New HDPC from MIU offers sleeker shell and Intel Atom-power

When it was introduced two years ago, the premise of the Hybrid Dual Portable Computer was simple: mobile OS up front, Windows XP below, and ugly all over. The most recent refresh was a big visual improvement, but MIU apparently isn't done, teasing another new version that looks far sleeker and packs an Intel Atom processor inside, though exactly which hasn't been revealed. Beyond that, this pocket-wunderkind offers the same bevy of features as before, obviating the need for a separate nav system, PMP, e-book reader, netbook, and even in-car rear-view camera monitor. It'll make phone calls too, and with GSM, GPRS, and CDMA connectivity, you're pretty well guaranteed to be able to check your mail anywhere. No information on price or availability just yet, but hopefully the former stays close to the current version's $500 and the latter extends to somewhere in North America.

[Via Pocketables]

[GB @ Oct 22nd 2008 9:01AM]

This one actually looks pretty nice, I think.

[From My Cube @ Oct 22nd 2008 9:17AM]

looks like a Man's sidekick...not the tween crap that tmobile sells

[OneLove @ Oct 22nd 2008 11:13AM]

HDCP? Are we starting another acronym?

[sinjinn @ Oct 22nd 2008 9:01AM]

$500 sounds really cheap.

[shulgi @ Oct 22nd 2008 9:03AM]

Red button = BOOOM!

[BradS @ Oct 22nd 2008 3:09PM]

The red button looks like a pimple.

[Orpheus @ Oct 22nd 2008 9:05AM]

The first thing I thought when I saw the picture was "ooh a new Ben Heck creation". But then I read the title and, alas, it was not to be.

[terry @ Oct 22nd 2008 9:20AM]

It is so funny seeing all this tech swag. These overseas companies pump this shit out daily just trying to capture the imagination of young male techies looking for the newest toy. They don't last but a few months on the shelf.

[Danny F. @ Oct 22nd 2008 9:25AM]

A PC/PDA with everything I could ever ask for )-; ?!?! Say it ain't so!

Compared to the last model this looks like a super juiced sidekick-like model. I'm definitely grabbing one when it comes out.

[Brandon @ Oct 22nd 2008 9:26AM]

I'm soooooo glade someone wised up and made a real PDA in this form. I can no longer call it the sidekick PDA for idiots. Oh yeah I want to push the red button too!!!! I can picture Britney Spears or 50 Cent trying to work this bad boy (deer in headlights).

[absinthe party @ Oct 22nd 2008 9:58AM]

Brandon, are you some sort of pop-culture mockery from 5-10 years ago?

[Micah @ Oct 22nd 2008 9:39AM]

I believe the real question here is; does it play Quake?

[Valicore @ Oct 22nd 2008 11:50AM]

It better, I can play Quake on my G1 lol.

[KC @ Oct 22nd 2008 9:46AM]

If they could pull this off at $500 in North America and ink a deal with one or more CDMA carriers to allow this on their network and keep the GSM to boot, this thing would fly off store shelves like the Nintendo DS for grown ups.

[narmak5000 @ Oct 22nd 2008 9:58AM]

I would buy it in a heartbeat

[adrock @ Oct 22nd 2008 10:03AM]

Looks nice but I'm not so sure about those ergonomics... Try hitting the 'tab' button, or any of the keys on the far left or right. Curling your thumbs over that sharp edge onto the recessed keyboard doesn't look like it will feel that great.

[Frankenstein Black @ Oct 22nd 2008 11:31AM]

Just slope and round the edges and problem solved. The more important fail issues is "GSM, GPRS, and CDMA connectivity"? Sup with that? Whenever I hear GSM/CDMA together, my eyes try to focus past the vapor!

[ProfessorKaos @ Oct 22nd 2008 10:09AM]

Anyone mind telling me what HDPC stands for? Never heard of the term, not on google. Kindly please.

[Dubb @ Oct 22nd 2008 10:36AM]

Um, it's in the article summary. "Hybrid Dual Portable Computer"

[htd @ Oct 22nd 2008 10:10AM]

another small step towards what I want, a GOOD windows xp cellphone...

[ProfessorKaos @ Oct 22nd 2008 10:12AM]

Sorry, I meant more that I want to know how they came about etc. because I have never seen them.

[john @ Oct 22nd 2008 10:15AM]

Let me know when they offer an android or maemo version.

[john @ Oct 22nd 2008 10:16AM]

Actually, given that it's a dual OS device, one mobile and one standard ...

Let me know when they offer an (android or maemo) + Ubuntu-MID version.

[TareX @ Oct 22nd 2008 10:28AM]

YUMMY.

Looks brilliant. Although, yes, I'd prefer it ran Android or WM7.

[DssTrainer @ Oct 22nd 2008 10:45AM]

eh... that means you've missed the point

[TareX @ Oct 22nd 2008 10:58AM]

The point that says it's supposed to be a fully fledged PC (i.e. XP) + MID + Phone.... yeah I don't think anyone missed that.

But when you think about it, it's a handheld. And it would function a lot better with a handheld OS. That said, it's only a preference. Win XP would be fine as well.

[lanejasper69 @ Oct 22nd 2008 10:50AM]

This looks REALLY hard to type on with being recessed and all, I dunno, looks cool and sleek, but like I said, typing on it would be hard with keys so close to edges AND recessed.

[TunaPR @ Oct 22nd 2008 10:58AM]

Is that the new Yamaha Digital Piano? Need more keys.

[Major4Play @ Oct 22nd 2008 11:21AM]

If the keyboard was spring loaded so when you slide the screen back the keyboard popped up and out a bit it would be perfect.

[Valicore @ Oct 22nd 2008 11:52AM]

It would be cool, but it would break so fast if it did lol.

[Drew @ Oct 22nd 2008 2:57PM]

Nice Blow-Up Avatar.

[substance90 @ Oct 22nd 2008 11:27AM]

Pretty nice functionality, but with a 4" screen it ought to be quite big and heavy... not very pocketable. :(

[buck @ Oct 22nd 2008 11:29AM]

Looks like it needs more buttons. A hand-held with enough power to run XP but too few buttons to play Chrono Trigger, or even Super Mario Bros? This is a deal-breaker in my book!

[palehorse @ Oct 22nd 2008 11:35AM]

I really can't figure out whether or not I like it... what's with the huge red button thing?

hmm... I know the HDCP concept sounds great... and the screen aint bad...

I must acquire one, feel it, hug it, squeeze it... and call it George. Only then will I know if I love it.

[JOSH @ Oct 22nd 2008 11:35AM]

DO WANT!!!

[Phoenix @ Oct 22nd 2008 12:05PM]

And now, for people who thought the G1's chin was bad... DOUBLE CHIN!!!!

[deyanimay @ Oct 22nd 2008 12:49PM]

Or cheeks.

[doctorSpoc @ Oct 22nd 2008 1:27PM]

yeah it looks like a nice rendering but doesn't look like anyone actually did a physical mock up or thought about the user interaction of the design for more than 5 seconds..

how the hell is anyone going to be able to type on that keyboard with their fingers restricted inside that section with the high raised portions to the outside of the device? a design has to actually be usable... not just look 'nice'... no one could type properly on that keyboard the way it is designed.

you'll notice on a sidekick or other similar designs the edge of the device is farther away from the keyboard, is not as far sunken in and the edge is bevelled so the keyboard can actually be accessed by one fingers... this thing will be nearly impossible to use.... just look at it and think about using it for a minute...

[phail @ Oct 22nd 2008 1:57PM]

you need to keep in mind that it has a 4" screen a and not a 1.8 or 2.4 like you would think. the corners look a little uncomfortable but still entirely usable.

[StalematE @ Oct 22nd 2008 2:05PM]

what's with the recessed keyboard... this looks like a hideous bitch to type on.

[BigD145 @ Oct 22nd 2008 3:01PM]

My pinkies hurt just looking at that keyboard.

[nanobis @ Oct 22nd 2008 5:56PM]

That keyboard looks a bitch to type on, but i want to, Why no WIFI???

[XChrisX @ Oct 22nd 2008 11:40PM]

Other than the recessed keys on the keyboard this thing looks pretty sweet!

[Beers @ Oct 23rd 2008 4:29PM]

Damn that is sexy. However, the keyboard does give me pause.

[Sergio Nayar @ Oct 24th 2008 2:39PM]

When, where and how much that's all I need to know right now thank you...

:)

[johnathan @ Oct 24th 2008 3:53PM]

Thats looking really nice and five hundred dollar price point is looking pretty reasonable.