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Origami Ultra Mobile PC UMPCOrigami Ultra Mobile PC UMPC
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On March 10, 2006, Microsoft unveiled details of their new Ultra-Mobile Personal Computers (UMPCs). UMPCs are a new category of mobile computing devices that feature compact, lightweight, carry-everywhere hardware designs that include the the full functionality of a Microsoft Windows-based PC and a choice of input options, including enhanced touch-screen capabilities.
This project, code named "Origami", was presented during the CeBIT?Create|Search 2006, in Germany, by Bill Mitchell. He is corporate vice president of Microsoft's Windows Mobile Platforms Division, and explained how these new devices are different from other mobile computers.
According to Mitchell the UMPCs are a new category of mobile PCs designed to support increasing mobile lifestyles. They support mobile-tuned user interface features such as touch, pen and dedicated buttons as well as keyboards for convenient access to Windows-based applications on-the-go.
The "Origami" project was Microsoft's first step toward achieving a big vision, in which UMPCs will eventually become as indispensable and ubiquitous as mobile phones.
The specification for Windows-based UMPC devices calls for them to weigh less than 2 pounds (.9 kilo), with a 7-inch (17.8 centimeters) screen size. They are to offer the user a choice of text input methods. The touch-enhanced display can be used as an on-screen QWERTY keyboard (called dial keys) to navigate, or users can employ a stylus to input handwritten information.
They can also input content with a traditional keyboard, linked either by USB port or wireless Bluetooth connectivity. UMPC devices will have a battery life of two and a half hours or more, and feature 30-60 GB hard drive for storage, with Intel Celeron M, Intel Pentium M or VIA C7-M processors.
Some devices may include additional built-in features such as GPS, a webcam, fingerprint reader, digital TV tuners, and compact flash and SD card readers. UMPCs can be connected through Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Ethernet networks. Some UMPCs will be able to connect via wide-area networking. Easy sync with a larger primary PC is to be emphasized.
While priced by OEM partners, Microsoft predicts pricing in the US$599-$999 range.
While the Sony's VGN-U8 already meets many of these UMPC specifications, and it works very nicely as a media player, it is difficult to use as a laptop replacement where lots of note taking and traditional PC uses are required. Still, at $600-$900, it sure beats Sony's price tag of $2500 for the Sony VGN-U8.
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