ASUS' R50A UMPC goes legit

Asus just officially announced their R50A UMPC which we first spotted as the R3. You remember, the latest UMPC set to "redefine mobile." So... does it? You be the judge: 4.8-inch, 1024 x 600 pixel display; built-in GPS; webcam and microphone; 3G / 3.5G data; and built-in TV tuner. Even though Asus keeps touting "full notebook functionality" the device lacks one significant feature: a QWERTY keyboard. We're still waiting for a price and confirmed specs (like CPU) before making up our minds about this one.

[via JKKmobile]

[3rdsun @ Nov 19th 2007 5:36AM]

looks sleek and sexy just needs to be priced somewhere near the Eee pc

[Steve Paine @ Nov 19th 2007 6:02AM]

Should be based on Menlow according to Intel at the last IDF.
http://www.umpcportal.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=1059

Steve.

[Fizzl @ Nov 19th 2007 6:15AM]

Looks like a PSP

[ug @ Nov 19th 2007 6:18AM]

Needs more cowbell.

[Rynth @ Nov 19th 2007 6:52AM]

Looks slick as hell, but no qwerty would be a bummer.

[Bobs @ Nov 19th 2007 7:20AM]

The lack of a built in querty can be offset by the avalibality of several USB ports, ya know, for a keyboard and mouse, and one more for my Archos, maby even a VGA or DVI port for a monitor, for when i get home

[Rynth @ Nov 19th 2007 7:23AM]

Can't see that being all that handy whilst out and about..

"Oh, wait there, let me plug in my keyboard first"

Nah, built in qwerty is definitely a must.

[Blake Bowen @ Nov 19th 2007 11:33AM]

No, it really, really isn't. The speed of the keyboard on my sony vgn umpc is comparable to the on-screen keyboard on my slate tablet pc.

[Blake Bowen @ Nov 19th 2007 11:34AM]

No, it really, really isn't. The speed of the keyboard on my sony vgn umpc is comparable to the on-screen keyboard on my slate tablet pc.

[Benson @ Nov 19th 2007 2:47PM]

Needs BT; if it has that, then it's not "plug in my keyboard", it's just flip the keyboard open.
I use a Palm folding BT keyboard, and it's quite a handy little thing. Whip out of jacket pocket, press latch, and it's folded open, taking very little longer than to open a typical qwerty slider and shift grip. Then you can have full-pitch keys, which can't happen with a slider in a device this size.
And the speed of on-screen boards can approach full-size keyboards and beat thumb-boards, when they're well-executed. This screen is large enough for that to work well, if they can get the software right.

The 4.8" diagonal is getting to the large end for stylus work, though. That's my only serious concern. As screen sizes increase, resting your hand on the bezel and reaching the screen with a stylus becomes awkward. Until touchscreens can take stylus input while ignoring your hand resting on the screen, and still be finger capable when not using a stylus, I don't think a landscape display over ~4" wide can work well.
(Note to Apple fanboys: I have never had a Newton, but I think they have a screen height >4 inches; if they have a landscape mode, please don't kill me for it. Even if they do, I expect writing all over the whole screen is still a lot easier in portrait mode.)

[TestSubject86 @ Nov 19th 2007 7:07AM]

Want to touch the shiny.

[dura @ Nov 19th 2007 7:28AM]

I think it's great there is no keyboard. These integrated keyboards are usually cramped, and have unpleasant action.
They are also often the first thing to get broken. Besides, it makes the machine bulkier.
A seperate keyboard can be chosen to onesp references.

[Saif @ Nov 19th 2007 7:41AM]

PSP lookalike with suspect functionality. The thing is too bulky to 'redefine mobile', bricks went out a long time ago. The lack of QWERTY keyboard is something that should have been flagged at desgin stage. The market they are aiming for, probably business users, like new gagdets but are also very demanding with what they come to expect from a gadget and lack of QWERTY keyboard will instantly turn off a large portion of that market...

http://gadgetheat.myassociate.co.uk

[XGM @ Nov 19th 2007 8:12AM]

Size of a PSP = Good, since i can fit one in my pocket. So my other pocket could have a UMPC soon, sweet.

[LimboMan @ Nov 19th 2007 8:36AM]

If Asus could squeeze 1024x600 resolution into this small screen, surely they could have used a panel supporting this resolution in their 7" Eee PC!

[Chris @ Nov 19th 2007 4:10PM]

They could but it would probably be a couple hundred more expensive.

[Will @ Nov 19th 2007 9:01AM]

Goes legit? Wait, are you telling me it no longer does dealings with illegal markets? Big Vinni's gonna be pissed...

[veryhumid @ Nov 19th 2007 9:33AM]

If Asus is truly working on the new Apple tablet, I'll bet the keyboard is on the touchscreen.

[Hoos @ Nov 19th 2007 12:12PM]

Better bet is Black EeePC - bigger screen, has a keyboard.

Is Asus jumping the shark?

[Sweeney_O @ Nov 19th 2007 12:32PM]

The lack of a QWERTY keyboard is a killer unless they've come a long way from the R2H -- the onscreen keyboard on that beast is more than useless. Yeah, it's got USB ports a-plenty and bluetooth, but for the "Ultra Mobile" part of UMPC you need to have a real, USEFUL input method. The R2H's onscreen isn't. Here's hoping the R50A is leagues ahead.

[JuggleNuts @ Nov 19th 2007 12:42PM]

Too bad no one has developed a USB cell dongle ... slide in your SIM, plug in the USB dongle - *BANG* you have a cell-capable device that would just draw off the mic/speakers ... dunno what to do about the antenna, but oh well :)

[Benson @ Nov 19th 2007 2:13PM]

Check the cell-phone on the read-linked page. Has a built-in speed gauge, which can be set to go off when you exceed the speed limit you have set.

Great for teenagers; you can persuade your parents to buy you an expensive smart-phone. Just make sure to talk to your friends where your parents can hear:
"Man, I hope my parents don't hear about that Asus big-brother phone that alarms when you drive 56. The last thing I want is some #$*@#$(#@ device beeping its #*!@$# beeper at me every time I drive too fast. It'd be like driving with Mom in the back seat."
They will immediately find out about and purchase this phone, _demanding_ that you use it instead of the $10 POS they bought for you last month.
Enjoy your new smartphone!

[computer.dude.28 @ Nov 19th 2007 6:01PM]

Why is there a classic windows mouse cursor over the picture of the cell phone on the read link page?

[Benson @ Nov 19th 2007 6:09PM]

LOL I completely missed that. Is that some graphics guy's notion of an Easter egg? or did they take a screenshot of ... well, a screenshot of a picture of their cellphone?

"This image software we're using won't export as a JPEG! What do I do?"
"Ctrl-Alt-Print Screen, and paste it in paint."
"OK, got it."
(Yes, I know C-A-P.S. doesn't actually get the mouse cursor.)

[frankwick @ Nov 19th 2007 5:01PM]

Will suffer major acceptance issues without a slideout keyboard. As cool as iphone is, people really are having a difficult time adjusting to the onscreen keys. (I know, blashphemous!)

[entropyman @ Nov 23rd 2007 4:28AM]

I am holding out for the wibrain b1- I like the side trackpad better than the analog stick, the qwerty is nice and am impressed with what I have read about the VIA C7-M

[Max @ Dec 18th 2007 5:36AM]

And don't forget to try new virtual on-screen keyboard. It's ideal for Ultra-Mobile PC (UMPC).

Site: http://www.virtual-keyboard.net/
Download: http://www.comfort-software.com/download/kb_setup.exe