UltraMobilePCs.com New Archive
March 2006
March 9 , 2006
The wait is over... Now The Fun Begins
Click here for our Expanded Coverage
of the Ultra Mobile PC - UMPC Launch
Formally known as Origami
Microsoft UMPC Site Is Now Live
The Ultra-Mobile PC is portable, lightweight, and configured to connect on the go. It’s the device that you’ll always want with you.
Featuring full Microsoft Windows XP functionality and the ability to touch, write, or type, the Ultra-Mobile PC is a powerful companion that lets you communicate, accomplish your tasks, and stay entertained and informed wherever life takes you.
Program Launcher makes it easy to get going
The Touch Pack is a preinstalled suite of software that is built on top of the Windows XP operating system, specifically designed for UMPCs by Microsoft.
The Touch Pack's Program Launcher organizes software programs into categories and it uses large buttons and icons to make it easy to find and launch your favorite applications. The Program Launcher's categories, backgrounds, and shortcuts are all customizable.
The Device You’ll Always
Want With You
Built to go everywhere, do everything
With powerful processors, big, bright displays, easy input options, and support for the latest connectivity standards, Ultra-Mobile PCs are ready for your life on the go.
Hardware Specifications
- Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005 OS
- Approximately 7” diagonal display (or smaller)
- Minimum 800 x 480 resolution
- Approximately 2 pounds
- Integrated touch panel
- WiFi- and Bluetooth-enabled
Check out the UMPC Hardware
please visit our sister site
TabletPc2.com
The Place for Tablet PC Comparisons, News, Reviews and Information
March 20 , 2006
Blogging with Origami - Day 2 ½
Whatisnew.com
I’m at the airport and ready to put this Ultra-Mobile PC to the test. How well does it travel?
So far, I’ve used while waiting in line and sitting at the gate. At the moment I am trying to decide if I should find a plug to charge the battery before this 3 hour flight or if I should just risk that I’ll stop wanting to use it.
I’m also asking myself if I am using it more or less than I use the other computers that I carrying with me. Sure, at the moment more. But is that just because this is a temporary system? I found that it was much easier to pull this little system out of my bag to use mainly because of the small size and low weight. Exactly why am I carrying two computers with me, when I could just use this one? :)
Microsoft Ultra Mobile PC developer resource site
microsof
Announcing the Ultra-Mobile PC
he ultra-mobile PC (UMPC) is a device-like computer that is small, mobile, and runs the full Windows operating system (currently Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005 and soon Windows Vista). The UMPC goes anywhere and does anything that your current computer can do. The UMPC accomplishes what many and varied portable devices do today, but because it runs the full Windows XP operating system, the UMPC does everything your desktop computer can.
- Smaller and lighter than traditional notebooks and laptops
- Multiple input methods: touch screen, stylus, hardware controls, speech, and optional Bluetooth or USB keyboard
- Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005 operating system
- Competitive pricing
Ultra-Mobile PC Development Quick Start Guide
The ultra-mobile PC (UMPC) is a fully functional computer running Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition. The UMPC has all the functionality of Microsoft Windows XP Professional with the additional pen and ink functionality of the Tablet PC. Future versions of the UMPC will run Windows Vista, continuing to make use of the Tablet PC feature set.
FAQ: The Origami ultramobile PC
ComputerWorld
Microsoft Corp. has finally unwrapped the mysterious Origami. Dubbed an ultramobile PC, or UMPC for short, it has elicited a mix of yawns and thumbs up. It's not for sale yet, but if you're wondering what the hype is about, this FAQ will shed some light.
What the heck is that thing? A PDA on steroids? Not exactly. It's more like a shrunken tablet PC. In fact, the device runs Windows XP Tablet PC edition with a few embellishments, so it offers most of the functionality of a bigger PC in a much smaller package.
Just how small is it? About 2 pounds. Not pocket-size, but smaller than most laptops.
Does Microsoft make UMPCs? No. It has spearheaded the development of these downsized devices, partnering with hardware manufacturers to offer another category of mobile PCs for users on the go. And of course, it's another device that feeds off a flavor of Microsoft's Windows operating system.
What about a keyboard? There are multiple ways to input text: Use the touch-screen or the included stylus, or connect a keyboard via a USB port or Bluetooth.
So, what did you mean about an embellishment to the Windows XP Tablet PC edition? With Vista, Microsoft's upcoming operating system, a new device running Windows XP would naturally draw yawns. However, Microsoft's softened the blow a little by throwing in new software called the Windows Touch Pack made especially for poking at UMPCs. It allows you to customize the interface and makes applications more touch-screen friendly. The pack also includes DialKeys, an application produced by Fortune Fountain Ltd., that's basically an on-screen, thumb-operated keyboard, a finger-friendly new skin for Windows Media Player and a version of the addictive puzzle game Sodoku.
March 21 , 2006
Mix06 photos
Whatisnew.com
Yesterday, Bill Gates showed the Mix06 audience the Samsung Ultra-Mobile PC.
Head on over to Whatisnew.com to see the rest of Loras photos.
March 21 , 2006
DyKnow Selected by Microsoft as One of 10 Independent Software Vendors to Participate in UMPC ISV Early Adopter Program
Program allows DyKnow
to ready its software for Microsoft’s new ultra-mobile PC
INDIANAPOLIS (March 21, 2006) — DyKnow, a leader in interactive education technology, announces Microsoft has selected the company as one of 10 independent software vendors (ISV) to participate in the Ultra-Mobile Personal Computer (UMPC) ISV Early Adopter Program. The program is designed to help ISVs optimize their software to support the UMPC and take their applications to market. DyKnow has tested and validated its DyKnow Vision and DyKnow Monitor software on the UMPC’s operating system.
March 24 , 2006
Formally known as the V700 (Origami), TabletKiosk's
UMPC now has a name of its own ....
TabletKiosk
eo V7110 Ultra-Mobile PC
TabletKiosks soon to be released eo v7110 UMPC
More details coming soon!
One 12-year old's opinion of TabletKiosk's Ultra-Mobile PC
Whatisnew.com
Mix06 has ended and I've returned home to Prescott. My 12-year old niece latched on to the black and white Ultra-Mobile PC (UMPC or Origami) by TabletKiosk. I followed her around while she was playing with it, and then later in the afternoon asked her a few quick questions on video. Kim played with it on a bench, on a rail, while sitting on the runners on the car, while perched on a rock, and eventually at a more conventional place -- a dining table.
Kim Playing Zoo Tycoon
Here's a 7 minute wmv file where you can watch the photos and video:
Q&A: Microsoft chairman Bill Gates
Builder AU, Australia
When do you think ultramobile devices will become mainstream devices - and even a PC replacement?
Well, it is a PC, and for a lot of people, it will be their second PC. And I'm a total believer in the tablet - I think it will be totally mainstream. Whatever it takes, Microsoft will be behind it to make it better and better. If I'm critical of us, I'd say that making it easy to have multiple PCs [and having] your "state" just show up on those PCs - that's been partly holding people back.
The Origami - you want to take it to meetings with you but you don't want to think about syncing before you walk out to that meeting. [The information] should just be there.
March 27 , 2006
TabletKiosk Introduces eo V7110
Ultra Mobile PC
TabletKiosk™ Introduces New UMPC Device
Torrance, CA, 3/27/2006
TabletKiosk™, a leader in Tablet PC and exhibit centric computing solutions, announces the much anticipated launch of their new Ultra Mobile PC, eo™ which will begin shipping the last week of April 2006.
eo™ represents the new generation of mobile computing. Measuring 9”W x 5.75”H x 1”D and weighing just under 2 pounds, eo™ is the most portable and convenient Tablet PC device for taking handwritten notes, accessing the internet, instant messaging, listening to music, viewing movies and playing games. eo™ enables you to connect, communicate and accomplish any task anywhere, any time, and be entertained and informed wherever life takes you.
eo™, named for the Latin word meaning to go, advance, or progress, was developed to meet the ever-changing needs of today’s highly mobile individuals by combining the power and compatibility of the full version of Microsoft® Windows® XP Tablet Edition with a lightweight “carry-everywhere” hardware design. As part of Microsoft’s Ultra Mobile PC initiative, eo™ features enhanced touch-screen capabilities with handwriting recognition and a revolutionary new, on-screen keyboard. For convenience and efficiency, eo™ also offers a wide range of other input options including the enhanced touch-screen via stylus, stereo microphone with voice recognition, and hardware controls that are easily adaptable for left or right handed users.
Loren and Lora took some video of the Founder Ultra-Mobile PC during Mix06.
The Founder MiniNote Ultra Mobile PC (UMPC) was used in the Car & Driver Magazine WPF demo, so it received quite a bit of attention once it was brought into The Sandbox. It is the thinnest and lightest UMPC that we've seen so far. The Founder has a mat black finish with red highlight and the buttons are very close together for quick thumb action.
March 29 , 2006
TabletKiosk eo V-7110 Ultra Mobile PC blends into everyday life
Whatisnew.com
One of the biggest challenges to that old, beige box PC, which is sitting on the
floor next to your desk, is something that blends into your home and life better than it and goes with you where you go. Enter UMPC. Good thing the two can actually be used together to extend where you can use your data.
When I had the TabletKiosk eo v7110 UMPC prototype, I snapped a few photos of it around the house. Below are photos from in the kitchen and on a bookshelf. I could have kept going and placed it on the piano with sheet music loaded in the Music Composition Tool power toy, sitting by the bed, or on the floor pillow in front of the TV. The eo can be used for common tasks, like checking email, reading recipes, reading books, taking notes, and more.
TabletKiosk Announces Ultramobile PC
ABC News
TabletKiosk said Tuesday that it plans to launch its ultramobile PC, the "eo," at the end of April.
Two versions will be available: an $899 standard model, and an $999 special offer with an upgraded hard drive, according to Gail Levy, the company's vice president of marketing. After the eo begins shipping during the last week of April, the "special" price will be eliminated, she said.
The eo, which measures 9 inches wide by 5.75 inches high by an inch deep and weighs just under 2 pounds, is one of the new class of "Ultramobile" or "Origami" PCs, which were designed by Microsoft to offer an alternative to the Tablet PC.
It l ooks like Samsung (and Microsoft) are not taking any chances in delaying the launch of Samsung's Q1 UMPC (Ultra Mobile PC). This baby has just got the nod from FCC, clearing its release in the US market.
Samsung Q1 Ultra Mobile PC was announced just a couple weeks back at CEBIT.
If you thought UMPCs -- which early rumors said could go for as little as $500 -- were going to be bargains, think again. The first model to get an official price, the 
TabletKiosk eo, is expected to sell for about $900. And, now we get word that Samsung's Q1 can be pre-ordered from eXpansys for a mere £799.95 (about $1,400). While it's not unusual for specialty resellers such as eXpansys to charge a markup over retail (and the price before VAT is somewhat cheaper -- £680, or about $1,180), the price makes the Q1 more expensive than many laptops, and not all that much cheaper than some full-featured tablet PCs. US pricing, once announced, will almost certainly be lower -- if not at retail, then on eBay, where these will end up if they're priced too high for the market to bear.
