wibrain
Latest
WiBrain M1 UMPC gets more real, but still not completely real
WiBrain's M1 has seen a pretty rocky road to launch since it first arrived on the scene way back last summer, but it looks like the company is finally moving forward with it, and reportedly kicking the UMPC into production. Despite its extended stay in prototype form, however, there doesn't appear to be too many changes to the device, with it still packing a 4.8-inch 1,024 x 600 touchscreen, along with an Atom Z520 processor, up to 1GB of RAM, a max 16GB SSD, and all the connectivity options you'd expect, plus some (presumably optional) HSDPA. The one big change from the early prototype is the slide-out QWERTY keypad, which now opts for some membrane-style keys that could make an already difficult typing situation even tougher. No word on a price or expected release date just yet, but it seems likely that it'll remain a Korean exclusive, at least initially.[Via jkkmobile]
WiBrain M1 reemerges as EKING M1, still rockin' the uglies
You've got us -- the M1 is far from the most unsightly product to ever sport the WiBrain logo, but even this pig (seriously, this thing is chubby) looks no better post-lipstick. After appearing and vanishing in one fell swoop, the EKING M1 has surfaced in China with a 1.33GHz Atom Z520 processor, built-in WiFi, optional WWAN, a battery good for six hours of usage, GPS, a TV tuner, camera and a full QWERTY keyboard. We can't give our wholehearted recommendation on purchasing one from Made-In-China.com, but feel free to check out lots more in the wild shots below.[Via Pocketables]
Has the Atom-powered WiBrain i1 UMPC fallen off the map?
Or more importantly, do you even care? One quick glance over at WiBrain's website will leave you searching to no avail for any traces of the i1, and while it's a shame we might not ever see this hardware package mass produced, we can't say we're terribly surprised. We mean, really, how many of your nerdy friends have saved up for one of these unwieldy UMPCs over, say, a netbook or the like? If the i1 really puffed its last breath at IFA, at least we can say we went to its farewell party. Ah well, onward and upward, right?[Via Slashgear]Update: The unit is still hanging around on WiBrain's German website, which possibly explains its IFA presence. Maybe it's being reserved for a Europe-only introduction? Thanks, xtron!
Wibrain shows off Atom-based i1, takes shot at Blackberry
We've already seen some nice and polished images of Wibrain's Atom-based i1 MID / UMPC, but the company's now finally let the device out on the trade show circuit, and the folks at Pocket-lint thankfully managed to grab a few shots of it at IFA. As we had heard, the device packs either a 1.1GHz or 1.3GHz Atom processor, along with 1GB of RAM, a 30GB or 60GB hard drive or 8GB, 16GB, or 32GB SSD (no 64GB option, it seems) and, perhaps most notably, tri-band UMTS / HSDPA and quad-band GPRS / EDGE connectivity. There's still no word on a price or release date, unfortunately, but Wibrain sure is taking a rather, um, interesting approach to marketing the device, with one of its leaflets (pictured after the break) boldly proclaiming, "Sorry, Blackberry. We provide you a real free mobile life – full browsing internet plus the complete functionality of Outlook, of course all MS Office documentation anytime, anywhere". Oh, snap.
Is this WiBrain's Atom-based M1 MID?
For those who've had a really tough time warming to WiBrain's design schemes, maybe this one will finally be the device you're able to fall for. This much shorter (albeit chubbier) device is said to be the elusive M1 MID, which was spotted chillin' out maxin' relaxin' all cool at IDF 2008. Initial specifications include a 4.8-inch 1,024 x 600 resolution display, an Atom processor, 512MB to 1GB of RAM, an 8GB / 16GB SSD, WiFi / Bluetooth, HSDPA, mobile TV and "Linux or Windows XP" as OS options. So, WiBrain haters -- would you give this a shot at winning you over?[Via Pocketables, thanks techiefan77]
WiBrain to offer Atom / SSD / HSDPA-packin' I1 UMPC
Say what you will about the attractiveness (or lack thereof) of WiBrain's line of -- shall we say, unique -- UMPCs, but hardware wise, they're hard to bang on. The B1 just recently saw an update that added in a succulent SSD, and the all new I1 looks to share in that joyousness while also including two more tidbits we've been longing for. According to early reports, the I1 will feature a tweaked B1 design with a mildly updated casing, but the real fun is within; we're talking a 1.1GHz / 1.3GHz Intel Atom CPU, SSD options as roomy as 64GB, Windows XP or Linux running the show, 6-hours of battery life when browsing and a drool-worthy HSDPA module. Pricing has yet to be disclosed, but we are told to expect a worldwide launch (yes, including North America) in October. [Via Pocketables, thanks Jenn]
MTI Micro, NeoSolar to tinker with fuel cell-powered UMPCs
We'll be mighty pleased when MTI Micro gets off its high horse and actually delivers something to the consumer electronics realm, but for now, we're being forced to inhale even more fluff as we wait for an end product. The latest outfit to dive into a partnership with MTI is NeoSolar, as the two gleefully set off to develop Mobion fuel cell technology for use in future NeoSolar devices (namely UMPCs). As we've heard so many times over now, these two will be working together to "develop, test, and evaluate" prototypes, but we'll be lucky to see a fuel cell-powered WiBrain before 2020. Prove us wrong, pretty please.[Via CNET]
WiBrain B1 UMPC gets SSD option
Look out! The world's ugliest UMPCs are all getting the SSD treatment, or so it seems. Just five days after Raon Digital added a 32GB solid state drive option for its Everun S32S Dic, WiBrain has introduced a SSD-equipped B1. Starting today, users can grab one of these devices with an 8GB, 16GB or 32GB SSD packed within, each of which will set you back ???399,000 ($383), ???549,000 ($528) and ???599,000 ($576), respectively.[Thanks, Jenn]
Hands-on with the WiBrain B1 UMPC
While the crew at Engadget is a little divided over whether the VIA-based WiBrain B1 UMPC is really handsome or really fugly, we did jump at the chance to get our paws all over it. The little device actually feels really good in your hands, though its awkward keyboard would definitely take some getting used to. We did feel right at home with the touchscreen, however, which was amazingly sharp, clear, and pretty darn high-res. Take a look at the gallery below (which includes some size comparisons) and see for yourself. Side note: the VIA rep who was showing the device off says these have launched in the US, but we haven't confirmed that yet.%Gallery-12983%
WiBrain's B1 UMPC hits the FCC, every branch on the ugly tree
We're not sure what else there is to know about the WiBrain B1 UMPC -- we've seen it hands-on, unboxed, and even slightly redesigned -- but true gadget pr0n connoisseurs crave only the sweet nectar of FCC reports, and it looks like today is your special Friday. Yep, there it is, and there's not much of the way in details we didn't already have -- except now you can tear up over both the beautifully ugly lines of this thing and the massively boring RF test results.
Wibrain's B1 UMPC unboxed, still mystifying from all angles
We've already seen Wibrain's inscrutably-designed B1 showcased on video, but there's just nothing that sparks up conversation like a gallery full of unboxing photos. Thankfully, The Boy Genius has done the honors and tediously photographed the entire unpacking process for your enjoyment, and yes, we're still not sure if we appreciate or abhor the design. Enough jabber, click on to the read link and take a gander for yourself -- she's a real eye-turner, for better or worse.
Wibrain's B1 UMPC gets showcased on video
It's Wibrain's (recently redesigned) B1, and it's on video. Granted, it's narrated in a foreign language, but hey, it's the B1, and it's on video. Thankfully, the clip does include a shot of an updated specifications list (in English), so here's the skinny on all that: we're now looking at a VIA C7M ULV 1.2GHz processor, a 4.0-inch (or is that 4.8-inch?) 1,024 x 600 resolution panel, your choice of 512MB or 1GB of RAM, 802.11b/g, Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, a 30GB / 60GB 4,200RPM PATA hard drive, four-cell standard Li-ion battery (six-cells in the extended one), stereo speakers, a built-in webcam and a number of connectivity options including HSDPA / UMTS, GSM / GPRS / EDGE and WiMAX. As for ports, the sheet explains that it'll have a single USB jack, headphone output, microphone input and a cradle connector to boot. Go on, check out the video after the break, but make sure you call over a translator before pressing play.
Wibrain's B1 UMPC gets redesigned, retargeted
It's been a while since we last heard anything about Wibrain's B1 UMPC, but it looks like the company hasn't been ignoring the device in the past few months, as it now sports a slightly redesigned look and, apparently, an expanded target market. The biggest change on the design front, it seems, is a new input system in the device's lower right corner and, as you can see, a new black casing that we hadn't seen before. According to CNET, the company's CEO has also said that the device is "targeted at the overseas market." and not just the Korean market as we had heard earlier. For those curious, the company also looks to have let loose a few more specs, including word that'll it'll pack a 4-inch WSVGA screen, a 30GB or 60GB hard drive, and mobile WiMAX in addition to standard 3G options. While there's no word on exactly when it might make it overseas, those in Korea will apparently be able to get their hands on one before the end of the year.[Thanks, Kev]
Wibrain's B1 UMPC: hideous, yet strangely appealing
Ok, it's ugly as sin (and pretty thick, to boot), but we have to give props to Wibrain's new B1 UMPC. Besides coming equipped with a Via C7m CPU up to 1.6GHz, 802.11b/g, Bluetooth 2.1, a VGA camera, HSDPA, and a full QWERTY keyboard and trackpad, the thing's going to sell for a mere 600 or 700k Korean Won (about $650 - $760 US) when it's launched overseas this October.
