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Gigabyte looking to unveil U60 UMPC at CeBIT?
It seems like just about everyone is testing out the questionable UMPC waters of late, as just days after seeing the niche BumbleBee offering, Gigabyte is purportedly looking to dish out a handheld computer of its own at next month's CeBIT. Although details are admittedly scant, the proposed U60 will tout a swank slide-out / split keyboard approach, a 6.5-inch 800 x 600 resolution display, integrated 802.11b/g, your choice of 20GB / 30GB 1.8-inch hard drives, a pair of USB ports, SD / MMC flash card readers, and a mysterious C7-M processor. Unfortunately, that's about all the information that's been leaked on the 1.59-pound device thus far, but we should know plenty more when the floor opens up in mid-March.[Via UnwiredView]
Via Epia PX motherboard spawns Pico-ITX SFF form-factor
Although it wasn't too awfully long ago that AMD unveiled what it hoped would become an accepted standard for small form factor PCs, it looks like Via is already trying to one-up DTX. The forthcoming Epia PX media-oriented motherboard will clock in at just 3.9- x 2.8-inches, which provides "half the surface area of its already-tiny 4.7- x 4.7-inch Nano-ITX" standard and looks utterly dwarfed beside the 6.7- x 6.7-inch mini-ITX. Via's boards have become commonplace in applications which can sacrifice raw horsepower for low-power requirements and cool operation, such as being housed in Mini-Box's VoomPC-2. Consequently, the the Epia PX will purportedly tout just a 1GHz C7 processor (at least initially), and there's speculation that some flavors might actually support HDTV resolutions and video-in, but most of the expansion will be done through pin headers. Via hasn't opened its mouth to divulge details surrounding price nor availability, but it's assumed that this wee motherboard will run folks between $250 and $350 whenever it finally lands.
UMPC v2 roundup: the dawn of Vistagami
The UMPC is a relative no-show here at CES compared to its viral, CeBIT 2006 origins. Still, we managed to track down and get up close and personal with devices like the Kohjinsha SA1F00A, Samsung PH-P9000, OQO Model 02, and Medion and even checked a preview of the new Origami Experience UI for Vista. HTC's UMPC, which may or not be the Athena, is absent but there's still hope for a formal announcement in March at the CTIA wireless show. In a surreal moment, we even witnessed a visibly shaken Intel exec demonstrating "Yahoo! Go for UMPC" to Yahoo's CFO while a VIA exec (Intel's biggest competition on this platform) quietly snaked through the crowd nearby. Only at CES, friends. We also managed to extract the UMPC v2 reference designs from the recessed bowels of Intel -- displayed almost as an afterthought, not a highlight. The verdict? Vista on these new UMPCs coupled with the new Origami Experience UI is a big step in the right direction. The "Yahoo UMPC" reference design we saw at Intel's IDF felt very solid in the hand, and features a well positioned thumbpad we found easy to use while holding the device two handed -- a design which might have a chance of success if picked up by an OEM. Intel also has a few new reference designs under glass: a chubby, slim-screened slider and another perched in a fat brown media dock with integrated DVD and AV outs. The Medion? Forget it, the keyboard is plain and simply, unusable and the device felt poorly engineered. Word is that Intel will have their new, ultra-low power mobile processor for these v2 UMPCs ready before the end of Q2. That, coupled with Vistagami might finally give the platform a fighting chance this summer. Check the gallery for plenty of UMPC action. UMPC v2 roundup: the dawn of Vistagami
HTC to develop UMPC
Look out Samsung, Asus, and the rest, Taiwan's HTC is getting ready to light a fire under the saggy azz of the next gen UMPC platform much as they did for Microsoft's Windows Mobile. Hey, we can dream right? In an interview with the Seattle Times, HTC says they'll be hiring a 12-person engineering team into their US offices to drive some of the highest-level industrial design work in the company. Namely, devices for new high-speed, broadband networks that "mimic miniature, long-battery-life laptops that can make phone calls." According to Todd Achilles, HTC's VP of Sales and Marketing, their "ultramobile PC could be sold as early as next year." We've already seen HTC and UMPC-friendly Via in bed together on their OnDemand media distribution technology which might lend a hint at the niche HTC will target. Regardless, with HTC's US HQ in Bellevue, just down the road from Microsoft's, we should see some tightly integrated product in the coming year. What with a Toshiba DAP dubbed the Zune, is a Microsoft branded UMPC so hard to believe?[Via PDA 24/7]
Everex teams with VIA for NC1500, the "world's most energy efficient notebook"
We try not to get embroiled in these "world's bestest" sort of arguments, mainly due to the sort of research and journalistic integrity it would require on our part. That's why we're not going to get caught up in this "world's most energy efficient notebook" claim of VIA and Everex regarding the new StepNote NC1500 from Everex, but it is what it is, and we sure wouldn't mind some sort of performance-per-watt showdown between Intel, AMD and VIA, all vying for our holiday laptop dollar. However, the biggest news about the 1.5GHz VIA C7-M lappy is its price. Going for a mere $498, and coming to a Wal-Mart near you, the NC1500 packs in 512MB of RAM, a 60GB HDD, DVD burner, 1,280 x 800 15.4-inch LCD, 802.11b/g WiFi and includes VIA UniChrome Pro integrated graphics. Not a powerhouse by a long shot, but at 5.3 pounds, with a 1.5-inch to 0.9-inch taper, it's pretty hard to complain about this unit. Of course, we found a way: Everex includes a 3-cell lithium-ion battery that "averages +1.5 hours of mobile computing." Ouch.
VIA announces VX700 chipset for UMPCs
Hinted at last month by Microsoft, chip maker VIA has officially announced its VX700 chipset for Ultra Mobile PCs (otherwise known as UMPCs, in case you've been living in a cave) which promises to allow for smaller-sized devices with a much needed boost in battery life. In fact, VIA says devices could potentially be 40% smaller, although they haven't said exactly what the power savings will be in real-world terms. Based around VIA's C7-M and C7-M ULV processors, the 35-millimeter square chipset packs in VIA's UniChrome Pro graphics core and Vinyl HD Audio controller, along with support for DDR2 memory (up to 4GB), two each of either SATA 150 or SATA II devices, six USB 2.0 ports, four PCI slots, and one EIDE channel for up to two devices. It's only just going into mass production sometime this quarter, though, so it'll still be a while yet before we actually see any real world products -- Vistagami, anyone?[Via The Inquirer]
MiniPC's ED612E silent, mini-ish PC
Yeah, it's not as mini as those other minis, but if you're looking for that sweet sound of silence then the ET6512E from MiniPC might just be the way to go. Featuring a cool runnin' 1.2GHz VIA Eden proc, this fanless mini measures in at a medium 8.03 x 7.4 x 2.79-inches and 4.4-pounds. The specs don't make much noise either with 256MB (1GB max) DDR2 memory, a 40GB SATA disk, VIA CN700 graphics chipset, 4 x USB 2.0, Firewire, S/PDIF/composite video out, and even a couple of PS/2 jacks to get old-school. Still up for it? Ok, then prepare to fork-over the ¥78,750 or about $679 green when the ED612E drops later this month in Japan.[Via Impress]
MoBits preps X15 5.6 and 7-inch UMPCs
While they're nothing special -- or all that original -- in the looks department, Mobits' new X15 UMPCs are looking pretty juicy in the specs. Based on the snazzy new VIA CX700 chipset, which enables hardware TV encoding and WMV9 decoding, the X15s run on a VIA C7M 1GHz processor, and include 512MB or 1GB of DDR2 RAM. The real interesting thing is the displays, which according to the spec sheet run at 800 x 480 for the 7-inch model, and at 1024 x 600 for the 5.6-inch version. Could be a typo, but we're afraid some squinting might be in order. There's of course the standard fare of 802.11a/b/g and 30 or 60GB HDD, along with stereo speakers and a fingerprint sensor. Also included standard is a LAN port, TV-out and an SD card slot. The mouse pointer is the same as that on the TabletKiosk eo UMPCs, and there are options for a built-in camera, GPS, DVB-T and DVB-H. With the odd screen sizes we're not even sure which is which in the pictures, but we'll be sure to be dropping more deets as these get closer to launch.[Via Carrypad UMPC journal]
Microsoft plans update to "misleading" Vista Upgrade Advisor
If you've been frustrated because Microsoft's Vista Upgrade Advisor gave your blazing-fast, three-month-old, $10,000, gaming monster PC a bad rating, you're not alone. In addition to consumers, chipmakers such as VIA and AMD have commented to Microsoft about the program's deficiencies. Now, Microsoft, admitting that the results can be "misleading," plans to revise the tool, including changes to the user interface to make information more accessible, and possibly fine-tuning the results so that they're more in line with standard industry benchmarks. So, if your PC flunked the test, your best bet is to wait a while before splurging on upgrades -- besides, it's not like you don't have plenty of time before you'll need to be Vista-compatible.
DualCor cPC gets specs, launch date -- but no radios
DualCor Technologies has just released the final specs for their cPC "ultimate convergence device," and those who were looking forward to this model are bound to be horribly disappointed: not only will the production version lack cellphone capabilities out of the box as first promised, but the device contains no radios whatsover. That's right, if you want to get your WiFi, Bluetooth, or 3G on with the cPC, you'll need to bring your your own CF cards or USB dongles to get connected, which takes an awful lot of convenience out of a product designed to lighten your load. Besides the crushing lack of wireless, the rest of the specs seem decent enough, with the XP side of the device powered by a 1.5GHz Via processor that's backed by a full gig of DDR2 RAM. Both OSes can store data on the 30GB hard drive (and not 40GB as we previously reported) or the 1GB of NAND flash memory, with the Windows Mobile 5.0 side is supported by a 400MHz Intel PXA263 chip and 128MB of DRAM. GottaBeMobile is reporting that the cPC will be shipping within the next 90 days, though now that the product is devoid of any wireless capabilities, we're curious to see what type of customer actually picks one up. [Warning: PDF link][Via jkOnTheRun]
TabletKiosk eo UMPC delayed until June-ish
If you were one of those early-adopter types who pre-ordered your TabletKiosk eo V7110 UMPC, then you've probably already received the bad news. After selling-out their "entire initial production" stock (is that 10 or 10,000 units?), TabletKiosk is officially delaying what would have been the first UMPC to market with "most orders fulfilled by the beginning of June." It seems those first eos suffered a problem whereby the system fan was striking the unit's back panel which now must undergo a "slight redesign." We can only assume this affects shipments of the SmartCaddie in Japan and the It's UMPC version we've seen floating about France as well. Alas they won't be the first, but at least TabletKiosk will have the distinction of being the cheapest UMPC on the market come June.[Via cNet News]
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Intel behind high UMPC costs?
Wondering who to blame for high-priced UMPCs? According to "market sources" out of Taiwan, it's Intel -- and Asian manufacturers in the company's thrall. The story goes something like this: Microsoft really, really wanted the UMPC to be priced at around $700. And the company was all set to partner with VIA, which could have delivered the goods using its C7-M processor. However, manufacturers like Samsung and Asustek demurred, insisting that Intel, with its good name and R&D might, was the only way to go. That bumped pricing up to the $1,200 range, and soured the whole UMPC launch. Well, maybe. If that's the case, we still have to wonder why the VIA-powered TabletKiosk eo is going for $900. And we can't help but point out that both Samsung and Asustek have had no trouble spurning Intel before, pumping out AMD-powered computers when it suited them. Regardless, VIA may have the last laugh. Samsung is already planning a $700, VIA-powered UMPC for later this year, and if other companies follow, pricing for the mini-tablets may actually come down across the board. Whether that will goose demand enough to make this a solid product category is, of course, another story.[Via TG Daily]
Samsung to release $700ish UMPC by end of year
Telecoms Korea is quoting a Samsung company official who claims a low-cost, Via-based UMPC will be launched in the second half of 2006. While no model number has been released, it will be priced at "slightly over $700" undercutting that other Via-based TabletKiosk eo by about $200 or less than half of Samsung's own Q1 (pictured). We're still a few hundie above that $500 sweet spot, and we still have to wait and see what this new Sammy packs for specs and if that's Korean or US pricing they're referring to. Still, with prices dropping and that Media Center Extender on the horizon, well, we won't abandon this fledgling platform just yet.Also, while we're here, we wanted to issue an update to yesterday's Samsung Q1 post. As pointed out by several people, the Korean price will actually be W1,199,000 (about $1,250), not W2,000,000 (about $2,000), as reported yesterday. Not exactly a huge bargain, but certainly better than the price we originally reported.[Via UMPC Buzz]
Girls and hardcore gaming meet in the Home of Chrome
Billed as the first sports academy for competitive gaming, the Home of Chrome in Sweden is a venture set up by VIA to showcase the successful female Quake 4 team g0d (girlz of destruction). We assume the plan is to combine the appeal of micro-celebrities with the universal allure of gaming (and girl gamers in particular).It's an interesting move, and one that every pro team (or aspiring professional gamer) is looking on with envy. As the results of this experiment appear, we'll see if more sponsors decide to follow suit--as the play girlz blog points out, this is crying out for a TV show.
