OQO Model 02 arrives

It's been pretty much exactly two years since we first hassled Jory about this, but OQO officially announced its latest handheld PC, the Model 02. This time they've improved pretty much everything, from the sleek, new black casing and backlit keyboard (with actual keys!), to the brighter LCD screen and integrated EV-DO. Specs have gotten a much needed bump across the board, with the most expensive model they're offering sporting a 1.5GHz VIA processor, 60GB hard drive, 1GB of DDR2 RAM, a 5-inch, 800x480 pixel display (with active digitizer for pen-based input), Bluetooth 2.0, 802.11a/b/g WiFi, integrated EV-DO (courtesy of Sprint), and even an HDMI-out port. The Model 02 also has a few other slick features, like the ability to zoom to 1000x600 and 1200x720 interpolated modes, a sensor that automatically protects the hard drive in case of a drop, and an optional docking station with a DVD+-RW drive, HDMI and VGA video out, three USB 2.0 ports, and a 3.5mm audio jack. There are a couple of disappointment -- namely that battery life is a paltry three hours unless you pick up an extended life battery, it's only Vista-capable, not shipping with Vista (at least not initially), and there's no longer a slot for the stylus -- but overall this is the upgrade we've been waiting for. Click on for some more pics, as well as a shot of the OQO in the docking station.

[Z @ Jan 7th 2007 9:42PM]

Why did they have to go with EV-DO and force people to use Sprint? If they just included HSDPA instead, you could get the same speeds but it would be possible to use with any provider worldwide.

[Hugh Jass @ Jan 7th 2007 10:34PM]

Good point, except HSDPA wouldn't allow you to use any provider worldwide. Like Sprint for example. :-)

This thing is gorgeous! But agreed, OQO, please make both CDMA and GSM versions.

[Sachleen @ Jan 7th 2007 9:50PM]

WOW, this thing looks awesome! How much does it cost?

-Sachleen
http://kubixproject.net

[Kyle @ Jan 7th 2007 11:33PM]

This thing looks like a great second computer. I wish they would offer a version with SSD.

[Kevin K @ Jan 8th 2007 12:32AM]

It has a touchscreen right...?

[Rich @ Jan 8th 2007 1:08AM]

So where do you put the stylus?

[Andrew Fong @ Jan 8th 2007 2:58AM]

Boo on the battery life! I really want a UMPC / OQO, but the battery life is the killer for me. How long does the extended battery last?

[Julian Bond @ Jan 8th 2007 4:28AM]

What hard disk does it have? 2.5" or 1.8"? And why a max of 60Gb?

[Charles @ Jan 8th 2007 4:31AM]

I think that there a different versions with different cellular radios in them. What sucks is that for a brand new device it only runs Rev. 0 and not Rev. A.

Also I dont think that it has a touchscreen anymore, thats dumb.

[double @ Jan 8th 2007 4:53AM]

Two thoughts:

Are people actually looking foreward to vista shipping with products? I know I'm not.

Is this thing noisy? I couldn't tell if it had some sort of fan, which in the case of a tiny device like this would be inevitably noisy if running at a decent speed.

[mr. marketing @ Jan 8th 2007 5:27AM]

I love UMPC concepts! and this new OQO. I think that they should really take type of "laptop dock" additional item to their future product road maps. Developing this type of additional item should be very easy and fast for these guys.

this "laptop dock" would be simply "empty", normal form factor, laptop shell with OQO docking slot and with 15-17" touch screen, keyboard, additional ports, optical drive, PC card slot and lots and lots and lots and lots of extra battery, since it's "empty inside", that can give total working time for 10 hour or beyond - and even charge the OQO and other mobile stuff.

Then you just "slide" OQO in to the slot or even better, some how be able to utilize the OQO screen as well for some "split screen working"

Since the whole aim in UMPC type of devices from users (at least mine) point of view is to be able to replace all other computers (at some point, when enough power etc. - witch is coming closer and closer) and move beyond sync.

Now I'm stuck when traveling with UMPC and Laptop, because I need bigger screen and good keyboard for productive work on travel.

With this type of "laptop dock" I can use UMPC as my laptop in travel, desktop at the office via dock and as UMPC everywhere else (on the move, sofa, watching youtube clips in toilet ;) etc.).

At this point they have done the desktop & mobile, but still need laptop...

Modular PC, have that - but not as good concept overall, since no UMPC at all - only "block of steel"

http://modular-pc.com/Products.htm

LTM Laptop Module

Modular PC Connection, VGA, PS2, Audio, PCMCIA Type II, Serial Port Optional (Other configurations available) The Laptop Module is an elegant large screen design, allowing efficient full office performance for the mobile professional. The Laptop Module expands the Modular PC to all the benefits and applications of a full powered laptop.


ps. and I really try not to be one of those - if it only woyld have this and that etc. then I would like it - NO I like this and all other UMPC's already and have more than one myself, but still - have to give my comments ;)

[stout @ Jan 9th 2007 2:41AM]

(@ mr. marketing):

I've had EXACTLY the same idea. I've even considered trying to craft one myself, before remembering that I don't even know how to solder or dremel.

The modular PC you linked to looks like a nice idea, but seems to be vaporware. too bad.

As for the OQO, I was a little disappointed at first, but I'm liking it more as I mull over its specs. I'm eager to hear hands-on reviews (Engadget guys at CES, do they have a model they'll let you play with for a while, and do you have time to check it out a little further?), and comparisons to the Sony Vaio UX.

Also, could someone explain or point me to an explanation of the difference between a touch screen and an active digitizer? I gather that the latter requires a special input pen while the former does not...what are the pros and cons of each?

[nerualtrawets @ Mar 18th 2008 11:03AM]

I am sorely tempted to get one of these OQO things but as you say, would still need to take a laptop while travelling. Sorry to sound naive but how does one go about interfacing the OQO 02 with a laptop? What cables etc are required?

Many thanks..

[Matthew Hillman @ Jan 8th 2007 5:56AM]

When can I get one in the Uk and how much are they!?

[jooon yer @ Jan 8th 2007 8:35AM]

They built a storage location for the stylus for each user of the device -- your POOPSHOOT.

[Information Central @ Feb 5th 2007 9:15PM]

That would be "chute". Duh.

[myro @ Jan 8th 2007 8:47AM]

what, nbo WiFi? i would have been sold i-i

[Arvind Ganesh @ Jan 8th 2007 12:54PM]

Sweet! The upgrades sound good, now if they had just included GPS and made available a car cradle, I would be all over it!

[dixonmiller @ Jan 8th 2007 4:18PM]

Prices start at $1499 according to http://www.oqo.com/store/shop.cgi/op/op_index.html.

[james @ Jan 9th 2007 5:28PM]

YES BRAND NEW DEVICE NOT OUT YET WHY does it not support Rev. A? oqo u losers.

[Information Central @ Feb 5th 2007 9:18PM]

Revision A of WHAT?

Lamer.

[Macleod @ Jan 10th 2007 9:24PM]

I have an OQO Model 01+. I carry it with me every day, and it's especially nice not travelling with a huge and heavy laptop bag.I think it's a great concept, however the speed issues are real and it has kept me from using to it's full capabilities. I like these upgrades, but for me it's not enough to buy a new one.This will definitely keep them at the fore in the UMPC category, but I'll wait for a >32GB SSD (vs HDD), better CPU, and perhaps even dedicated graphics before I resell my current OQO.

[izzy @ Jan 19th 2007 2:39AM]

Why on earth is this not also a phone? I would buy one in a heartbeat.

I don't know about you, but I could care less about size. I'm a man. And I will carry a man sized phone if it does all. I like big screens and I lose little cell phones monthly.

This thing kicks my ppc-6700 into the dirt. I wonder if it gets good Skype reception or if the EV-DO speeds are faster. Anyone?
Izzy

[Aaron @ Feb 8th 2007 10:26AM]

@ Information Central:
Revision 0 versus Revision A has to do with wireless EV-DO:

The successor to the first revision of the standard, EV-DO Rev. 0, is called 1xEV-DO Rev. A, and is currently being commercially deployed in Japan by KDDI and in the United States by Sprint and Verizon Wireless. Rev. A offers fast packet establishment on both the forward and reverse links along with air interface enhancements that reduce latency and improve data rates.

In addition to the increase in the maximum downlink (forward link) data rate from 2.4576 Mb/s in Rev. 0 to 3.1 Mb/s, Rev. A has a 12-times improvement in the maximum uplink (reverse link) data rate, from .15 Mb/s to 1.8 Mb/s. EV-DO Rev. A supports low latency services (as low as 50ms) including VoIP and Video Telephony on the same carrier with traditional Internet packet data services.

[Balloo @ Mar 11th 2007 12:00AM]

I have EVDO on my sprint ppc 6700.
To give you a rough idea of how fast it is, today as I was riding in a car on a southern california freeway, I downloaded an eight megabyte podcast in less than five minutes (rough estimate).

[dave @ Feb 28th 2007 7:48PM]

becareful! this thing will burn your hand if you holding all day :) hey i would rather buy the i-Mate Ultimate 7150 instead! its has every that you need....HSDPA/GSM QUAD BAND 850 900 1800 1900 /WiFi b/g/e/i touchscreen//2MP camera.......and about half price off?

this device is nothing but another windows vista device. which can't use to make phone calls or take pictures. so why bother to buy?

[Reggie3 @ Mar 3rd 2007 3:18PM]

Nice form fit - but as a handheld pc I suspect it has boot time issues which would be a nuisance
Reggie

[axxess @ Mar 28th 2007 9:54AM]

looks nice but it appears one vertical Q is looking to drill down into is medical. There RFID, SCANNER,CAMERA all necessary, and some extra security perhaps bio metric- The new Motion C5 seems to have all of that except size - but handle cool.This should work good for field force automation- if it had at least a camera. After all of that done- sucess means partnerships with software forms.