Compal's been a vocal supporter of Intel's MID followup to the
tragic UMPC platform ever since It was
announced in April of last year. Hell, the Taiwanese ODM even
dedicated a team to crank out all the devices expected in the first half of 2008 but never came thanks in part, to Intel's Atom slippage. Now Compal looks ready to toss a MID to consumers (either direct or through a third-party manufacturer, it's not clear) with the unveiling of this handheld at Intel's IDF in San Francisco. The QWERTY slider packs GPS, a Linux-based OS with media player, browser, eMail and IM clients, and
Option's GlobeTrotter Connect and GTM501 HSPA data kit offering tri-band HSUPA/HSDPA and quad-band GPRS/EDGE connectivity the world-over. No pricing or availability has been announced but we hope to hear more later today.
Update: Ah ha, it's the same reference design used by Aigo's
Patriot, aka,
M528.
[Thanks, Stuart L. and LosOutlandos]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
MICHAELSD @ Aug 19th 2008 5:30AM
Does it run Windows or Mac OS X? If it runs them decently, I would sell my iPhone 3G for this!
Blaine Oliver @ Aug 19th 2008 6:04AM
Did you read? It says it runs linux...
Phoenix @ Aug 19th 2008 6:31AM
Read. The. Fucking. Summery.
"The QWERTY slider packs GPS, a Linux-based OS"
Almighty- @ Aug 19th 2008 6:43AM
it allready runs a Linux-based OS. And it's by far the best OS. Why do you want something worser?
linuxamp @ Aug 19th 2008 9:40AM
You should be able to put XP (Nlited) on this.
http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/08/aigo-p8860-mid-surfaces-in-windows-xp-colors/
Orpheus @ Aug 19th 2008 5:35AM
Engadget's Pun Department has been working overtime again.
Nice work guys.
LosOutlandos @ Aug 19th 2008 5:47AM
This is the same hardware as the Gigabyte M528 or the Aigo MID...
MuffinFlavored @ Aug 19th 2008 6:51AM
I am new on the UMPC area. You do not have to pay a monthly service fee, and you have the internet in your pocket?
Maybe a phone too?
linuxamp @ Aug 19th 2008 9:49AM
The device is basically a PC with a SIM-lock free wireless WAN interface. It's pretty much just like a small notebook with a Sprint, AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Vodafone etc. data card.
You can use it as a regular computer or subscribe to a wireless data provider of your choice (which allows third party hardware) for mobile Internet use. It is not a phone but can be used to make calls using a VoIP client such as Skype or your favorite SIP client.
Anthony H. @ Aug 19th 2008 7:01AM
I see what you guys did there...
substance90 @ Aug 19th 2008 7:01AM
Who would buy such a thing? Neither does it have a normal OS, where you can install third party apps, nor does it have mobile phone functionality.
Andrew @ Aug 19th 2008 8:10AM
Get some Ubuntu MID Edition on there and I'll be all over it.
Hush @ Aug 19th 2008 8:15AM
Does anyone know if it will run Windows? Yes I know it says it runs Linux but the EEEPc runs both because it has drivers. Does this have drivers for Windows? Dang.
Mycroft @ Aug 19th 2008 9:48AM
I want my phone to have this much juice. Seriously, it is time for my umpc/gps/nfc/phone to come home to roost. I am tired of carrying things like "keys" and a "wallet." Japan should not have all the fun.
marc @ Aug 19th 2008 10:01AM
couldn't agree more. I'm looking for a device with this power/size and an actual for real phone (the HTC shift was as close as you could get, but they crippled the phone in the US...otherwise i would have bought one).
Broo @ Aug 19th 2008 9:59AM
Compal, ay? looks like a fat Nokia N810 (minus the d-pad)
Brad@divechronicles.com @ Aug 19th 2008 12:04PM
ifs its a compal, it usually falls apart. I seen several compal products fall apart within days of purchase.
john @ Aug 20th 2008 6:36AM
I really wish you pull your head out of the sand.
Global == Quanband HSPA, not Triband HSPA.
NAM 3G = _BOTH_ AT&T and T-Mobile
Your continued refusal to adjust to 2008 leaves me wondering you're a shill for AT&T, or just clueless.