Microsoft patent application reveals "VEDa" multifunction handheld with slide-out keyboard
By Nilay Patel 
posted Jun 16th 2008 3:41PM
posted Jun 16th 2008 3:41PM
[Via Unwired View, thanks Staska]
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WTF?
Now it all makes sense,
thats why vista sucks, all this time i thought it was bad softwares. turns out it needs a crappy looking (BOTH-handsheld) computer to run the crappy OS
thanks MikySofty
Now it all makes sense,
thats why vista sucks, all this time i thought it was bad softwares. turns out it needs a crappy looking (BOTH-handsheld) computer to run the crappy OS
thanks MikySofty
This is probably an embedded device, more likely than not to be used in vehicle applications. Imagine a car stereo that ONLY looks more complex when you need the complexity, in a system where you have a high throughput of new users (like in a rental car or taxi cab).
It actually does make sense - keep it simple and only introduce complexity where complexity is needed. Why all the complaints?
Oh for crying out loud.
The patent isn't for an actual, for sale device, it's for a "type" of device based on the concept they call "VEDa".
when you apply for a patent, guess what you have to do?
Supply a drawing.
Are you going to supply some stylized piece of art for a concept like this? No!
You toss together something quick and hand it to the patent clerk. they dont care what it looks like, as long as you provide a picture.
But hey, you got patent story + wacky drawing + Microsoft = OMG an opportunity to unload about how much you think they suck and how awful they are and how stupid they are and stuff!!!
Well thanks Fred for sorting this out for me, I did though it was an actual device.
I guess you understand how I felt then!
Well said, fred.
(haha, that rhymed). Anyways, yes, the drawing is goofy. Yes, Microsoft has sort of a track record as of late of coming out with less than satisfactory products, but this type of device certainly has potential.
First!
Will it play Doom?
Will it run Crysis?
Will it blend?
(Hate to do it guys, but I've been wondering if the 'lowest' rank is back and this is the best way I thought to find out.)
Thanks, your clicks are appreciated but it looks as though Engadget has disappointed.
=[
You might have to change your name to Low Ranked.
no i'm here to save the day
http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/15/amd-offers-up-ati-radeon-hd-3870-mac-and-pc-edition/comments/12666625/
It looks like the bastard love-child of the Xbox 360 HD-DVD player and a laptop?
I guess they had to do something with all the extra external HD-DVD cases that aren't getting sold.
@CosterMonger: LOL
FUGLY.
Oh good god...
ummm...
UMPC, Netbook...
wtf do we call this one?
it's called diarrhea
Hideous.
Y'know patent drawings almost never look much like the finished product. It's just a proof of concept.
My IQ just dropped. Someone buy me one of these:
http://directonlinestores.com/images/2006nov_main%20photos432.jpg
Let's put him at neutral
If ever I was rooting for a patent troll...
Microsoft Microsoft Microsoft. What price is beauty?
Leave it to Microsoft to make an ugly "handheld", df you can even call it that.
Ah, thanks Microsoft, I've always been scared of computers...
Looks eerily like the Apricot Portable or the Amstrad PPC
http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?st=1&c=492
http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?st=1&c=195
The design is really retro, I wonder how big they envision this thing to be to have a usable keyboard.
That amstrad one actually looks like a better design than this. The keyboard folds over, so its tilted slightly rather than completly flat (which i hate), it has a carry handle, and also a disk drive.
And it can really smoke the competition at running WordStar, Lotus 1-2-3 and dBase III.
"And it can really smoke the competition at running WordStar, Lotus 1-2-3 and dBase III."
Unfortunately, there is yet no multitasking in Vista.. :(
Is this a handheld? with that huge keyboard? Bet it would be pretty fragile too. That screens just asking to be snapped off or get smashed.
The new sidekick coming in July??? ....o_O
That's actually the first credible guess I've seen in this entire post.
That's the ZunePhone!
Thats 90's-rific!
I'm actually into it. The design works for me better than an iphone and other small mobile devices. Call me old, but I like to see what I'm doing.
This is an intriguing idea...I bet you could use this computer right on top of your lap.
Hmm.
Holy crap... Reminds me of an ugly typewriter from the late 80's.
Where are the visionaries in Microsoft???
I think it's a really intriguing patent.
Make a thin, portable, pocket-sized device out of it with a big touchscreen, make it run WM7, and they may be on to something huge.... in 2010... probably after Android devices have taken over.
But if they manage to put it together early enough, it could make a really slick convergent smartphone device.
This is the reason there are Apple Fanboys.
/agree
I just became one.
Because Apple's patent drawings look sexy? Are Apple fanboys really that shallow?
What am I saying? Of course they are!
This is a travesty. Microsoft must own the company that makes all of these little buttons
You are missing the point. You should ask ugly or not:
What is "NEW", "NON-OBVIOUS" and original or authentic about this INVENTION????
I agree... I don't get it. It's a mobile computer with a slightly different form factor.
Although, it does look like an alarm clock or a desktop phone with a sliding keyboard. I bet there's a huge market for alarm clocks with keyboards... add GPS and I'm sold. Take that Chumby!
Why does it still have a keyboard? I though Balmer was trying to get rid of that.
This looks like a computer in the form of a fax machine.
I'm guessing someone already patented PERSPECTIVE!
it's the microsoft labelmaker!