Vulcan posts FlipStart teaser page; will they finally release something?

The long-promised FlipStart mini PC has been on the vapor tip for a ridiculously long time, but could Vulcan be finally close to launching it? To be honest, we're not sure what's up -- we've been hearing about this thing for so long now that they may as well call it the FalseStart -- but they have put up a new teaser page for it. With any luck it means they're getting close to rolling something out, let's just hope it's not that hunk of junk they were beta testing a few years ago.

[Via Carrypad]

[Speeddemon2008 @ Jan 9th 2007 11:38PM]

* Microsoft® Windows® XP Home/Professional operating system
* Dimensions: 5.8" x 4" x 1" (148mm x 101mm x 26mm)
* Weighs 1lb (450g)
* 1 GHz processor
* 256MB system RAM
* 30GB internal hard drive
* 3D graphics w/ 8MB video RAM
* Full-function, QWERTY thumb keyboard w/ hotkeys for commonly used commands
* 5.6" HDTV-quality display (1024 x 600)
* Lithium-ion Polymer battery (2-6 hours battery life*)
* Integrated 802.11b (11 Mbps) /g (54 Mbps) Wi-Fi
* USB 2.0 port
* Internal microphone/speaker with headphones and ear bud jacks
* Integrated 1.3MP digital camera


Optional

* Low-Power Interactive Display (LID™) module
o Bluetooth®
o Wide area networking
* Ethernet (10/100Mbit)
* Support for external VGA
* NTSC TV Output
* Additional USB 2.0 ports
* DVD-CD/RW drive


* With extended battery

to get this i simply used google cached to find the specs.

[gadjitfreek @ Jan 10th 2007 5:49AM]

I think Vulcan got a look at the new Oqo and panicked...and are trying to take market away from Oqo without actually releasing a product. They may have something up their sleeve, but this smacks of last year's Origami tease...and that turned out to be not such of a much. I would much prefer a clamshell device to a tablet form factor, but my Model 02 has already been ordered...because we know it will actually be released!!!

[Tony C @ Jan 10th 2007 7:35AM]

So... It's a clamshell rendition of the two+ year old OQO Model 01... Way to be behind the times, FlipStart nee Vulcan!

[qazzi76 @ Jan 10th 2007 8:25AM]

They don't really need to bother - anyone who's clocked the oqo model 02 knows that oqo have just mircced all competitors including the sony ux imho.

1.5ghz via processor
1gB ram
Tactile keys feedback
3G, Bluetooth, wifi
Easily readable display (800x480)
60gb hd
LOL

YUP OQO got everyone beat LOL!

[aws910 @ Jan 10th 2007 9:38AM]

You forgot an important feature included only on the Sony model: the rootkit.

[gadjitfreek @ Jan 10th 2007 5:35PM]

The specs being bandied about here are those of the pre-production prototype. I doubt Vulcan will release a unit that does not compete with the UX or the OQO 02. I actually decided to cancel my OQO 02 order today...if there is even a remote chance of the Flipstart being released, I would prefer that. Clamshell formfactor? I am sold.

[Flenser @ Jan 17th 2007 7:20AM]

There were rumors of a beta test on the handtops.com forum in December that also revealed the new blue styling. The way the flipstart is designed, with the secondary display it couldn't come out until after Windows Vista is released. So it's not *just* Vulcan reacting to the OQO Model 2, although that may have precipitated the teaser.

My guess would be that Vulcan were expecting, along with everyone else, that Vista was going to be released last year and when it was delayed they went back to the drawing board and redigned it so they'd have the best possible device they could when Vista was finally released.

I expect we'll see Bill Gates holding one during the Vista launch event.