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Eee PC 701 prototype UMPC mod spotted, photographed, lusted after
If you ask us (and you did) all signs seem to be pointing towards an Eee-branded UMPC at some point in the near future. Clearly there is some interest in such a beast, and we've definitely heard some chatter, and now we've got several delectable pics of an Eee PC 701 prototype with more than a passing resemblance to the Origami -- including those telltale keys. According to X-Gadget, the thing weighs 1.68 pounds (as opposed to over 2 pounds for the venerable netbook) and comes complete with a stylus. There's no word yet on a release date, or whether or not the thing will ever swing into production, but we'll keep our eyes peeled. In the meantime, be sure to check out the gallery below.Update: Looks like this is just a prototype of a case mod based on the Eee PC, not a prototype of a new ASUS product. Thanks, Andy!%Gallery-43959%[Via Portable Monkey]
Windows 7 gets installed on Amtek U560 UMPC, what's next?
It may not be quite the all purpose OS that Windows XP has become, but Windows 7 is certainly proving to at least be a good deal more versatile than its immediate predecessor, and folks just can't seem to stop testing its limits. One of the latest to be put through the wringer is the Amtek U560 UMPC, which is based on a pre-Atom A100 processor that clocks in at a mere 600MHz. Despite that, however, and the system's paltry 512MB RAM, the UMPC seems to have been more than up to the task, with it snagging a passable Windows 7 Experience Index rating of 1.2. Head on past the break to check it out in action.[Via SlashGear]
Video: iFrame tablet PC in action
Oliver Seres has developed a tablet PC prototype that he's calling the iFrame (groan) -- which is somewhat similar to that CrunchPad we've been following -- and runs on a custom install of Ubuntu. It's built from an Amtek T10L UMPC, and looks like it's pretty snappy, with a really slick interface. We don't know a ton about the specs of the custom device, but the Amtek boasts an Intel Atom N270 processor, up to 2GB of RAM, a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, an 80GB hard drive, and a 10.2-inch 1,024 x 600 resolution display, plus a 1.3-megapixel camera, dual speakers, and WiFi. There's no word on cost of the prototype, nor if and when it'll head into production. Check the sweet video of Oliver demoing after the break.[Via 01Blog]
Trigem's $500 LLUON Mobbit MID goes on sale, wackiness ensues
Hard to believe but after three years (almost to the day) a MID / UMPC running a Microsoft OS with a $500 MSRP is finally out for retail. Trigem's LLUON mobbit is available in two configurations of which the lesser lists for KRW699,000 or about $490. A KRW799,000 ($560) presumably adds the listed WiBro spec for Korean style WiMaxing. That meager sum takes home a 13.2-ounce box o' XP with 1GB of memory, a 30GB disk, 4.8-inch 1,024 x 600 touchscreen with stylus, Bluetooth, WiFi, and 2 megapixel camera all riding Intel's Atom Z520 processor. Not bad... not beautiful by any stretch but significant enough to elicit maniacal behavior amongst devoted UMPC fanboys everywhere. Update: It appears that the WiBro model is actually the cheaper of the two. The lower price resulting from a required 18 month subscription.[Via CNET Asia]
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]
Viliv uncovers gorgeous X70 Atom Communication MID
Maybe we're just hot for sleek, thin, ultra sexy renders of handheld computing devices, but we dare anyone to call the unit pictured above unsightly (and mean it). Shortly after showcasing its swiveling S7 at CES, Viliv has taken the wraps off of its X70 Atom Communication MID. The handheld comes stocked with a 1.33GHz Atom Z520 CPU, a 7-inch WSVGA touchscreen, your choice of a 30GB / 60GB hard drive or an 8GB / 16GB SSD, Windows XP or Linux, a battery good for six hours of continuous movie playback, 1GB of RAM, WiFi, Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, an SD / SDHC card slot, optional WiMAX / HSDPA modules, stereo speakers, a USB port and a built-in microphone for good measure. There's nary a mention of pricing / availability, but we're almost ready to hand over whatever it takes. Almost.[Via iTechNews]
The e-Loam F7: it will drive you completely insane with jealousy
Been hankering for a cheapo UMPC? Perhaps the folks at e-Loam can answer your strained prayers. Enter the F7, a VIA C7-based handheld with a 1.2GHz CPU, 1GB of RAM, a 8GB (or 80GB) hard drive, WiFi, and... not much else. The teensy device boots XP, has Bluetooth, a 0.3 megapixel webcam, and features a resistive 7-inch touchscreen (cool stylus included). There's not much more info on this guy right now, but based on the pictures, it appears to have stereo speakers, and Pocketables speculates there may be an optical mouse somewhere in this mix. Regardless, we spent this whole post trying to figure out how loam -- a fertile soil of clay and sand containing humus -- fits into the picture.[Via Pocketables]
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]
Video: Viliv S7 hands on and VAIO P comparo
As promised, we've made a run over to check out Viliv's forthcoming S7 netbook tablet, bringing along the ever-popular VAIO P to see how the two stack up (as well as an Eee 1000H for good measure). As you can see, the S7 actually isn't that much larger than the Sony, maybe 30 percent thicker and a little bit wider, but also a bit shorter. The thing manages to find room for a track pad on top of the keyboard, but it's an awfully small one, so thank goodness for the (non-multi) touch screen. Also small is that keyboard, which is one of the most painful we've yet experienced on a netbook, featuring arrow and punctuation keys that even a pygmy would fat-finger. But, compromises must be made when making machines small, and small this one is. Viliv has written a custom skin that overlays the Windows XP install, demonstrated in a video below. It's reasonably pleasant to use (minimizing the need to rely on that tiny trackpad), but is also easy to exit if you're not feeling it. We already know the specs of this tiny convertible, so the only mysteries left are "when" followed immediately by "how much." The answers we received to those questions are unfortunately a bit vague: "before this summer" and a rather predictable "less than the VAIO P." We're guessing it'll be a lot less. Oh, and for those examining the gallery, don't worry about the rough edges you might spy: this is a pre-production S7, so things should be a good bit more polished when it hits retail.%Gallery-41617%
Viliv's S7 ultra-portable gets official specs, but not a release date
Viliv's S7 "productivity MID" got announced in August at the Intel Developer Forum, and, while we were impressed by the form factor and the promise, it's always hard to get too excited without a full spec sheet and an MSRP. Now at CES we're still in the dark about price (and availability), but are finally hearing just what's going on under the keyboard; Atom processors in 1.3GHz and 1.6GHz flavors, a 7-inch, 1024 x 600 screen, 1GB of RAM, and either 16GB worth of SSD or 60GB served up on platters. Wireless connectivity is handled over 802.11b/g, WiMAX, and HSDPA, and the device promises "blueray HD video playback" -- which we're taking to mean it can display 1080p footage without completely choking, but we're not sure just where that video would come from given the lack of optical drive. But, hey, look at that sexy picture! Rest assured we'll prop this up against a VAIO P as soon as we can get our hands on one. [Via UMPC Portal]
Velocity Micro delivers NoteMagix M10 netbook and M5 UMPC
Answering the call for yet another netbook in the world is Velocity Micro, who has graciously provided us with the NoteMagix M10 (pictured) here at CES. The 10.1-inch machine includes a 4-cell battery for up 5 hours of usage, 802.11b/g WiFi, a 2.6 pound chassis, Windows XP running the show and a custom carrying case to really showcase its awesomeness. Never mind those trivial tidbits like CPU model / speed, RAM quantity and GPU type -- Velocity Micro clearly thinks you don't even need 'em. Moving on, we've got the even more portable 4.8-inch NoteMagix M5 UMPC, with packs a touchscreen display, full QWERTY keyboard, WiFi, Bluetooth, integrated 3G WWAN and 5 hours of battery life. Both machines should be available later this Spring for prices that are currently unknown.[Via NotebookReview]
Mio's Windows Mobile-powered concept MID hands-on
Well, what have we here? While waltzing about the CES floor today, we stumbled upon a conceptual Mio MID that looks suspiciously like Sony's VAIO P. The currently unnamed device was actually lookin' pretty sharp, as it boasted a 7-inch WVGA (800 x 480) resolution display, integrated WiFi, a non-removable battery good for eight hours or so and a full QWERTY keyboard. It was also packing a trackball setup, an SD card slot, a few USB ports and audio in / out. We were told that the design was still being finalized and that it wouldn't ship until mid-2009 at the earliest, and while we'd love to see this piece ship Stateside, we have our doubts. Oh, and did we mention that this thing runs on an evidently skinned version of Windows Mobile? Because it does. Peek the gallery below if you're in disbelief.%Gallery-41230%
iriver gets proper with WAVE WiFi phone, D50N PMP and P35 MID
Ah, ha! Now we're cooking with gas. iriver teased us here at CES with a few ho hum offerings, but the real punch comes courtesy of its new networked line of devices. The outfit is getting super official with its long (long!) awaited W10 WAVE WiFi phone, which will boast a 3-inch WQVGA (480 x 272) touchscreen, 4GB of NAND memory, USB 3.0 connectivity, an FM radio module, web browser and all the usual cellphone amenities. Moving on, we've got the P35 PMP, which brings with it a 4.3-inch WQVGA touch panel, the outfit's SPINN platform, built-in mic / speaker, TV output, 16GB of storage, a microSD slot, USB 2.0, WiFi, DMB mobile TV (in certain regions) and support for basically every file format imaginable. Lastly, we've got the totally intriguing D50N Multimedia Networking Device. The MID-like unit serves primarily to surf the web and facilitate IM conversations, as it touts a 4.8-inch WVGA (800 x 480) touchscreen, full QWERTY keyboard, 16GB of NAND Flash and an e-dictionary (among other things). Pricing / availability have yet to be announced, but all the other juicy details are just beyond the break.%Gallery-40251%
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]
Nova Mobile debuts rugged SideArm 2 UMPC
Nova Mobile seems to have been churning out a series of incremental upgrades to its original SideArm UMPC for a good long while now, but the company looks to be making a fresh start at CES, where it is set to debut the all new Side Arm 2. Like the original, this one is a fully ruggedized device, and includes a 7-inch touchscreen display, a full QWERTY keypad, an unspecified Atom processor, built-in GPS, a promised 10+ hours of battery life, and a wide range of configuration options, including SSD drives up to 64GB and optional 3G connectivity, to name a couple (WiMAX is apparently also on tap for Q2). No word on a price just yet, but you can be sure that Nova Mobile isn't going after a piece of the netbook market with this one.
Aeeeris kit turns Eee into UMPC, is later killed by Seeephiroth
Eee-branded tablets and UMPCs may be coming, but if you want one right now your only option is to do it yourself. You could go the duct tape DIY route, but those looking for a more aesthetically pleasing path should instead think about ordering up an Aeeeris conversion kit. It's basically a $60 reverse-facing replacement bezel for a 700-series netbook, providing indentations for the touch-screen LCD, its controller, and a pair of speakers (all sold separately). Supposedly the conversion is a "breeze," but after watching installation vids we're not so sure we'd agree with that -- nor the marketing spiel on the site that labels this as a low-cost solution for small businesses. Still, if you're looking for a tablet on the cheap, missed out on the $600 tx2500z last month, and don't have any qualms about dissecting your Eee, hit up the read link and order today.
FIC's 10.4-inch CW001 Mini-note splashes down in FCC database
First International Computer -- which is a majority owner in Everex and the manufacturer of the first OpenMoko handset -- has delivered an intriguing little machine to us courtesy of the oh-so-revealing FCC. The FIC CW001 Mini-note will arrive on US soil packing a 10.4-inch 1,024 x 600 resolution display, 802.11b/g WiFi, Bluetooth, up to 2GB of DDR2 RAM, a 1.3-megapixel webcam, 2.5-inch SATA II hard drive, dual USB 2.0 ports, a single ExpressCard slot, Intel's 945 GSE graphics, a 1.6GHz Atom CPU, an optical drive and a Windows-based (XP, presumably) OS. You'll also find an inbuilt microphone, headphone jack, VGA output, Ethernet socket, a 4-in-1 multicard reader and a 4-cell Li-ion good for around 4.5 hours of battery life. No telling if this will surface as yet another Cloudbook, but everything here hinges on the price. Then again, doesn't it always?
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]
ASUS R50A UMPC reviewed -- same internals as the VAIO P, runs Vista poorly
ASUS's R50A UMPC has been sort of lost in the company's flood of Eee PCs, and maybe for good reason -- the crew at UMPC Portal just reviewed the $2,000 handheld and came away unimpressed. Although the software package overall was described as "atrocious" and the lack of a keyboard was annoying, the biggest problems were all essentially related to running Vista on the 1.33GHz Atom Z520 CPU with 1GB RAM -- you can delete bloatware and use a bigger stylus, but you can't fix "pretty bad" performance on the lowest possible graphics settings. Ruh roh: Sony's upcoming VAIO P supposedly has a similar 1.33GHz Intel chip in it and runs Vista. Here's hoping Sony's got something a little more impressive up its sleeve for us than what ASUS managed to put together here -- otherwise the full R50A review at the read link might be discouragingly prophetic.
Gigabyte's M528 MID gets unboxed, photographed lots
We've already had the pleasure of checking out the Aigo Patriot in its natural habitat, and now we're finally being treated to the same with its Gigabyte-branded counterpart. The Atom-based MID has been unboxed all official-like over at UMPC Fever, and the photographer didn't even shy away from snapping a few with the lid off. Have a look yourself in the read link below, but don't get too attached -- so far as we can tell, it'll cost you a pretty penny to get it imported from a foreign land.[Via SlashGear]