CeBIT: The Other Origami Device: Asustek's R2H

Our correspondent Thomas Jungbluth reports on the other Origami device from CeBIT:

Thomas says:

"Although Samsung seemed to be getting all the buzz in this morning's announcements, there also is an Origami device from Taiwanese manufacturer Asustek. The company's Ultra Mobile PC or UMPC (which appears to be the official name of this new kind of device) is the ASUS R2H. Here's what it looks like:



And here's a close-up of the controls:



"Like Samsung's Q1, R2H is based upon an Intel's 900 MHz Ultra Low Voltage Celeron M. The R2H has a 7-inch active matrix display with a 800-by-480 pixel resolution. The screen is touch sensitive in order to take advantage of Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC edition with its integrated handwriting recognition.

"Microsoft today showed a set of applications (called the "Touch Pack") which will ship with the version of Windows tailored for the UMPCs. The apps are fitted to the limited resolution, and Microsoft added some goodies like a Sudoku game and a special version of Windows Media Player.

"Asustek says it is going to sell the R2H in two versions. The more expensive device has a GPS antenna on top and can be used with any car navigation software which runs with Windows XP.(Here's the antenna area:}



"(But make sure you have a good place to perch this device in the car. Although it weighs only about 34 ounces, you wouldn't want it to fly around the car if you brake quickly.)

"On mobile devices, safety may an issue as, if used as Microsoft envision, the little handhelds can easily inadvertently be left alone in the car, on the beach, etc. The R2H has additional features to protect the device from unauthorized users. The ASUS Security Protect Management (ASPM) uses a special fingerprint sensor, which analyses not only the skin surface but the fabric beneath it. So the sensor cannot be fooled by copies of the fingerprint made with glue tape or other methods. Here's a photo of it:

"The R2H can also be used for video telephony as it has a webcam built in above the display. Prices of the units weren?t announced."

--Thomas Jungbluth