Ultramobile PCs Reappear

Microsoft made a big splash earlier this year with its Origami viral marketing campaign. Origami was Microsoft's code name for a new breed of handheld devices or ultramobile PCs or UMPCs.

The devices started appearing in May and then the air left the balloon. We haven't heard much about them since.

Now, Quanta Computer, the world's largest contract laptop PC maker, is branching out into UMPCs, says Dan Nystedt of IDG News Service. He said the company is using a reference design from Intel and Internet software from Yahoo. Here's what it looks like with the keyboard opened.

Intel executives showed off the UMPC at the Fall Intel Developer Forum in Taipei earlier this week, Dan says. The new device is a sign Intel and other backers of the UMPC design are gaining further support from hardware makers globally, which will increase the variety of devices available as well as their functions. More UMPC contenders should also help drive down prices through market competition. Earlier devices were priced above $1000. Here's what it looks like with the keyboard closed.

The ultramobile PC is Quanta's first. It will be the second Taiwanese company to enter the market, following the launch of Asustek Computer's R2H.

Quanta's new UMPC runs Yahoo's Go for ultramobiles, a joint software effort with Intel designed to deliver digital entertainment on devices that use Intel Viiv technology, including Go TV, and Yahoo photos, music, and other content. Intel did not say which specific functions the ultramobile PC version of Go includes.

The device runs on Microsoft's Windows XP Tablet Edition OS, Dan tells us.

Mooly Eden, Intel's general manager for the mobile platform group, declined to disclose further details about the device, and Quanta Computer officials could not immediately be reached for comment.

Comments

Post a comment Post a comment

0 / 1000 max characters