Seamless announces S-XGen flip-and-fold UMPC

Las Vegas-based Seamless Wireless looks to be keeping most of the details on its new UMPC under wraps until CES lands in its hometown early next year, but the design alone should be enough to build at least a modicum of interest from those looking for something a little different than the usual fare. Sure, it's basically just a standard UMPC with a fold-up keyboard stuck on, but every flip and fold on a gadget gets an extra bonus point from us. The only other details that the folks at Seamless seem willing to divulge are that the device will include Bluetooth, WiFi, and cellular connectivity, and that it'll pack a 4-inch LCD and a promised 10 hours of battery life -- at least it did in the concept stage, when Seamless also said it'd be ready for market by October 2006, and that clearly ain't gonna happen.

[Via SlashGear]

[Brandon Newberg @ Sep 19th 2006 7:30PM]

Yeaaa interesting design, but that thing has to be flimsy...

[Silver R. Wolfe @ Sep 19th 2006 7:32PM]

Hopefully they keep their promise and can deliver that 10 hour battery life.

The design is quite spiffy as well, definitely one of the better UMPC designs.

[Rock Stone @ Sep 19th 2006 7:54PM]

sigh...

This reminds me of what I had in mind when I bought an Ir keyboard for my PSP. Too bad noone was able to write a library or sourcecode to allow for it to work. 'Course the PSP doesn't have Cell or BT...

Looks good, I want some more deets.

[Miguel @ Sep 20th 2006 3:14PM]

Ironic design considering the company's name.

Why would anyone want to carry a UMPC? I have trouble with a 12-inch laptop--not in terms of usability, it just seems small and silly--let alone a 4-inch.

[Jamel @ Sep 19th 2006 8:09PM]

The screen seems a bit small for the intended usage

[Dr Zoidberg @ Sep 19th 2006 8:22PM]

Hmmm... I remember this from somewhere else....

Oh yeah! seaQuest DSV!!
This is so kewl!!!!

[Aaron @ Sep 19th 2006 9:13PM]

Cool on paper, but... how would you hold it? I can't imagine it being convenient in the real world.

[michael @ Oct 10th 2006 8:38PM]

sweet. hope more of these come out

[Frank @ Sep 19th 2006 9:54PM]

The keyboard looks quite flimsy and small, if the screen is 4in on the diag, then that makes the keyboard about 8in, a little cramped for my style, I think i'll stick to good ole two thumb typing on other umpc's, like the sony ux series.

[Sudi @ Sep 19th 2006 10:52PM]

a good "idea" but... seams like it would break if a wind blew!

[Raider @ Sep 20th 2006 12:58AM]

UGLY..... enough said.

[Oddmanout @ Sep 20th 2006 10:50AM]

Flimsy ? Well...possibly. My main concern would be about the central unit itself. As for the keyboard, it looks double hinged such that it can fold around to the back of the unit (like my Intermec 6651), moving it neatly out of the way so the unit can be used like any other PDA, albeit in landscape orientation.

Could be a slick device. It would be better is they ditched the roundy shape and made it a bit more regular ...less kiddy...

[Jonathan Cohen @ Sep 20th 2006 11:49AM]

Well, the original product name *was* the Origami...

[Edward @ Jan 7th 2007 5:15PM]

Drool they mentioned gaming. LOL I am happy wiht my tapwave zodiac. If its as one all as they say I may be interested in a couple years. IMHO the keyboard should be detachable.