We already knew of Intel's 2007 "McCaslin" ultra mobile platform strategy after peeping their
pre-show slides: professional UMPCs paired with consumer-oriented, Linux-based
MIDs. Still, it's always good to get the official word even if it means that Intel must travel all the way to their IDF in Beijing to make it so. As the strategy goes, before 2007 is up we'll see product from Aigo, Asus, Fujitsu, Haier,
HTC, and
Samsung all based on the Intel A100 and A110 processors -- essentially underclocked Pentium M cores operating at 3W and certainly besting the UMPC underpinnings we saw in 2006. In the first half of 2008 then, Intel tells us to expect their "Menlow" platform of ultra mobile devices. Pumping Intel's 45-nm dual-core "Silverthorn" processor and "Poulsbo" chipset for longer battery life in smaller handheld devices. But if you're chomping at the bit for
Intel's vision of the ultra mobile future, well, you'll be waiting around until well after 2008, boy. Intel doesn't expect to break into magical sub-0.5W territory until the naughts are up. Until then, you'll have to deal with mysterious slabs like the new Fujitsu pictured above.
Update:
UMPC Portal just pointed out something very interesting: Intel says that HTC's
Shift UMPC is based on their A100/A110 processors. However, the engineering sample we pawed was running a 1.2GHz VIA proc. Looks like Intel scored themselves a major coup over HTC's Taiwanese neighbors.
[Via
Impress]
posted Apr 18th 2007 4:08AM
Woot! I was really sad about having to choose between the HTC and one of these MID devices.. but if it can run Ubuntu as well as Vista that'd be perfect.
Now for the price :unsure:
So they are not dropping vista then, they are offering both windows and linux. Glad they cleared that up....hmmm engadget?
Bazza,
We never said they were dropping Vista on UMPC. Vista/XP UMPCs are for professionals while MIDs run a Linux distro and target consumers. Read again:
http://www.engadget.com/2007/04/16/intels-mid-umpcs-so-long-xp-vista-hello-linux/
"Looks like Intel is shedding the Origami gorilla (read: Microsoft) as they prep a Linux-based platform to compete with Vista and XP-based UMPCs"
Thomas
Don't know how will the PDA and PMP survive when these comes out :)...
If this platform reduces power consumption as well as price then Im all for it.
If this platform reduces power consumption as well as price then Im all for it.
Nokia 770 and N800 are the begining, Intel are taking it further. Nothing new, just better.
I like the MID concept. Aimed at consumers--which oddly means that it should be packed with more features than business. Crave has the lowdown:
http://crave.cnet.com/8301-1_105-9709126-1.html
"MID targets consumers with such features as mobile TV, cameras, GPS and built-in navigation, VoIP, and instant messaging, among others."
But considering the price of one of these things and the functionality--I'd kinda would take a smartphone:( Though I do love gadgets:)