Stantum's unlimited multitouch meets Mini 10 in a fight to the death (update: now with WiFi, Bluetooth)
By Joseph L. Flatley 
posted Nov 17th 2009 1:41AM
posted Nov 17th 2009 1:41AM
The last time we saw Stantum, it was blowin' minds with its PMatrix technology -- and here we are, a mere ten months later, and the company's back with its proof-of-concept Slate PC. Based on the Dell Mini 10 platform, this bad boy features a 10.1-inch "unlimited" touchscreen and new, compact case. In order to save space, the company did away with not only the keyboard and trackpad, but the webcam, WiFi, Bluetooth, and one of the USB ports (bringing the total down to two) as well -- which just might limit the appeal for resellers. You never know. Feel like diving in? Hit the read source link to contact the company, and tell 'em Engadget sent you.
[Thanks, Adam]
Update: We just received an email from the company telling us that revision 2 of the Slate PC (available now!) includes your beloved WiFi and Bluetooth. Hit that source link for further details.
[Thanks, Adam]
Update: We just received an email from the company telling us that revision 2 of the Slate PC (available now!) includes your beloved WiFi and Bluetooth. Hit that source link for further details.
I was playing with a slate type device, and I just imagine it like a very large touch screen phone that has better specs. I'm sure in the future I'd like one of these...and I'd get used to it.
Don't they use these on Star Trek anyways?
Tablets are useless for 99.9 percent of users. WTF is the point?
These things are good for waitresses, waiters, and people roaming a shop floor or warehouse.
"Pen computing" died for a good reason. LET IT GO.
True unlimited multitouch would be able to recognize the ridges in my fingerprints.
I highly doubt technology is that far along :D
Wait a second - what's the point with a mobile PC without Wifi nowadays?
Yea I agree on that one. They sorta crippled it there. And last time I checked, Wifi cards just aren't that big.
This seems like a little bit of a FAIL without Wifi
Agreed. It sounded fine until I read that they stripped the wifi out. So, am I supposed to use Ethernet? Why not just a a touchscreen monitor, then?
I'm guessing (hoping) that this as a proof of concept device, it's only meant to show manufacturers the capabilities of their technology, in which case all what it really needs is what they've left in there: the multitouch screen. I hope we get to see their multitouch again in a more capable user-oriented machine though..
From their website, yes, this is a proof of concept device, and you get a dev kit with it, as well. Looks like this is totally aimed for developers who want to get their hands on this before it's in any real consumer products.
Also, the part from the website that made my jaw drop just a little bit: The driver hardware is scalable up to 30"
You can currently order OEMs of just the film and driver up to 12", which would be pretty fine in itself.
This proof of concept is aimed at developers. They are mainly showing off their multitouch display which comes as a kit and is fully Windows 7 compatible without 3rd party drivers.
So, yes - the slate PC concept here isn't likely to sell much without wifi but another developer might just pick up their display and finally bring the concept to the masses in a usable fashion.
IMNSHO the biggest thing holding back "tablet" PCs was the price and lack of multitouch. Who wants to pay 2-3X as much for a laptop with a touch screen? Unless they have a really specific application for using it. Well I say that when some of our Administrators buy them just because they are cool.
@microlomaniac
WiFi and Bluetooth is included in revision 2 of the Slate PC.
Why would ANYONE want one of these?
No WiFi? No Bluetooth AND no keyboard or mouse? Seriously?
to have the worlds only consumer multi touch resistive screen, duh.
I've actually put in a price request. This thing just looks so damn cool, and I hate wifi and have no bt devices...so I don't care about those particular features.
I'm hoping it is set at a price I can reasonable afford. That would make my day.
On this doll, where did WiFi touch you?
Just about everywhere.
It hurts.
I would have honestly considered getting this for taking notes in class. I've been looking for a small tablet option, and this would be excellent. But no wireless network is just a no-sale for me. :-(
no WiFi, no sale.
Where did they get the touchscreen element? Inquisitive minds would like to know!
Go to the page - they are selling it as a kit.
"The MDK series are multi-touch Development and evaluation Kits. They are used for evaluating Stantum multi-touch technology and designing multi-touch applications.
It is based on Stantum's unique 7 years of experience in design and production of multi-touch systems."
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The older I get the more I'm starting to understand those rude people I find online telling people to RTFM. ;^D
@rock99rock
We have partnerships with major touch-screen manufacturer, and we provide the electronics for the revision 1 and 2.
Put the wifi back in, put a pixelqi display on it, and put Android on it (and/or Ubuntu, if they work out the screen rotation issue -- ideally, make Android into a fast boot splashtop for it, that can hand off to Ubuntu), and I'll buy it.
I contacted the company and told them Engdget sent me,,,,,they hung up.
Jk. So this is a moded mini 10 with unlimited multi-touch huh.
@edu3000
Was that an email or a phone call?
no wifi plus really thick? lame
They could just put a Wifi dongle in one of those USB ports....
I have tried all the touch technologies and they are all slower and not as reactive as wacom technology with a pen. I want basically wacom level performance and control with a finger. If these Stantum guys deliver whats in the video it will be the best solution yet.
It looks like they snapped the keyboard off a netbook, flipped the display upside down, and took out everything that would make it worth buying.
Yeah, and you can't buy it... Oh, unless you're a software developer.
Engadget did some really shitty reporting for this many people to think this was intended to be a consumer product. Wow.
Oh, hey, nevermind, the article says right there: "proof-of-concept" So lots of readers are just morons. My bad, Engadget! carry on!
Very sweet device; But why should any of us waste our time with it when it doesn't have two of the most important feature and all computing devices should have; Wifi and Bluetooth. Seem to me that it will be a dumb mistake, due to the fact the more and more public places are becoming Wifi hot spot and Bluetooth is now bigger than ever.
Hello McFly! ;^D
It's a proof of concept. They built it from a Mini 10 using their multitouch display to show what was possible. They are hoping to show developers how well the screens work with Windows 7. Then perhaps, an actual hardware company like DELL will pick up the screens and make an actual product with wifi.
"The MDK series are multi-touch Development and evaluation Kits. They are used for evaluating Stantum multi-touch technology and designing multi-touch applications.
It is based on Stantum's unique 7 years of experience in design and production of multi-touch systems."
I think Engadget should have been a little more tongue in cheek about contacting them to buy one but still.
Dear Engadget readers,
Revision 2 now features WiFi and Bluetooth. We will ask Joseph if he can edit his post to reflect that.
We are always open to your ideas so do not hesitate to comment this blog entry. We read all your comments.
Best,
The Stantum team
Thanks Joseph for the edit!