S-XGen folding UMPC goes legit

We've seen a good bit of Seamless' S-XGen "next generation" UMPC already, but now the little palmtop computer is a growed up, with a press release and launch deets to call its very own. The specs are right on with what we've been reporting, with that 520MHz Xscale proc, 20GB HDD, 256MB of SDRAM, MMC card slot, 4-inch 480 x 270 screen, "280 pixel" webcam, 802.11b WiFi, Ethernet, Bluetooth and tri-band GSM connectivity. With Windows CE 5.0 and Microsoft Office Mobile Suite, the S-XGen isn't quite a full fledged UMPC, but that fold out keyboard and abundance of connectivity should give the device a certain edge over some of its Windows-based counterparts. If you can swallow the price, that is: that all-inclusive spec sheet demands a hefty $1,400 pricetag. If you're still interested, you should be able to pick up one of these things right about now. Check more pictures after the break.

[Wonderboy @ Jan 5th 2007 1:48PM]

802.11 b!!! 280 pixel web cam!!!

Talk about a steal at $1400!

/sarcasm

[JamesD @ Jan 6th 2007 10:49PM]

Don't forget this device was showcased by Vercel at CES a few years ago and for whatever reason didn't get launched by them. I saw it then, and didn't think it was ready for prime time (too thick of a profile, flimsy, underpowered etc.)

Some of the technology benchmarks have been upgraded since that first CES show, but it's still not enough machine for any single purpose.

It's just too bulky for such a device. It does NOT fit into a pocket, unless one has huge pockets. I used to believe convergent devices would be the rage but this device demonstrates they won't be the rage.

1400 bucks for the device is way too much for a toy! But, someone will buy it, but not me or anyone I know. If it hits Overstock for a couple of hundred bucks, I'd consider buying it.

Seamless is releasing a solution in search of a problem. It does a lot of things, but doesn't seem to do anything well. In a few years, we will be saying to each other "do you recall that goofy looking device? Whatever happened to it?"

I'll be hitting CES and will check it out though.

[Jonathan Keim @ Jan 5th 2007 1:52PM]

Although I am impresed, I have to admit I am not excited. I'm much more excited to where this is headed, imagine this device three years later.

[bobartig @ Jan 5th 2007 2:06PM]

The concept is fine, although their design has a lot of wasted space for a device thats supposed to be as small as possible. Their decision to make it as rounded as possible ('the electronic suppository' approach) makes it look rather clunky, particularly around the screen.

[Thomas S @ Jan 5th 2007 2:13PM]

Maybe for $200.

[boolean22 @ Jan 5th 2007 2:17PM]

Round shapes with rectangular screens... WHY!? In the name of the Lord, this is a permanent problem. The ergo-approach continually fails on this area.

[fd @ Jan 5th 2007 2:44PM]

Pretty ugly and fragile looking for the price tag.

[Jeff_R @ Jan 5th 2007 2:59PM]

Why would anyone pay $1400 for this when you can get a slighter lower-res, but otherwise almost identical set up with an HTC Wizard, Think Outside BT Keyboard, and a couple of miniSD cards for $400-$500?

[Robert Wicks @ Jan 5th 2007 3:12PM]

The device is overpriced and unbalanced. Why would I choose this over an HTC Universal, for example? Despite the plethora of features they tout, it only has 802.11b and a 280 pixel camera? 4 Inch screen and all plasticky? This thing needs to be made out of textured metal, I think. It needs 802.11g and a 5 megapixel camera. With that much drive space, video recording isn't unreasonable. And why not make it quad-band GSM with HSDPA, EDGE, and maybe EVDO to boot? Also, it needs to take a memory card.

[Chris Merchant @ Jan 5th 2007 3:36PM]

Would you rather crane your neck to read a round screened device? I for one welcome our right-angle overlords.

I think the device's shape could use some work, I agree with boolean, either go ALL round or go ALL square, don't stop in the middle of the road. The device is clunky- and the screen's small size makes the whole unit's proportions look terrible.

Other than that, looks promising!

Chris

[PEZ @ Jan 5th 2007 3:41PM]

That thing is just plain stupid.

[Jonny @ Jan 5th 2007 3:48PM]

I also agree that price point is pretty high, seeing how you can easily get a laptop for under $1000. But, that is the cost for innovation and business fashion. I would be in awe if I saw someone pull that out of their coat pocket and whip out an email or participate in a videoconference. Lose the cheap, plastic-look casing for brushed aluminum and chisel out the curves. Then that will be a great business device for the higher-ups.

[roman.kim @ Jan 5th 2007 5:39PM]

I could not live with such a tiny Enter key. But hey, two space bars! Because one wasn't enough?

[Sirocco @ Jan 5th 2007 7:22PM]

Clearly this thing is not meant for mass consumption. I'd like to know what the designer had in mind - to be thrown in the backpack of someone climbing Everest? Do we really need anything less than a 3 lb, 10 inch laptop with a full size keyboard?

[Dekaritae @ Jan 6th 2007 1:24AM]

Reminds me a bit of the Tapwave Zodiac.

[Steve @ Jan 6th 2007 10:40AM]

Eventhough it does look a bit like a prototype. It seems to have pretty decent funktions & a massive Keyboard (when compared to the HTC favourites). The SGXen surely isn't everyones taste but it would do the job esp. in larger corporations in replaceing laptops / mobile devices.

[John Barkley @ Jan 6th 2007 11:43AM]

G R E A T !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[XSportSeeker @ Jan 6th 2007 6:09PM]

As a concept model, seems nice. But as a finished soon-to-be-released palmtop...
1. Too expensive;
2. Keyboard looks good, but the whole shape doesn't;
3. Close-up picture reveals crap quality plastic casing. At least, seems this way;
4. Specs are still bad. Needs a little more improvement.
5. Dunno how the screen works... but those will never be practical until they find a way to detach the screen from the keyboard. Then again, that is also valid for most notebooks around as of today.