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EraThink EraPalm runs like a netbook, looks like a portable gaming handheld
Looking at this odd bird of a device on display at the China Consumer Electronics Fair inspires tired cliches about mating gadgets. But really, it took a wild night between a Windows 7 tablet and a portable gaming console (with a possible cameo by a UMPC) to spawn the EraThink EraPalm. This handheld runs Windows 7 and has a 5-inch (800 x 480) capacative touchscreen that slides out to reveal a full QWERTY keyboard -- all of which is reminiscent of the extinct OQO Model 02, except for the gaming controls flanking the display. Newpad spent some with the little guy, and reports some netbook-like specs including an unspecified Atom Z processor, 3G connectivity, and Ethernet, HDMI, VGA, and USB ports. (Then again, it does one better with GPS and support for 1080p video.) Want a closer gawk? Click the source link for a couple more hands-on shots. [Thanks, leungxd]
OQO founder lists prototype handheld PCs on eBay
This is definitely one for hardcore fans only: company founder Jory Bell has listed two of the very first prototype OQO computers on eBay. Sadly, they may or may not be bootable (you'd have to break out the soldering gun to figure that one out), but both will definitely look great in the self-styled "Museum of Legacy Computer Hardware, discontinued AD&D Modules, and Heavy Metal T-Shirts" you have going in your parents basement. What will the lucky winner receive for his hard-earned dough? The Brazil PC dates back to 2000 or 2001, and is missing many of the things (batteries, CF card) that actually lets it function. Fun, huh? The other prototype, ATTO, apparently held the Guinness World Record at one time for smallest PC. It includes a capacitive touchscreen display, firewire, an integrated antenna for WiFi and Bluetooth, and more. Feel like going nuts? You've got about a week to bid as of this writing, with the lot currently going for just over $4. [Thanks, Picasso]
OQO crawls back from the dead, releasing Model 03 in China this month (Updated)
Holy moly! We genuinely never saw this coming. If you recall, the last we heard from OQO was when it said its final goodbye back in May 2009, and even today its website still declares the company "out of business." Well, that's not exactly the case anymore -- a little research led us to CCW, which reports that Audiotone -- OQO's business partner in China -- confirmed a successful merger with the UMPC manufacturer in April this year (on the condition that the latter's R&D to remain in the US). This would explain why OQO's Chinese site was still being updated with news after the "closure," while its Western counterpart remained frozen in time. The juicier news, however, is that OQO's launching a Model 03 for Chinese buyers in Q3 2010 (and the website's banner specifically says August). Don't be fooled by the model number, though -- this 15-ounce device essentially shares the same chassis with the Model 02, but is now packed with Windows 7, Intel Atom Z500 series chip, SSD, 3G radio (compatible with WCDMA, EVDO and TD-SCDMA), and a 4.8-inch 1024 x 600 multitouch LCD (previously 5-inch 800 x 480 single-touch). You'll also get the same old Bluetooth, WiFi, built-in mic and HDMI across the four flavors: Gold, Diamond, Elite and Business, which range from 1.2GHz to 2GHz, 32GB to 128GB (1GB to 2GB of RAM), and ¥12,999 ($1,919) to a whopping ¥31,888 ($4,708). Well, these are still far from what most of us would consider as affordable, so here's hoping the Chinese market will keep OQO alive until it can bring us some cheaper alternatives. Or at least avoid sending the company to its second funeral. Update: Eerily, the long static OQO home page has been updated with a brief, but telling bit of text at the bottom of the page: "We did not sell out to Audiotone. Anything by them is a Clone." So much for the resurrection. [Thanks, Picasso] Update 2: Looks like the previous OQO home page update is a hack... by zombies!
MIT's MeBot makes telerobotics fun again
We know how you feel. Sure, telerobotics has changed your life for the better, allowing to interact with people as if you're really there, coasting through the halls of an institution of higher learning, dropping knowledge on anyone within shouting distance. But something's missing. You aren't happy, you aren't free. MeBot, developed at MIT's Personal Robotics Group and prepped for presentation at the Human-Robot Interaction conference in Osaka, Japan, looks to solve this. It adds movement to the equation, hoisting an OQO aloft for a head and adding in gesticulating arms to the equation. The idea is to allow the teleoperator to be more engaged through "head" and "arm" movements, with the arms being moved by handheld controls, and the head movement created by tracking the face of the operator. We could obviously conceive of a more elaborate representation, but the off the shelf components like the OQO brain seem worthy of commendation. Check out some video of the bot in action after the break.
Unreleased OQO model 2+ sells for $4,500 on eBay, must be love
We may be gadget nerds but we're not immune to the heart-tugs of romance. In fact, we've been known to dress a new smartphone or two in a tight-fitting sleeve of silicone and set it conspicuously on the bar for lesser men to admire, wishing it was theirs. And nothing rouses a man to a fit of sentimental flourish faster than the premature demise of his favorite company. So are we surprised to learn that r***r paid $4,500 to "win" a slightly soiled, but never released OQO Model 2+? Not in the least... you'd be surprised to learn what a man would pay for a Foleo. [Thanks, Lambdajones]
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.
OQO Model 2s suffering from failing main boards?
Times are pretty tough for OQO fans -- the struggling company appears to be on the brink of collapse, the Model 2+ is unlikely to be produced, and now we're hearing that main board failures on Model 2s that have shipped are distressingly common. That's at least the word according to the OQOtalk forum, whose members are currently gathering data on the situation -- and the early trends sadly reveal that the 1.6GHz model is extremely prone to failure. Of course, it's not exactly the most scientific poll in the world, but you wouldn't expect such harsh results from users on a fansite unless something was up. Given OQO's current travails, we don't know if this will ever get resolved, but let's hope so.[Via Gadget Mix]
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 looking for buyer, Model 2+ future in limbo?
Oh no, OQO. According to some chatter on the OQOTALK forums, the company's in dire financial straits and is looking to sell, and that the Model 2+ may be the last OQO device made, if it ever gets released. More worrisome, European retailer eXpansys is reportedly canceling orders for the MID and removing all the company's products from the site, due to what it's telling customers is "uncertainties to stock availability." Ouch. Whatever's going on, right now it's not sounding too good -- guess that Model 2+ Lie to Me cameo wasn't enough to rile up overwhelming support.Read - jkontherunRead - OQOTALK forums
Screen Grabs: OQO Model 2+ makes lunchtime appearance on 'Lie To Me'
Screen grabs chronicles the uses (and misuses) of real-world gadgets in today's movies and TV. Send in your sightings (with screen grab!) to screengrabs at engadget dt com. Oh Brendan Hines, you're so dreamy with that scruffy beard, curly hair that just can't be tamed, and propensity to whip out random gadgets at inappropriate times on Lie to Me. In the last episode Brendan's character Eli Loker was waving OQO's Model 2+ around at lunch like a wine list, the MID playing the role of voice stress analyzer, helping the team identify whether a reclusive witness was telling the truth. No word on whether OQO plans on including such insightful software with the device when it comes to market, but we'd be telling a lie if we said we thought it would. Update: Andrew commented to let us know the software running here is called GoldWave, which may or may not help you identify someone being untruthful, but does generate some impressive-looking 3D visuals and can be yours for $45.[Thanks, Mike Wydra]
Video: OQO model 2+ MID gets unboxed, previewed
We were pretty stoked about the OQO model 2+ when we got to spend a few quality minutes with it at CES this year, and apparently actually getting one delivered to your house is even more spectacular. The cool cats over at MID Moves were able to score one of the Gobi / OLED-equipped handhelds for review, and rather than making us wait until all opinions were formed, they've hosted up a nice preview video along with a few high quality unboxing shots. Initial impressions seem pretty positive, with the SSD helping things along quite significantly. Granted, we would've preferred a WiFi-on battery life of more than two hours, but what fun would it be to not have a single gripe to harp on? More pictorial delight is in the read link, and the vid's just past the break.[Via Slashgear, thanks Kris120890]
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 bringing Atom-powered Model 2+ UMPC to CES
If it feels like forever to you since OQO's Model 02 hit the market, your instincts are pretty darn good. But if you were overly optimistic that the Atom-powered prototype it showed off back in August (pictured) would eventually become a reality, you -- sir or madam -- take today's golden crown. In a recent Digital Experience! email blasted out to media members worldwide (full blurb is after the break), we're very clearly told that OQO will be on hand to demonstrate its new Model 2+. Said UMPC will pack a 1.86GHz Intel Atom CPU, a touchscreen OLED display, 2GB of RAM and global 3G connectivity. OQO even goes so far as to say that it will offer performance "up to twice as fast as its predecessor." Did our heart just skip a beat over a UMPC? Why, yes it did![Via GottaBeMobile]
OQO prototype shown with Intel's Atom inside
Before you get too riled up here, let us point out that this Atom-based OQO is simply a prototype. According to the company's Dennis Moore, the device we're seeing here "is not a product launch or announcement," but simply a demonstration of just how amazing and utterly life-changing the OQO + Atom combo is. Really guys, if there's so much love in the house, why not get this thing on the production line?[Via jkkmobile]
Keepin' it real fake, part CXXVII: OQO G900 mimics Palm Centro
Windows Mobile in a ripoff Palm Centro casing doesn't exactly scream out OQO, but the KIRFers know no boundaries, and at least the "G900" here isn't totally crap underneath that indelicate exterior. You're looking at a 624MHz CPU, 128MB memory, quad-band GSM / GPRS / EDGE, a 2 megapixel camera, Windows Mobile 6.1, Bluetooth, and a dash of WiFi -- ostensibly better specs than the Centro itself. Of course, this set may not find its way to a provider's shelves near you, but it's refreshing to see KIRF done right, and perhaps even done better for a change. Wonder if they're planning to move two million of these bad boys?
OQO 02 gets official Garmin GPS accessory
We've always wondered exactly what people were supposed to use UMPCs for, and now we have at least one answer: as GPS units. Yep, that's right: OQO and Garmin have released an official kit to turn your $2,000 OQO 02 into a $400 Garmin GPS unit. For $237. No, we have no idea who would buy this, but if you're feeling like throwing some bills around, you'll find a Garmin Mobile PC unit, car mount, and power adapter in the box, as well as a small note from us with an address you can send your additional silly money to for proper disposal.PS. - Yes, we know you can also buy the Garmin adapter for $99 and the mount for $59, but it's the ridiculous bundle pricing that's got us all hot and bothered.[Via Boy Genius Report]
Found Footage: Leopard on an OQO
An enterprising OQO user has gotten Leopard running on his tiny PC. If you aren't familiar with the OQO, it is billed as 'a full PC that fits in your pocket.' It has a slide out keyboard and runs a full version of Windows, and not Windows Mobile.According to trf's forum posting Leopard is running pretty well except that video resolution is stuck at 800x480 and the WWAN card isn't working yet. Check out this YouTube video to watch the OQO boot up (it takes about 2 minutes to fully boot). Leopard seems to be running fairly well on the OQO, but don't whip out your wallet just yet. As with all non-Apple hardware that is running OS X, this isn't supported by Apple.[via Engadget]
Video: OQO hacked to run Leopard, now world's smallest Mac
While greeted with heaps of initial skepticism, forum jockeys over at OQO Talk now seem convinced that a junior member by the name of TRF has successfully hacked the OQO to run OS X Leopard. Adding a video filmed by Mr. Blurry Cam didn't hurt the cause. TRF's OQO is setup in a dual-boot Vista / OS X mode which boots Leopard in about 2 minutes and 30 seconds. WiFi, sound, power management and Bluetooth... it's all there with applications popping with serious snap. The only thing missing at the moment is WWAN access which TRF is now testing. While not yet a "plug and play" hack, it's "definitely doable," he says. Perhaps, but we'll need more details to say the least. Video excerpt posted after the break.[Thanks Albert L. and lambda jones]Read -- Forum post Read -- Full Video
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.
