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UMEC's Android videophone and MID prototypes stray from the beaten path
We've seen plenty of odd Android permutations, but UMEC seems to be striving to do something all its own. It's showing two devices it currently has in the works, one is a videophone / hub / DECT phone / etc. unit (pictured), which might be at home on a countertop, while the other is a brightly hued MID, with similar internal specs but more portable aims. Both are running ARM Cortex A8 processors (like the iPhone 3GS), though there's some significant OS optimization to be done: everything was incredibly sluggish on the videophone, and the MID was locked up at the time we dropped by. UMEC also doesn't have the touchscreen drivers working for either device, though the good news is that they're looking at both capacitive and resistive touchscreens, based on what the reseller that picks these up desires. Luckily, the videophone has USB plugs galore (along with plenty of Ethernet jacks) so we were able to get a quick demo of the device using a mouse and keyboard. The MID also has a full-size USB plug, and both devices sport HDMI out, so the end usage for both of these is really up in the air. Check 'em out on video after the break.
UMEC unveils identity-confused ELT408 UMPC
As much flak we've given UMPCs throughout the first generation, at least most of those devices know what they're all about: frustrating users with short battery life and lacking input options. Unfortunately, it's a bit more confusing with this upcoming ELT408 from UMEC, since it sports a convertible display that folds up for a traditional laptop look... without a keyboard underneath. We suppose it might be nice to offer users a sort of adjustable stand, and hopefully UMEC is making good use of the space for a battery and whatnot, but that doesn't mean they aren't crazy for slapping such an appendage onto what looks to be an otherwise interesting UMPC. Based on a undetermined 1GHz processor and 512MB of RAM, the ELT408 sports a traditional 7-inch LCD (at a untraditional supposed VGA resolution, but we're hoping that's a typo), a 40GB HDD, 1.3 megapixel camera, Ethernet and modem jacks, 802.11g WiFi, ExpressCard slot, 4-in-1 card reader, and, most surprisingly, two hole HDMI ports for use with your HDTV. Pretty dang odd, but we'll be keeping an eye out for this when it debuts at CES to find out of UMEC can pull it all together.[Via Carrypad]
