Fujitsu UMPC sports fold-out keyboard
Mobilemag.com
I thought that Microsoft's Origami project – now better known as UMPCs or ultra-mobile PCs – was designed to fill the gap between PDAs and tablet PCs, so a touchscreen was an absolute must. However, for those of us who are used to have a QWERTY keyboard before us may find the innovation a little off-putting at first. That is why Fujitsu has dreamed up a CD-sized UMPC concept that sports a fold-out keyboard.
Showcased at a Japanese design exhibition at Triennale di Milano, the Fujitsu UMPC has a form factor that is much more laptop-like, with the keyboard folding out to the side. I'm immediately reminded of the Game Boy Advance SP, and based on the specs, this Fujitsu UMPC isn't going to be much larger than Nintendo's handheld gamer.
In related news, Fujitsu is also demonstrating a "flexible-use PC" that is completely wireless. There are three components – keyboard, display and computer – that can act relatively independently, meaning you can grab the display and use it as a tablet PC while still wirelessly connected to the computer itself.
Origami UMPCs to Feature Special Media Center Extender Software
eHomeUpgrade
Julie Jacobson at CE Pro informed us on some interesting news concerning the 
new Origami UMPC handhelds trickling onto the market as we speak. It looks like Microsoft has created special Media Center Extender software to run on Origami based UMPCs. I've openly questioned the market for these devices at the current price points of $700 up to $1500. However, as a Media Center Extender, the potential for Origami opens up substantially, as Julie notes as well.
If you have automation software for MCE, you can use the Origami touchscreen to control the house.
Until she noted this, it hadn't occurred to me that $700 is not bad for a remote home automation touchscreen controller. Existing touchscreen devices on the market for home automation can run upwards of a few thousand dollars with far more limited functionality. The market for the Origami handheld may just be found in this niche. Great point, Julie!
There's not a formal date for the MCX software, though it is going to happen, according to Todd Rutherford, MS program manager for eHome Control.
Our goal at both UMPCS. COM and TabletPc2.com is to provide you with the most accurate and up-to-date information available.
One look at the first page was all it took to see that the manual was not current so we saw no reason to draw attention to it.
Driving readers to our site with information we know is inaccurate is not the way we choose to do business. That said, we would never knowingly or intentionally post information we know is false, incorrect or misleading.
Stephen Toub from Microsoft recently put together an incredible white paper and sample on the development of the Suduko game that we're shipping with the Ultra Mobile PC touch pack. What a wonderful piece of work, the white paper reads well and covers development for touch based machines or tablets from end to end. His code is superb just a great example every Mobile PC developer should read through and examine… Hope you all have fun with this.
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Ultra Mobile PC (UMPC) information is slowly becoming available. We have a good idea on the manufacturers, the release dates, and price ranges. However, some of the technical details are still not clear. Fortunately, Martin from TabletKiosk took some time out of his busy schedule to let us know some information about the TabletKiosk eo V7110:
1. The eo V7110 does NOT support screen rotation
2. The highest screen resolution on the system screen is 1024 x 600 – on an outside monitor connected to the Cradle will depend on the External Display.
3. The A-Menu is not programmable - the Launch pad however is fully programmable.
4. The standard 30GB is 4200 RPM -the 40+ GB HDD's are 5400RPM
5. The back of the case must be removed to address the memory and HDD, therefore this will have to be done at an authorized service center or the warranty on the system will be Void.
6. The unit has a single DDR2 Module (533 MHz)
7. The unit will ship with Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition O/S, Origami Touch-Kit, Experience Pack, Education Pack and MS OneNote (full copy)
8. A recovery CD pack will ship with each unit - no recovery on the disk.
Thank you Martin. Hope this helps everyone else, too. I was certainly curious.
GoalEnforcer is a visual goal setting and monitoring application that is designed to maximize the display on small screen devices. The developers are advertising that a UMPC optimized version is on the way which shows again how developers are expecting sales numbers to be high. I have not used GoalEnforcer myself but it looks like a very nice and light way to do light project tracking in a visual manner. Here are the features of the program:
Visual Organizer- Project Manager
- Task Manager
- Progress Report
- Generator
It looks like a very useful program and one that would fit the expected usage of the Origami perfectly. The program is currently 50% off regular price and is only $14.95 right now on the product web site.
"The bottom line in launching this new ultra-mobile PC named 'Sens Q1' is to put 
together full PC functions, mobility and broadband connection," said Kim Houn-soo, executive vice president of Samsung Electronics, at a news conference held in southern Seoul yesterday.
Targeting the uncharted middle ground between personal digital assistants and laptop computers, Sens Q1 sports 7-inch wide flat screen, Intel's new 900Mhz microprocessor, 40GB hard disk drive, 512Mb memory, wireless LAN, Bluetooth connection and other multimedia features like digital multimedia broadcasting, while weighing just 777 grams.
Microsoft offers the Windows Tablet PC operating system as well as new software customized for the new PC, while Intel provides a new type of microprocessor that has slashed the battery consumption rate drastically. The introduction of the ultra-mobile PC by the three information technology heavyweights is likely to have an impact on the existing portable digital devices like PDA, portable multimedia player as well as full-functional laptop computers.
The Q1 is the latest brainchild of the three-pronged partnership that is expected to strengthen their business relations further, though they are competing with each other in overlapping fields.
We’ve seen several more ultra-mobile PCs since the first “Origami” device was announced, but none of them have had their own keyboards – until now.
The Averatec AHI, due for launch this autumn, features a 5-inch screen that slides up to reveal – in true T-Mobile Sidekick II fashion – a QWERTY keyboard. None of this tapping on the screen to write an email stuff here.
The screen is still touch sensitive, however, so you don’t need to pop out the keyboard all the time – just when you want to write something substantial.
Other touted specs include a 30GB hard drive, Wi-Fi and 3G connectivity and 512MB of RAM, and it’ll all come in a box that weighs 700g and measures 186 x 90 x 33mm. A price range of £350 to £625 is also suggested, making this quite a bit cheaper than Samsung’s Q1.
It will also go on sale in May in the U.S., Europe, CIS and China at prices yet to be announced, said Lee.
Origami machines run a tablet version of the Windows XP operating system and are intended to fit in the market between laptop PCs and PDAs (personal digital assistants). Samsung's Q1, for example, has a 7-inch LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor and is about half the size of an average laptop PC and lighter. It measures 22.7 centimeters by 13.9 cm by 2.6 cm and weighs 779 grams
Other specifications are slightly below those of a typical laptop PC. The Q1 is based on an Intel Celeron M processor running at 900MHz. It has 512M bytes of memory and a 40G-byte, hard-disk drive. There is a wired and wireless LAN adapter, Bluetooth and a Compact Flash card slot that could be used for other types of modem.
Samsung Q1 gets $1,200 price tag in Korea
engadget
We've seen the official price for the TabletKiosk eo ($900). Now another UMPC has gotten its first official price, and it's an even further cry from the original "about $500" price point once expected for these devices. The Korean version of the Samsung Q1, expected to go on sale next month, will go for close to W2 million, or roughly $2,000 W1,199,000 (about $1,250). Sure, the Korean version comes bundled with a DMB TV receiver, USB keyboard, auto adapter and other accessories, but considering that just about every phone, PMP or electric toothbrush sold in Korea seems to include DMB, and you can get a full-fledged tablet PC for well under $2,000, we really have to wonder who Samsung's targeting with this (other than, of course, the usual coterie of fans who will pick up anything promoted by a team of spokesmodels).
Update: 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. Not exactly a huge bargain, but certainly better than the price we originally reported. We've updated the headline and post above. Thanks to everyone who caught this.
Samsung has scheduled an event for next month to mark the U.S. release of its Q1 ultramobile PC, the first brand-name device to launch using Microsoft's Origami concept.
The Korean electronics giant did not offer any new details on the product in its e-mail invitation to journalists, but said it would launch the product at an event in San Francisco on May 1
Announcing the I Love UMPC Contest
origamiproject.net
So, wipe off that drool and grab a keyboard – we’ve got a really cool contest for you! With a little work and creativity, you could be one of five winners to get your very own Samsung Q1 and Slingbox device. How awesome is that? 
Ten runners-up will get an authentic origamiproject.com t-shirt. Ok, I admit it's less exciting but hey at least you know you were close to winning the big prize.
We’ve read through the forums and are thrilled at all the great suggestions you’ve given us for how you think a UMPC would be useful to you. Now’s your chance to write up your suggestions in more detail AND get a chance to win this great combo courtesy of Samsung and Sling Media. Click on I Love UMPC Contest for all the details.
My kids like calling it “the Origami” and “the Oreo”, my son says it feels just like a
PSP or Gameboy, others refer to it as a UMPC or Ultra Mobile PC – whatever it is we name it, it is obvious that Microsoft and Intel have isolated a real “personal” niche. TabletKiosks eo is our real first look at this new form factor and the “Origami experience”. Please use this video review and my “initial thoughts” post as a total review on the TabletKiosk eo and the Origami experience.
The first thing most of us will do, when we recieve our shiny new UMPC, is connect to our favorite flavor of 802.11 and go for a surf. What I came across two days ago prepared me for something else.
I was recently contacted by Gilad Grinbaum of G Innovations; I found his enthusiasm infectious and contagious enough to get me in the car and drive to the centre of Sydney. At his office I was greeted by fists full of cables, PCB, cameras, touchscreens and more – my type of place.
We spent a few hours together while he presented me with the world’s first IP (Internet Protocol) based home automation system, dubbed the Superna System. I was immediately impressed with the ease of use and fascinated with the implications for our space, Tablet PC.
Superna is the brainchild of Arik Vardi (one of the 4 who set up ICQ) and his brother Oded. They’ve put together an exquisite software package that enables the most flexible form of home automation I’ve ever experienced. When coupled with the Superna Controller (hardware that makes the cogs turn) it is an outstanding example of things to come.
The following video is a short demonstration (adhoc, as I would have liked another take but had no time) of Ultra Mobile PC as a device for something other than surfing the internet. I decided to post the video because I'd like to see other bloggers post about Ultra Mobile PC as a functional device, not just a cool one.
Market sources indicated that Microsoft originally planned to partner with VIA Technologies to promote its "Origami" Ultra-Mobile PC (UMPC), as VIA's C7-M embedded processor is priced at US$700-800, compared to the Intel Celeron M and Pentium M series at US$1,200-1,400. VIA's chip, however, is not preferred by OEM vendors, including Samsung Electronics and Asustek Computer, because of Intel's stronger brand awareness and R&D capability, according to the sources.
Samsung, however, could be in the development phase of incorporating VIA's C7-M embedded processor in UMPC models, the sources stated.
VIA's C7-M embedded processor has been adopted by Japan's PBJ, DualCor and TabletKiosk, according to the company, which believes that its embedded processor line will be a major contributor to its performance in 2006.
A new patent application filed on behalf of Apple Computer suggests the company might be planning its own implementation of the UltraMobile PC concept.
A patent filing spotted by UMPC News covers a touch-screen keyboard on a product that resembles the UMPC or Origami devices introduced by Intel and Microsoft last month. The application describes a virtual QWERTY keyboard that covers one half of a screen. It looks a bit like the virtual keyboard that
will be used on Origami devices, except that Microsoft's version splits the keyboard into two pieces on opposite sides of the screen, according to the Origami Project's blog.
Mac OS X already has a feature called Inkwell that can translate handwritten notes into text, and the company has worked on touch-screen technology in the past. Samsung is expected to launch its first Origami device May 1.
Although Microsoft recently unveiled an 'ultra-mobile personal computer,' or UMPC, in a move to fill a market niche between laptops and handheld computers, it remains to be seen whether this latest innovation from the software giant will be a hit or flop. While Microsoft is following a "build-it-and-it-will-sell" strategy with the UMPC, technology history is littered with innovative products that never found a market, say experts at Wharton. As Wharton professor of operations and information management Eric K. Clemons puts it: "Build-it-and-it-will-sell strategies are a mixed bag."
Regardless, the initial reaction to the UMPC, announced by Microsoft on March 9, will become clear in just a few months. The first UMPCs -- small computers with 7-inch screens that are designed to occupy a niche for consumers who want a device larger than a handheld yet smaller than a laptop -- are expected in the second quarter ending June 30 from electronics manufacturers such as Samsung, Founder and Asus. UMPCs, priced between $599 and $999, promise to run all the applications that a Microsoft Windows desktop computer does.
On the plus side, products like cell phones and the iPod didn't initially strike consumers as must haves, but became big hits. On the other side of the ledger, products like Apple Computer's Newton, a handheld computer that debuted in August 1993, was a commercial flop in large part because its handwriting recognition software didn't perform well. Microsoft, for its part, has attempted to create new categories of computers before, as with its Tablet PC, which analysts say has yet to be a big seller beyond select industries such as health care and financial services. However, even commercial flops can be deemed a success if they blaze a path to new categories of products. For instance, Apple's Newton was an early disappointment, but forged the way for handhelds like the Palm Pilot 1000, launched in March 1996.
So what will be the fate of Microsoft's UMPC, formerly codenamed "Origami"? According to Clemons, there is potential for the devices, but he won't know how much until he gets to play with one
This Cartoon Strip posted by our friends at GottabeMobile.com is just too ammusing not to share!
At the Maker Faire today, I visited the UMPC Experience Area in the Microsoft section of the Faire. When I arrived, there were only a few attendees near the UMPCs, so I got to spend about 20 minutes with the TabletKiosk eo prototype. Later, I spent a few minutes with the Founder and Samsung prototypes. I did not try the ASUS. Near the end of the day, I attended a 30 minute presentation on the UMPCs.
- All 3 devices seemed responsive and not sluggish at all during my interactions.
- The Touch Pack program launcher is very pleasant.
- DialKeys will take some getting used to, but I think it will be only slightly less usable than the treo keyboard.
- Attendees seemed a little skeptical, but impressed.
- The Founder UMPC is really thin compared to the Samsung and eo.
- I agree with JK when he says that you can rest your hand on the screen without it interfering with your writing. That’s nice!
- The screen zooming is faster than I expected and much more readable than I expected, although several control panels (touch optimizations, system) become blank grey windows at the scaled 1024 resolution.
- Browsing the web with the UMPC form factor was great.
- I like the touch point mouse embedded in the eo. I’m guessing that some old DirectX full screen games won’t respond well to the touch screen, so an external mouse or a touch point is going to be useful in those cases. The Samsung doesn’t have a similar feature.
The portrait mode, dual microphones, stereo speakers, CF slot and Ethernet port are clear advantages for the Samsung over the eo. The eo’s cradle option and touchpoint are its advantages.
I'm Steve the product manager of DialKeys at Fortune Fountain Ltd.
I just saw your review of the EO and your comments about DialKeys usability and would like give you some more information:
The keyboard can be displayed/hidden by running a small program called showhide located in the DialKeys directory. The keyboard button should launch this program or activate directly the code necessary hide/show DialKeys as does the application Launcher. We can’t from our side program those keys as they are fully under the control of specific EOM drivers, but we would be glad to help EOM to integrate it.
The concept is that DialKeys should be displayed only when text needs to be input, else the user hides it by the press of a button and presses the button again when he need to input text again.
The digitizer of the EO has maid the tradeoff to be somewhat sensible to the pen and the fingers, while the other EOMs have decided in favor of the ease of use by fingers. This hinders full screen inking and requires to press hard on the screen with the fingers. We believe resistive touch screens should have no palm rejection as this allows the best touch experience, and for the best full screen inking active digitizer are the way to go. The best of both worlds will only be merged when dual touch sensors will become available.
TabletKiosk has posted an open letter explaining the shipping delays for many of the TabletKiosk orders.
As the end of April rapidly approaches, we find ourselves in the position of having to balance our commitment to quality with the expectation of a timely product delivery. After the process of quality control was completed on the first eo™ production units, it was determined that there was an issue in the tooling of the back panel that affected the operation of the system fan. Because of this problem, the back panel had to undergo a slight redesign and thus the initial shipment is going to be only a fraction of what we had anticipated.
Good for TabletKiosk for making sure the UMPCs work before shipping.
The UMPC is equipped with Microsoft¡¯s Windows XP, including the various applications that comes with, but only weighs around 800g. But there are serious drawbacks. The screen measures a mere 7 inches, while the price is a hefty W1 million (US $1,000). For that, customers get a battery life of a paltry two or three hours.
By contrast, so-called mini laptops also weigh no more than 1 kg and can thus compete on an equal footing with the UMPC in terms of portability. Mini laptops too provide users with all the features available on existing PCs. But mini laptops, too, come with a minuscule screen of less than 10 inches.
Then there are tablet PCs. They have in common with the UMPC that users can operate the device without a keyboard. They can use it just like a laptop but also separate the screen from the body and carry it around on its own. Fujitsu¡¯s tablet PC released last year was equipped with an 8.9-inch touch screen and weighed only 0.99 kg.
Samsung to ship first ultra-mobile PC in June
Computeractive
Samsung is bringing out the Q1, the first device to conform to the new ultra-mobile PC form factor, on June 1, costing £799.
Ultra-mobile PCs (UMPC), which were codenamed Origami, are small hand-held devices that have been heavily pushed by Microsoft and Intel.
Pre-production devices got their first public showing simultaneously at Cebit and the Intel Developer Forum in the US in early March, and the Q1 will be the first to hit the streets.
Weighing just 779g, the Q1 runs Windows XP Tablet Edition and uses an Intel Celeron processor. As well as being fully-functioning computers, UMPCs are designed to be entertainment on the move devices that can handle mp3s, photos and videos.
Microsoft and Intel have pushed them as part of their any time any where computing concept, that can get online, be used for VoIP communication, entertain or be used for business purposes
On May 1, Samsung Electronics will start selling its Q1 ultra-mobile PC (UMPC), the first of a new breed of handheld device that Microsoft and Intel hope will change the way people use computers.
However, don't look for a revolution to happen overnight. "The opportunities are big but I think the turning point is still in the future, not tomorrow," said Dadi Perlmutter, senior vice president and general manager of Intel's Mobility Group.
We are now playing with the first wave of something," he said.
Based on the Origami platform developed by Microsoft and Intel, Samsung's Q1 runs the Tablet PC version of Windows XP and boasts a seven-inch touch-screen LCD panel and a 900-MHz Celeron M processor. With a price tag of around $1200, Samsung expects to sell 400,000 of the devices over the next year
"Because they are experts in the mobile market, Apex Software is an ideal distribution partner to market our new device," said Martin Smekal, president of TabletKiosk(TM). We are pleased to welcome Apex Software as a new TabletKiosk(TM) distributor."
About TabletKiosk(TM)
TabletKiosk(TM) is a leading provider of Tablet PC solutions, specializing in finger-driven touch screen and pen-based digitizer Tablet PCs. TabletKiosk also offers a full line of unique accessories, such as hands-free carrying cases, presentation stands, docking stations, and many other Tablet PC-related items. For more information, visit www.tabletkiosk.com.
Grappling with Origami
PC Advisor - London,UK
PC Advisor was treated to an in-depth briefing on Samsung’s Q1 mini notebook yesterday and is currently in the process of putting one of the first review models through its paces.
The Q1, based on Microsoft's 'Origami' blueprint, has been developed in conjunction with Intel. The Q1 will be the first UMPC (ultramobile PC) to be launched, possibly several months ahead of an Origami-based Asus unit.
Origami folds together several functions: highly portable notebook computing, a portable media player with MP3 and video playback, PDA-style touchscreen entry, multi-gigabyte storage and, in the case of the Q1, GPS navigation. An Asus spokesman informed us that its own iteration of Origami will sport GPS. He hinted that Asus’ take on Origami will be cheaper than Samsung’s £799 inc VAT Q1.
Although it has a 7in WXGA widescreen touch-sensitive display, the Samsung Q1 has no optical drive, so users will be reliant on copying video files from a PC to enjoy them on the move.
Origami devices are designed to showcase Intel’s ultra low-power processors with batteries that can last a whole working day. They represent yet another stab at flogging the Tablet PC operating system by Microsoft.
Samsung says the Q1 will have a maximum battery life of 3.5 hours and a video playback time of just 1hr 40mins. Unsurprisingly, one of the accessories it has already developed is an ‘extended’ battery pack that will boost longevity to seven hours. Another option will be a Power Bank 8 Cell offering nine hours of battery life.
Samsung was, however, keen to stress that the Q1 will be the first of several Origami devices. The spokesperson was not at liberty to disclose what or when new models were likely to be announced.
Judging from the approach Samsung is taking to the markets it claims it is aiming for - education, medical, industrial and other vertical markets as well as consumers - it is playing the watch-and-wait game in terms of where it will take its Origami line next.
Origami PC to sell 7.8m units by 2011
VNUNet.com
The market for Ultra Mobile PC (UMPC) that Intel and Microosft are pushing, could reach 7.8m units by 2011, provided that the device solves several issues, analyst firm In-Stat wrote a new study. 
Intel and Microsoft unveiled the UMPC last month. The device features an adapted version of the Windows operating system, a 30-60Gb hard drive and 7 inch screen. Battery life is estimated to be around 2.5 hours for the early models that are due out later this year.
The UMPC's success depends in part on the emergence of high speed wireless technologies that offer users access to their data at all times. Vendors furthermore need to create comprehensive subscription bundles that offer both wireless connectivity and access to premium content such as streaming music and video, argued Jim McGregor, a principal analyst with In-Stat.
"We need to really look at the hardware but also at the services model. The biggest constraining factor is consolidating that and bringing down its price level and complexity," McGregor told vnunet.com.
If those issues aren't resolved, the device by 2011 will appeal mostly to niche markets and unit shipments will be limited to 3.8m, McGregor projected.
The firm expects sales to ramp up by next year, with device makers selling between 100,000 and 210,000 units in 2007.
Origami It's UMPC for France
Mobilemag.com
While the name of this device will cause a furrowed eyebrow or two over in English-speaking countries, I guess the “Origami It’s” (yes, that’s its name) makes perfect sense to the people of France where this UMPC is set to be released. The Origami It’s is being designed and sold by a company known as “It’s Label”, and will sport a VIA C7M NaNo processor (which is to be priced cheaper than the Intel-based units) of up to 1GHz.
New way to get the news
Seattle Post Intelligencer
It won't hit the doorstep with a satisfying thud, or crinkle pleasantly in the hands. But Bill Gates on Friday showed a computer program meant to imitate -- and improve upon -- the experience of reading ink on newsprint.
Speaking in Seattle to a convention of the nation's newspaper editors, the Microsoft Corp. chairman brought out executives from The New York Times to demonstrate prototype software that displays text and images on the computer screen in much the same way as in the paper.
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Participants at a newspaper editors convention Friday look at an enlarged version of a computer screen displaying an edition of The New York Times. |
"We think this is a milestone in terms of online reading," Gates told the American Society of Newspaper Editors.
Unlike a traditional Web browser, the program downloads news stories and advertisements to the hard drive in advance, allowing the content to be read even when the machine isn't connected to the Internet. It lets readers make annotations and flip quickly through pages, among other features.
It also morphs the page layout on the fly to work with smaller screens and devices. As an example, Gates held up a tiny Ultra-Mobile PC from Samsung that resulted from Microsoft's once-secret Origami Project.
It's "the first electronic experience that I feel comes close to capturing the comfort and the convenience of reading a paper publication," Tom Bodkin, New York Times assistant managing editor and design director, said while showing the prototype program.
Microsoft wouldn't charge individually for the software program. However, it would play into the company's financial interests by relying on technology to be included in Windows Vista, the next version of its lucrative computer operating system.
The program comes as the newspaper industry tries to find new ways of reaching readers and generating revenue. But Gates was careful to note that Microsoft wouldn't be meddling in the newspaper business -- implicitly addressing the fears that come up whenever the software giant involves itself in new ways with another industry.
multimedia wherever they want. 
