Clearview gets official with Infinity miPC

Last we heard from Clearview Technology it was asking its customers (or potential customers) to come up with a name for its new UMPC-like device, the XL43. While the result of that process doesn't seem to have generated much fanfare, it looks like the company is now finally nearing a release for the newly-named Infinity miPC. From the looks of it, the device has also gotten a bit of a facelift since we last saw it, but the specs appear to be identical, including a 4.3-inch touch screen, a 600MHz AU1250 processor, a 30GB hard drive, WiFi, Bluetooth, an SD card slot, and a 1.3 megapixel camera, with Windows CE 5.0 serving as the OS. You'll also apparently be able to snag an optional DMB TV tuner, and a cradle with built-in GPS but, unfortunately, there's still no word on an exact release date, or a price, for that matter.

[Via GizmoLounge]

[austin @ Dec 14th 2007 2:09PM]

windows 98?
i know its CE but it looks like 98

[Student Driver @ Dec 14th 2007 2:15PM]

Wow, I've seen many comments about how ugly something is here and never really thought about.

That's a very, very ugly device.

Judging by its size, and how many cradles are stationary, wouldn't putting a GPS chip/module in the device make more sense? I've used somewhat portable cradles for other items in the past (like an old iPaq) but it significantly affected the mobility of the device with its girth.

[SamyBoyz @ Dec 14th 2007 3:45PM]

Ugly? Not as ugly as your momma...lol

[Matthew Hilario @ Dec 14th 2007 4:46PM]

@SamyBoyz

as your momma? i hope you didn't hurt your little brain for trying to think of such a creative burn. Please don't send your "Boyz" out to get me either.

[Matthew Hilario @ Dec 14th 2007 4:50PM]

i agree. my girth significantly affects mobility as well.

[Chebwa @ Dec 14th 2007 2:17PM]

Honestly, why aren't these guys smart enough to use black and silver? What's with the shades of gray? It looks awful. It may seem ridiculous, but the product would garner ten times the attention with some slight color balancing.

God awful.

[tamoghno @ Dec 14th 2007 2:18PM]

infinity ? yeah infinite stupid with infinite money would only buy this thing!

[paloooz @ Dec 14th 2007 3:09PM]

Fail.

[Reader @ Dec 14th 2007 5:57PM]

Hahaha, one of those times something is so bad it's funny.

[ZSX @ Dec 14th 2007 2:29PM]

I am glad to see Windows CE devices coming out again. The core OS is very versatile - I really like the interface on my old Handheld PCs - and this looks like it is carrying on in that tradition.

Speaking of which, the good folks at HPC:Factor have been following the developments on this device since it was announced in the summer. One thread is here:
http://www.hpcfactor.com/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=11049&start=1

Although the specs are very good on paper, the main issues appear to be (a) it is built on a MIPS processor when virtually all PDAs/ smartphones use ARM and (b)there is no SDK. This means that although it is billed as a "smart" device, there won't be much software available as ports are less possible. Unless it manages to attract a significant developer community (which looks unlikely, unfortunately) some of the potential functionality will be lost.

[patsy @ Dec 14th 2007 2:37PM]

OK, CE makes it not an UMPC but an UFPDA--Ultra Fat PDA. Because with CE it's not much of a PC, and by no stretch of the imagination an alternative to a PC.

[Kevlar @ Dec 14th 2007 3:33PM]

HA. I'd fire whoever made the flash tour on their site.

Affordable: Not a "Bank bracker

* No ending quote
* Spelling mistake!

And Windows CE? Seriously?

[nate @ Dec 14th 2007 3:55PM]

wii, eee, mi, all the same ;)

[mipc @ Dec 17th 2007 5:03AM]

It is actualy not rocket sience why it is a CE device; Embedded CE and ARM/MIPS(AMD) CPU's provide the BEST battery life - about 7hrs video and 13hrs audio. I believe that is 2 to 3 times better than any "umpc". On the other hand this form factor 4.3TFT" is the hardest to develop since there aren't any stable/affordable mobo's of this size. As well it's quite long to develop the CE modules, drivers etc in order for the hardware to work on a CE platform.
In any case, I suggest everyone make up their minds once the device will get reviewed.

FYI The product picture is actually a rendering. The colors that will be available are; white, pearl white, black, metal black. I am sure their website will be updated with a lot more info very shortly.

[kj @ Dec 15th 2007 11:23AM]

by the way you explained it, it is rocket science!