Video: Tegra-based Mobinnova élan running Windows CE rocks our world

To quote our Engadget Chinese editor, Andy Yang, "Tegra really rocks!" Our team in Taipei grabbed a video of the 8.9-inch Mobinova Elan in action and came away seriously impressed. NVIDIA is really pushing the HD playback and gaming capabilities of this Tegra-based netbook smartbook machine. In fact, we saw it running a 1080p trailer as smooth as silk. Now we know what you're thinking, Windows CE... ugh. Remember, CE (and Android for that matter) runs on the ARM-based Tegra whereas XP, Vista, and Windows 7 won't. Besides, NVIDIA was showing a custom UI with an OS X-like application launcher along the bottom. No word on price yet or availability but we'll update you when we've got more. Video after the break.

[Gad Get @ Jun 2nd 2009 3:44AM]

The headline is just a bit redundant. Just sayin'.

[Gad Get @ Jun 2nd 2009 3:57AM]

OK, it's fixed. :)

[GnuGeek @ Jun 2nd 2009 3:44AM]

Yes !!!!

Intel On-board Graphics may now peacefully rot in hell

[Junemas @ Jun 2nd 2009 3:45AM]

Now Windows 7= Fail.

Hey there's still Linux/Ubuntu, my sister uses Mandriva.

[Gad Get @ Jun 2nd 2009 3:46AM]

"No world on price yet or availability..."

"...world..."


Sorry.

[Gad Get @ Jun 2nd 2009 4:12AM]

Hey hey! It seems I've become assistant editor tonight! :D

[gerbick @ Jun 2nd 2009 3:50AM]

WinCE? You cannot be serious.

[Gad Get @ Jun 2nd 2009 4:19AM]

Oh, but they can!

[Wilhelm @ Jun 2nd 2009 3:50AM]

Too bad since Win7 scales down better than CE scales up...

[Alex @ Jun 4th 2009 7:48AM]

Windows 7 doesn't scale all that well across to the ARM platform though.

[BrianB @ Jun 2nd 2009 3:57AM]

unbelievable the options we have sudden;y. Does this have something to do with the economy? Anyone knows a thing or two about how supply-side markets work?

[Adderz @ Jun 2nd 2009 3:59AM]

Tegra = mainstream fail.

It will NEVER overtake netbooks.

Running on ARM? say goodbye to running any applications you know and love. Say goodbye to your ipod, say goodbye to almost every piece of hardware you own that requires Windos or Mac.

This is just a beefed up PDA. No thanks.

[unfunk @ Jun 2nd 2009 4:03AM]

here's what I do with my eeePC 1000HD:

* Browse the web
* Use MSN
* Run CLI network tests

I'm fairly confident a Tegra-based Smartbook can do that just as well, if not better than an x86 machine. Bring them on, I say!

[Adderz @ Jun 2nd 2009 4:06AM]

If Linux netbooks experienced 30% returns just image what the return rate with these will be.

[Kelmon @ Jun 2nd 2009 5:47AM]

OK, so it's a different platform - what's the big deal? As long as there are good applications available for it that allow you to do what you need, who cares whether it runs Windows or OS X applications? Of course, the requirement that there be good applications that do what the user needs is the requirement that will effectively make or break the ARM platform, just as it does any other.

[Tes @ Jun 2nd 2009 5:54AM]

Because this would be your MAIN computer? Are you stupid?

[Adderz @ Jun 2nd 2009 6:48AM]

@ Tes

*rolls eyes*

I have an iMac as my main computer and a Dell Mini9 as my secondary computer, so yes im well aware its not meant to be your main computer. However i am well aware that program interoperability is a major point. I use my Mini for Office and iTunes along with VLC to stream dvds and a bunch of other programs made by small developers that would never be released on ARM.

[Tes @ Jun 2nd 2009 10:05AM]

Small developers, especially those like the VLc guys are EXACTLY who will release their apps for ARM...

Big corporations like Apple are all you have to worry about, and you'd still use their apps on your main PC. Why would you sync your iPod with your main PC and then again with your portable?

[Tes @ Jun 2nd 2009 10:08AM]

You're too reliant on closed source software and that is what clouds your judgement.

http://wiki.videolan.org/ARM-XCompile

Where there is source code there is a way.

[Al @ Jun 2nd 2009 12:18PM]

Isn't TCPMP vlc based of some sort? If not at least that play every format I can think of on my WM6 phone, and I know they make a CE edition(not sure if there works on CE 6, which this could be running). Plus I think you can dock mp3(ums and mtp only I think) on CE devices.

[maveric101 @ Jun 2nd 2009 12:25PM]

Ubuntu either has or is working on an ARM version. Ubuntu is already equipped with just about any application you would need: you have web browsing, a full office suite, media, and more. they're not the same applications you might usually use, but they do the same thing. and all the files you'll be using/editing are still totally portable between computers. ARM-based netbooks could provide a big boost in battery life while retaining most of the functionality.

[ronald.trip @ Jun 4th 2009 7:33AM]

Running on ARM? say goodbye to running any applications you know and love.

Why? Linux runs very well on Arm and the apps are a recompile away :)

[Alex @ Jun 4th 2009 7:55AM]

There is already an ARM VLC port.

Most of Debian's catalog is available on ARM. And there's a reason there are so many distros based on Debian, the repository of binaries is HUGE.

If there was a 30% return rate of Linux Netbooks, there will be a less than 30% return of these. This is lighter, faster, better looking and has a better battery life than most (all?) netbooks, and would run GNU/Linux or CE.

[Félix @ Jun 7th 2009 6:26PM]

@adderz :
#1 you are a moron
#2 you lack knowledge and credibility to make such statements
#3 all your above statements are false.
#4 some ill-fingered half-brained mac users somehow coded over 25000 apps for the iPhone..
Imagine if Tegra was to represent even just 10% of the netbook marketshare ..
There would be zillions of people ready to adapt any application.

Plus Most Linux distros support ARM, so you only need to port the packages to the ARM architecture..
easy.

[M@rc @ Jun 2nd 2009 4:01AM]

So, with Windows CE, what software do you use for HD playback? I'm guessing PowerDVD and Media Plassic don't run, do they?

[Damo @ Jun 2nd 2009 7:01AM]

I found a port of VLC for windows CE... as VLC is the best media player out there, i would say you are ok on media playback.

http://sourceforge.net/projects/vlcpocketpc/

[Gad Get @ Jun 2nd 2009 4:00AM]

Really? Spam as your username? That's something I've never seen before.

[Pretol @ Jun 2nd 2009 4:26AM]

How's this a win?

Running an obscure operating system on an obscure processor is suddenly a good idea. WinCE may have worked for PDA's (if that can be called a success, until PDA's were completely wiped out by cellphones), but it never worked as a standalone OS. ARM processors? They're ok, but again with 1/1000 of the code base for the x86 processor...

Even if you say that browsing is all you do on a netbook. I can guarantee it will be crappier than on any fully supported OS (like OsX,win or even lin; even though the obscure versions of linux they put on these netbooks aren't pretty either).

This is simply a nightmare. It won't run any of your programs. And even the simple things that it will do (browsing, IM) it will do terribly with updates and features either not arriving, or arriving 2 years after they make it to the desktop versions of the operating system.

Who thinks that this is a good idea? Engadget is on crack...

[NLI @ Jun 2nd 2009 4:50AM]

maybe the idea is to use firefox to run applications hosted elsewhere?

[qwert @ Jun 2nd 2009 5:17AM]

While i dont agree qith your whining completely you do have a point.
For normal Joe Sixpack it will be a real problem when it wont run any of the programs they have on their "standart" computer, or what they get on "standart" sites. This situation might change in the future (android, Symbian, various company backed linuy flavors, win mobile/CE/ pink), but for now its a niche product.

However for geeks (like the editors here, or most of the audience) this is big news.
android is getting mor porgrams everyday, ubuntu has also an arm version (or am i wrong iwth that?), and not the mention the countless linux distros /programms that run on arm.
those who know a bit about computers can do everything they need on it (after a bit of googling).

qwert

[superhobo @ Jun 2nd 2009 6:02AM]

WinMo is WinCE based, if I'm not mistaken.

[ZSX @ Jun 2nd 2009 6:42AM]

@qwert

Yes, the Ubunutu ARM port is called Ubuntu MID.
http://www.ubuntu.com/products/mobile

People seem to be getting excited about Android, but Ubuntu MID is a much more exciting and more versatile proposition.

[Al @ Jun 2nd 2009 12:21PM]

Isn't there two version of Ubuntu MID? One for arm based device and one for atom based? And I maybe wrong with this but I thought Ubuntu MID had a more touch screen based UI.

[Linhares @ Jun 2nd 2009 4:36AM]

without linux there can be no peace on earth

[CJ @ Jun 2nd 2009 4:37AM]

Windows CE? really? That sucks... Atleast put linux in it or something geez.

[raul @ Jun 2nd 2009 4:47AM]

I don't want to be negative about the WinCE, and I'm happy that it plays 1080p and flash... but what about games? I understand that the hardware can play games, but don't you have to port the games that already exist for XP/Vista to WinCE? Isn't the only advantage windows has today in the netbook/MID market, software compatibility?

[CJ @ Jun 2nd 2009 4:51AM]

I'm sorry but come on. These devices could of really been revolutionary. Why put an OS from 1996 in it >.>

and don't BS me about the x86 crap. We all know you can at least put Linux in it

[Marcelovk @ Jun 2nd 2009 9:39AM]

@CJ "I'm sorry but come on. These devices could of really been revolutionary. Why put an OS from 1996 in it >.>" This is simply wrong. Windows CE version 1 is from 1996. Today is on version 6.

To all people whinning about CE. CE is just a barebone, meant to be ported to many different hardware possible. Most of the Applications/Integration/Shell stuff is the responsability of the OEM.

And yes, it is very easy to port applications written for XP to CE, providing that the XP developer followed some simply guidelines.

And its easier to port applications from Windows Mobile to CE, as they are almost 100% binary compatible (under the same processor, of course).

[dsteve303 @ Jun 2nd 2009 4:57AM]

I wish someone would create an OS with the best of MAC OSX and WINDOWS WHATEVER and sell it for 79.99 with mail in rebate.

[Kelmon @ Jun 2nd 2009 5:50AM]

Silly question, but why would anyone wish for a mail-in rebate rather than just a cheap price upfront? Mail-in rebates suck - period.

[Diesel1313 @ Jun 2nd 2009 5:23AM]

This idea is crap, I don't know why their investing so much money on a product that quite frankly sounds like it's doomed to fail.

Another toy to tinker with basically.

[ZSX @ Jun 2nd 2009 5:27AM]

With many apps now running happily in the cloud, flash (and presumably silverlight) support on this device, and HTML5 on the way all you really need is a good web browser. It looks like Tegra runs Firefox which would be enough for me, especially if these come in at a price point below netbooks.

Haven't people been arguing that the OS doesn't matter anymore?

[ACiB708 @ Jun 2nd 2009 5:33AM]

It'd be nice yo see the folks over at Moblin (unlikely, I think, since Intel has it's claws all over Moblin) work on a version for Tegra... WinCE!? I mean, they give us this new revolutionary product for the relatively new netbook market and they f... It with Mark Twain era OS

[ZSX @ Jun 2nd 2009 6:38AM]

You are probably not aware that Windows CE is the core OS underlying Windows Mobile and the Zune OS, as well as point of sale terminals, ATMs, industrial robots and other embedded devices. It is hardly a "Mark Twain" OS.

Currently on version 6.0, 6.5 will be out shortly, with 7 coming out thereafter.

http://wmpoweruser.com/?p=4618

[glados.jp @ Jun 2nd 2009 5:39AM]

I thought it was running OSX.

[Dan @ Jun 2nd 2009 7:08AM]

my main problem with this will be the lack of software support, as well as basic tasks i'd want to do on one of these devices, such as web browsing and email, i'd want the ability to use itunes to stream my music and players like vlc for my video content. I can't see these EVER being developed for an ARM cpu, so i cant see one of these devices being any good for me despite the fact that the rest of the hardware its pretty awesome.

[Tes @ Jun 2nd 2009 10:07AM]

http://wiki.videolan.org/ARM-XCompile

[superhobo @ Jun 2nd 2009 7:11AM]

If it can run WinCE it can probably run WinMo, including 7.

I'll take WinMo7 laptop over Android laptop.

[Popple3 @ Jun 2nd 2009 7:42AM]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't there an ARM version of Ubuntu in the works?

[MrF @ Jun 2nd 2009 8:39AM]

@Popple3 Already mentioned. It's Ubuntu MID edition, already out. Here's a link:
http://www.ubuntu.com/products/mobile