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]
posted Oct 22nd 2008 8:50AM
This one actually looks pretty nice, I think.
looks like a Man's sidekick...not the tween crap that tmobile sells
HDCP? Are we starting another acronym?
$500 sounds really cheap.
Red button = BOOOM!
The red button looks like a pimple.
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.
Thats looking really nice and five hundred dollar price point is looking pretty reasonable.
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.
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).
Brandon, are you some sort of pop-culture mockery from 5-10 years ago?
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.
I believe the real question here is; does it play Quake?
It better, I can play Quake on my G1 lol.
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.
I would buy it in a heartbeat
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.
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!
Anyone mind telling me what HDPC stands for? Never heard of the term, not on google. Kindly please.
Um, it's in the article summary. "Hybrid Dual Portable Computer"
another small step towards what I want, a GOOD windows xp cellphone...
Sorry, I meant more that I want to know how they came about etc. because I have never seen them.
Let me know when they offer an android or maemo version.
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.
YUMMY.
Looks brilliant. Although, yes, I'd prefer it ran Android or WM7.
eh... that means you've missed the point
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.
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.
Is that the new Yamaha Digital Piano? Need more keys.
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.
It would be cool, but it would break so fast if it did lol.
Nice Blow-Up Avatar.
Pretty nice functionality, but with a 4" screen it ought to be quite big and heavy... not very pocketable. :(
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!
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.
DO WANT!!!
And now, for people who thought the G1's chin was bad... DOUBLE CHIN!!!!
Or cheeks.
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...
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.
what's with the recessed keyboard... this looks like a hideous bitch to type on.
My pinkies hurt just looking at that keyboard.
Damn that is sexy. However, the keyboard does give me pause.
That keyboard looks a bitch to type on, but i want to, Why no WIFI???
Other than the recessed keys on the keyboard this thing looks pretty sweet!
When, where and how much that's all I need to know right now thank you...
:)