Model02
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RIP, OQO: company discontinues repair service, disconnects phone lines
It wasn't without a lot of warning signs, but still we're sad to see the hammer drop. It looks like Model 2+ maker OQO has officially closed up shop, and according to a statement on the OQOTalk forums, it cannot offer any more repair or service support due to "financial constraints." All our attempts to contact the company have come up with disconnected numbers and undeliverable email notifications, so yeah, we think it's safe to call it now. And to think, this very day last year its little UMPC had expanded into the world of GPS navigation. Shed a tear, won't ya? Update: GottaBeMobile stumbled upon SVP of sales and marketing Bob Rosin -- outside one of the writer's garages, apparently -- who confirmed the company's demise, and added that the technology and engineering team might stay afloat should a deal with an undisclosed PC vendor pan out. That said, there are no more devies left in stock and don't expect anymore to be produced.
Model 2+ production seen as "unlikely," says OQO exec
The chances of seeing Model 2+'s release seems dimmer and dimmer, as online retailer Build Your UMPC has joined eXpansys in canceling pre-orders for the Model 2+. OQO's senior VP Bob Rosin confirmed bad news, saying a firm shipping date was partly the reason behind the vendor's decision. Furthermore, he said that it was "unlikely" any more Model 2+ units would be produced, though not indicating how many were currently manufactured and ready to go. Worried about the company's future? Yeah, us, too.
OQO officially launches Gobi / OLED-equipped model 2+, we get hands-on
We already knew a fresh OQO handheld would be headed to Digital Experience! here at CES, and lo and behold the model 2+ has arrived in our oh-so-fortunate hands. The 800 x 480 (native) OLED touchscreen was positively gorgeous to look at, and the Qualcomm Gobi dual-mode HSPA / EV-DO WWAN chipset was much appreciated. It's also sporting a 1.86GHz Intel Atom CPU, 2GB of RAM, WiFi / Bluetooth, DirectX 9 and H.264 video decode support, 3.5 hours of battery life (7 hours on the double capacity cell), a world keyboard and a global power supply. The unit checks in at under a pound and can support 1,9200 x 1,200 external displays with HDMI / DVI / VGA interfaces. Get ready to lust after one (we already are) when it ships in 1H 2009 starting at $999.%Gallery-40974%[Via ArsTechnica]
OQO shown off with WiMAX for Sprint XOHM network
We knew the OQO model 02 was hanging around at CES playing on Sprint's (demo) XOHM network, but we were finally able to hunt the unit down and snag a pic of the interface. Now, if only we could pick one of these up sometime soon...
OQO demonstrates first UMPC with WiMAX for Sprint XOHM network
OQO demonstrated the first UMPC with embedded Sprint XOHM WiMAX here at CES today and while not earth shattering -- as WiMAX isn't a brand spanking new baby -- it's nice to see the tech trickle into more portable devices. Of course, don't expect to be able to pop out and pick up an OQO model 02 with WiMAX in the near as the press fluff only states it may be available in specific markets at some point in the future -- apparently they're big on vague. Well done OQO and Sprint, have at it.
OQO releases 64GB SSD and outdoor display options for Model 02
OQO may not be releasing a new portable machine this CES, but the Model 02 is getting a couple of new upgrades. In addition to a new $200 outdoor display option (with 50% of the outdoor reflectivity of the current 02's screen, but no additional brightness), the new high end version will also feature a 64GB SSD (up from 32GB) as well as that new screen for an even $3,000. Oh sure, that's ridiculously expensive -- but maybe you're just that serious about UMPCs.
OQO announces Model E2 with HSDPA -- and that's all
Man, what a tease. OQO's Anytime / Anywhere event is all wrapped up in London and with it, an updated OQO Model E2 with HSDPA data is born. At the moment, that's all that's been announced, a same spec'd Model E2 with a €250 (about $367) premium inclusion of HSDPA/UMTS 2100MHz; GSM/EDGE/GPRS 900/1800MHz (SIM Free) data. Really now, was a full-blown press conference required to announce a simple (though useful) HSDPA bump to the European version of the Model 02? Full press release coming tomorrow -- maybe we'll see some surprises then. [Via UMPC Portal] Read -- OQO Model E2 with HSDPA on Expansys
OQO brings the OQO Model e2 to Europe
OQO has finally brought its wares to the rest of the world with the introduction of the Model e2, the opening of an international office in the UK, and the hiring of a former Palm Europe Executive. In case you were wondering, the Model e2 appears identical to North America's OQO Model 02, albeit with a UK style keyboard. For now, distribution is limited to eXpansys, Portix, and Dynamism, shipping at prices between £846 and £1,359.95. Yeah, the same kind of "price parity" Europeans have long enjoyed applies to the OQO Model 2s, too.
Sprint on parade: Centro, Vogue, Rumor, and OQO Model 02
Ugh, not more pictures of Palm's Centro, you gasp. Yes... and much more. This time, it's the Centro nuzzled up for some quickie shots with Sprint's Treo 755p and new Vogue (that's, HTC Touch to the rest of the world) and what must be Sprint's take on the new OQO Model 02. A veritable who's who of soon to be launched Sprint handsets. Better yet, our tipster -- contrary to previous reports -- "noticed little to no difference in typing on the QEWRTY with the Centro to the Treo" while noting that the Centro was "much nicer to hold." He also says that the Vogue was running a 400MHz Qualcomm processor (not the standard OMAP 850) with 256MB ROM / 120MB RAM which suffered "no slowdown" even while running 15-20 applications. Check out all the sneaky pictures in the gallery below. Oh, as to the device to the right of the Vogue and below the OQO: that's a mystery, any ideas?Update: That other handset turns out to be the LG Rumor, which looks to be positioned for the Facebook and MySpace messaging crowd. More on this later.%Gallery-7252%[Thanks, Catharsis]
OQO Model 02 lowers price, bumps specs, adds SSD and new CEO
A bit of news from camp OQO today: the Model 02 is getting some upgrades, including a 32GB SSD or 120GB spinning disk option, new CPUs up to 1.6GHz, and upgraded WWAN with EV-DO Rev. A from Verizon and Sprint, with the base model also dropping to $1,299. In related news, OQO's got a new CEO on the scene, Dennis Moore, formerly of SAP. That's nice, but you know we're all about the gear, and a reduced price OQO with an SSD option and Rev. A is just what the doctor ordered.
OQO Model 02 hacker crams in HSDPA early
We knew adding HSDPA to the OQO Model 02 was roughly equivalent to swapping out a mini-PCI card, but instead of waiting on OQO to take its own sweet time in releasing such a version in the States, tnkgrl took it upon herself to hack one up. After soldering in a correctly sized Sierra Wireless AirCard, everything works dandy, and she took pics aplenty of the process, but you might want to wait on a tutorial or a bit of common sense before you rip into your own EV-DO-equipped model in a warranty-voiding effort to rid yourself of the shackles of EV-DO.
OQO confirms Model 02 delays, EV-DO modem to blame
While OQO has certainly had its share of ups and downs over the past few years -- from us calling the Model 01 the "heavyweight champion of vaporware," to literally having a market segment spring up around the devices -- things looked to be headed decidedly up with the release of the 3G-capable Model 02 at the start of the year. But as always with the San Francisco company, the transition between announcing a product and actually shipping it is proving to be a little difficult. With shipping delays stretching to 16 weeks, an OQO rep recently confirmed the problem and pointed the finger of blame: "All orders with Sprint and Verizon customers are on hold while some issues are ironed out with the WWAN product line." Engadget pal Boy Genius says his experience bears that out -- his commercially-purchased Model 02 has no software support for the supposedly-present Sprint modem, and to make it worse, the unit he received is covered in nicks and scratches, more evidence of hiccups along the OQO production line. Although we enjoy talking to the guys over at OQO, it sounds like they really need to get their ducks in a row with the Model 02. Peep the full Boy Genius rant with photos of his nicked-up Model 02 at the read link.
OQO Model 02 now shipping
When you're waiting on a signature device like the decked-out OQO Model 02, you're REALLY waiting on it, so the anxious gadgetheads who've been watching this one like a hawk will be delighted to learn that the pocketable powerhouse is finally shipping. After a slight delay -- which must have been torture for pre-order customers, we're sure -- the $1,500+ Model 02 is now available either directly from the company or through "select enterprise and retail channels," and still comes with the option of EV-DO goodness from either Sprint or Verizon. That 3G connectivity is obviously gonna cost ya, though -- that is unless you're the lucky winner of our birthday cake contest (to be announced shortly), in which case your culinary skills have already got you covered.
OQO Model 02 goes HSDPA at 3GSM
The UMPC that brought the sexy back, the OQO Model 02, is being shown in Barcelona with HSDPA, according to OQO. That doesn't mean much without a corresponding carrier announcement, being that all they had to do was take out the Sprint or Verizon EV-DO module, and throw in dual or tri-band HSDPA, but it's safe to say this is a precursor to embedded Cingular 3G stateside.
OQO Model 02 passes through FCC
It's been over a year since OQO updated their original Model 01 with the 01+, and since then the UMPC / ultraportable computer landscape has changed quite a bit, to say the least. Now, cloaked by an increasingly usual (and irritating-for-Engadget) confidentiality agreement, today saw the passage of... wait for it... the OQO Model 02 computer. All we can tell you is that it passed on the 5GHz band (which would imply 802.11a), as well as on two frequencies in 2.4GHz, implying 802.11b/g and Bluetooth -- unfortunately, nothing there listed for cellular frequencies (which mean that might be left to a Model 02+ or some such thing). Oh, and the unit will be 3.5 x 5x5-inches (although thickness is still unknown -- compare to the current OQO at 3.4 x 4.9 x 0.9-inches). More as we get it!
