albums/new_ipod/IMG_8918.jpg

This is first generation iPod verses fourth... Imagine the future of this thing! I think the power players of Software AND Hardware, Microsoft and Intel respectively, know what they're doing on this. Just wait and see...

[Jeff Lewis @ Apr 6th 2006 5:43PM]

The only thing wrong with UMPC v1 is the price. At $500 to $750, this would be awesome. At $1000 to $1500, I'd get a laptop.

There's a lot of 'we only need 640K' thinking going on in this group... the UMPC has the a lot of potential because it has the power of a laptop combined with the convenience of a PDA.

Keep in mind that UMPC isn't a specific physical design - it's a platform spec. The current models are all based on ONE of the reference designs. There are reference designs for devices with 5" screens as well that would fit in one's pocket.

This is a very exciting device... for people who can actually think past 'what do I need right now' or 'what have I been using up to now'.

Think different, people. :)

[Jim @ Apr 6th 2006 6:03PM]

Essentially your going to be able to connect to a home Media Center and download music, shows, and movies from anywhere you can hook up to a wifi signal. Grab this weeks episode of 24 while your traveling in Europe, or that Disney movie you had stored for the kids. As soon as you get this aspect of these devices it becomes pretty clear how successful they will be.

[CBG @ Apr 6th 2006 6:35PM]

#21- Nice post. You make a compelling case to buy one.

[William P. @ Apr 6th 2006 7:54PM]

Jake - I agree with you 110%
.

21... Great post!

I can't wait to buy one!

wp..

[Bazza @ Apr 6th 2006 9:15PM]

its about time we had some free thinkers in engadget. more of this support, and the technology will have a chance to evolve further into a fine platform.

early days for now!

[Frank @ Apr 7th 2006 3:51AM]

I like these UMPC's.

Not as heavy as a laptop and still quite powerful.

I would be able to carry it with almost everywhere and a home I could plug into a cradle, thereby connecting to a nice 17/19" TFT and a descent keyboard/mouse.

As long as I run Office 2000 and other not too demanding applications, I could do nearly everything with one device.

GREAT!

At 600 EUR I would seriously consider to buy one.

Got that dear Mr. Samsung?

[RZ @ Apr 7th 2006 4:08PM]

Most of the time, it's best to ignore the sarcastic drivel from the Engadget staff (c'mon...English majors writing about advanced tech???)
The UMPC has great potential...a full blown operating system and IE...you can download movies and watch them on a decent screen size.
You can run iTunes and sync a Nano if you wish. Last generation games should play fine, and in the future graphics performance should improve.
A nice size package...
What else do you want? This could sell very well in Asia and Europe too.

[Rage @ Jun 16th 2006 12:42AM]

Gents,

This little device is a great piece of hardware if you know what it can be used for. All of you bashers have no idea how powerful this device can be!! Nonsense talk about a powerful remote and all. Once microsoft gets the media center extender software released for the device, this becomes a wireless tablet remote to control home automation scenes. A normal tablet running a smaller screen to control home automation controls run $1000 and thats all it does. This little device can do that be a remote, play games, listen to music, surf the web. It may not be a laptop but whats the cheapest touch screen laptop on the market?

For all you bashers, understand the technology before you rate it.