Sharp-branded Willcom D4 MID gets examined, shown off on video

Willcom's Atom-based D4 MID has been out and about for a little while now, but the folks at Direct From Japan have now thankfully gotten their hands on a Sharp-branded version of the device and offered up some of their initial impressions by way of UMPC Portal, along with a video. On the upside, they say that size and weight of the device is "perfect for a big pocket," and that the screen quality and pixel density is "amazing." They also seem to have been particularly impressed by the dock, which'll let you charge a second battery, and by the device's rather unique touchpad on the side of the screen. They were less impressed by the hefty $1,200+ price tag (or more when you factor in the optional dock), however, and by the small keyboard, though we doubt many were expecting anything otherwise there. Those outside of Japan also won't be able to do much with the included W-SIM card but, if you're still curious about the device, you can check out the video after the break.

[Thanks, TareX]

[Appdirect @ Jul 8th 2008 6:02PM]

Oh no, not another apple fanboy.

[TareX @ Jul 8th 2008 6:01PM]

Touchscreen.
Vista runs fast.
Very Pocketable umpc.
Slide and tilt screen (my fav form factor).
Full qwerty.
Atom processor.

This is the perfect UMPC. Finally, one that is powerful, AND fits in a pocket.

[PEZ @ Jul 8th 2008 8:37PM]

But as the page says, it most likely will only be available in Asia. I wonder if the OS version will even be in English. hmm, maybe Dynamism.

[cf292007 @ Jul 9th 2008 5:17PM]

technically it is not a umpc its actually a phone. it comes with a separate device that picks up a signal from the big thingy to act as a more practical and smaller phone to use when talking

[Dan @ Jul 8th 2008 6:02PM]

The price tag is not insanely diffcult to handle honestly.. but with the EEE PC now shipping with the Atom Intel Processors for way under a $1,000 its kinda tough to justify getting one.

Price would be more justified if lowered to a $1,000 and had support for US 3G / or optional CDMA hookup.

[kjb434 @ Jul 8th 2008 6:06PM]

I agree, if phone calls could be made from it it would be inline with other PDA phones yet running a full OS for mobile one.

[Jeff @ Jul 8th 2008 6:29PM]

I'm not convinced there's even a market for these "mids" at all.... am i wrong?

[Joel Rose @ Jul 8th 2008 6:49PM]

In Japan there's a market for it. They like small computers. When I lived there, saw all kinds of extra small laptops and several book sized devices that ran full Windows- but they all start at over $1000.

[Macro @ Jul 8th 2008 6:04PM]

Wheres Linux?

[fred @ Jul 8th 2008 6:07PM]

Where's Waldo?

[derX @ Jul 8th 2008 7:09PM]

In dire need of your help, I'd say.

http://www.jtrue.com/cartoons/art/low/wheres_waldo.jpg

[Almighty- @ Jul 9th 2008 8:19AM]

You might want to install this on your UMPC ?

http://www.ubuntu.com/products/mobile

[fred @ Jul 8th 2008 6:06PM]

These things are nice and all, but $1,200? Really?

Smartphones and Netbooks are making these things look ridiculous overpriced.

[thedesolate1 @ Jul 8th 2008 6:07PM]

Im curious as to where all this MID/UMPC/Smartphone/PDA/PMP/Internet tablet thing is headed... It is inevitable that they will all pull an AT&T on us and merge together into one name. So the question is who is going to take the leap and invest in one of these "MiD's"? Oh and our psp's and DS's will eventually be assimilated as well... I will give it till 2012 since thats supposedly the magic year of the paradigm shift in humanity's tech advances. Im not saying the concept is bad... I love the idea. What I want to know is if MID's will be the 'IT" device that is going to make me throw away all my electronics...

[thedesolate1 @ Jul 8th 2008 6:09PM]

where's windows XP? oh hell and while we are at it..
where's Ubuntu Mobile?

[thedesolate1 @ Jul 8th 2008 6:15PM]

damn comment system....

[Who Knows @ Jul 8th 2008 6:13PM]

Check out that purrty screen.

[Josh @ Jul 8th 2008 6:19PM]

Any chance of a nub mouse? Or even a USB port for a tiny portable one?

(Is that one i see on the upper left hand side?)

I can't imagine that controlling a cursor with a touch pad is easy, especially not with clicking.

[EMaster @ Jul 8th 2008 6:23PM]

I am suprised no one yet has come here going "Yo dat be da new Saaaaa'kik 5 Y'all!!!" cause it's made by Sharp

[Jeff @ Jul 8th 2008 6:26PM]

I don't believe the parenthetical portion of your name.

for the record.

also: you're like that one really loud homosexual screaming in falsetto about how much you love cock in your mouth. ...you make everyone else in your demographic look like a fool. cut it out.

[Jeff @ Jul 8th 2008 6:27PM]

damnit: above comment was supposed to be a reply to "Ocean (im not 'clak')" - the first comment, that said "GOOD, but wheres apple osx"

...but, again, Engadget's commenting system is a pile of crap. ...so... apologies.

[Andrew Campbell @ Jul 8th 2008 6:30PM]

You mean Mac OS X? Way to fail.

[le Chen @ Jul 8th 2008 6:33PM]

This is in yodobashi camera
if you guys go there
everything is duty free
i went the on at Osaka got a KOHJINSHA
good deal

[Yamanote @ Jul 8th 2008 6:42PM]

Nice try, but ultimately a useless product. Besides the high price, it runs on the dying Japanese PHS network, which is woefully slow for this type of device. One wonders why E-mobile with its partial HSDPA network did not get an exclusive on this device and why Willcom was able to convince Sharp to put a PHS chip inside instead of a HSDPA chip.

I'm sure the internal politics of Sharp are a factor, as the old Zaurus team is apparently in charge of creating product for Willcom. They will need to wake up to the need to create good global product, and not waste R&D money on a dying technology.

Also I'm sure E-mobile could not swallow the financials of this device. With Goldman Sachs reviewing every decision at E-mobile its not surprise that E-mobile's product line up is the worst of all the Japan networks.

[Elliatab @ Jul 8th 2008 6:44PM]

Willcom is using a PHS network. This standard was never deployed outside of a limited number of countries in Asia, so I'm quite sure this phone cannot be used (as a phone or internet machine) anywhere except Japan and Tw.

[roach @ Jul 8th 2008 6:48PM]

Any difference between Vista UMP and Vista desktop? UMP version run-able on desktop because that would be one fast Vista.

[Quikboy @ Jul 8th 2008 6:53PM]

Hopefully it'll come with Origami 2.0 by default. I use it on my Samsung UMPC every other day, and it works great. I don't know how I could easily enjoy my multimedia on a UMPC without it.

[derX @ Jul 8th 2008 7:02PM]

It's right.....*there*. You see it?

It's next to that red thing.

You see it? Look, it's waving now. Go befriend it.

[derX @ Jul 8th 2008 7:19PM]

Damn comment system. It was a reply to Ocean not Clak.

*too lazy to repost*

[GatgetMan @ Jul 8th 2008 7:13PM]

Bend over and I'll show ya....

[Joe Anstine @ Jul 8th 2008 7:15PM]

Even though I know id never use it to justify purchasing it, god do I want it

[Biofeak @ Jul 8th 2008 7:18PM]

wow, almost the size of PSP but much better :)

[peacefulpony @ Jul 8th 2008 8:02PM]

Sometimes I hold the PSP up to my ear like I'm taking a call, and used iPhone like gestures on the screen. A lot of chics don't know the difference.. they just see this stud with a pretty cool gadget. When they ask to see it, I ask for their number. I'd write an ebook on the topic but I think you get my drift.

[SPOKE @ Jul 8th 2008 8:38PM]

i heard the iphone was better

[andres @ Jul 8th 2008 10:35PM]

i herd u liek mudkipz, i mean, i heard you were a fanboy

[andres @ Jul 8th 2008 10:38PM]

is that you clak?

[andres @ Jul 8th 2008 10:39PM]

hmm, comment system is hating on me today. was supposed to be a reply to the top. the joke is lost

[silverblackvoid @ Jul 9th 2008 3:02AM]

i want one!

[90 @ Jul 9th 2008 9:19AM]

Can you believe that there is no Linux x86 machine sold in store in Japan? Japanese PC vendors are obviously not facing to users...8 inch width non-touch-typable keyboard? how many people can actually type on a keyboard like this? Why no Linux? or even XP? I'm pretty nervous about this...

[Alan @ Jul 29th 2008 1:47PM]

Conics and several other companies are selling the D4 and installing English Vista. There is an extended battery that is a must to increase the battery life to 4-5 hours. This is the first UMPC that might be a practical computer not just a toy for the geek at heart. Business users just want a touch type keyboard, pocket laptop that runs full Windows and here is the first such device. I hope more companies start copying this form factor.

Even though the cell phone capabilities do not work outside of Japan, the form factor alone is worth it. The wifi and computer functionality form factor is worth the price.