Ultra Mobile Device

Pioneer DreamBook

2007-10-02T01:58:00.000-07:00

http://www.pioneercomputers.com.au/products/info.asp?c1=3&c2=108&id=2191

VIA CPU powered UMDs is now available in Australia through Pioneer Computers!
There are 3 models available:

Pioneer DreamBook Ultra Mobile PC 650

Pioneer DreamBook Vista UMPC 770

Pioneer DreamBook Panel PC 10.2

Wibrain B1 UMPC

2007-10-02T00:25:00.000-07:00

http://www.wibrain.com/

Yeah yeah, I know what you are thinking, you are thinking: "This is a calculator! What is it doing here?"

Infact, this is no ordinary calculator, this is a pocket sized UMD design by a Korean company called "Wibrain"

To be honest, after taking a longer look, I think this device is quite cute and unique!

Wibrain B1 UMPC is still yet to be launched! Hopefully available globally soon!

Getway G100, G200 Carbook

2007-10-01T22:55:00.000-07:00

http://www.getway.org/product/g100_1.asp?model=g100

http://www.getway.org/product/G200_1.asp?model=g200

It's UMPC! No~~ it's a Car PC? Yo buddy, stop arguing! It is both, a ultra mobile device that can be used as a UMPC as well as a car navigation system!

The Getway G100/G200 is only available in China now!

Again, one of the many UMDs that is powered by the VIA C7-M ULV Processor!

Packard Bell EasyNote XS based on Via's reference Nanobook design

2007-10-01T20:23:00.000-07:00

Packard Bell EasyNote XS based on Via's reference Nanobook design

Packard Bell has recently announched a 950g, ultra slim UMD based on VIA's reference Nanobook design and using the VIA C7-M ULV 1.2GHz processor.

The official name of this UMD is called the Easynote XS. The device comes with Microsoft Windows XP, a 7" TFT display screen, 1GB of memory and a 30GB hard drive.

In addition, the machine comes with built-in WiFI (802.11b/g), webcam, a 4-in-1 memory card reader and 2 USB connectors.

The battery life of this UMD is approximately 3 hours, with the wi-fi switched on.

Let us wait and see! Should be available in Europe soon... Grab one for X'mas!

VIA NanoBook coming soon!

2007-07-24T23:13:00.000-07:00

The revolutionary VIA NanoBook Ultra Mobile Device Reference Design ushers in the Mobility 2.0 lifestyle. Based on the VIA Ultra Mobility Platform, the NanoBook lets you bring the full Internet experience with you wherever you go.

The NanoBook's bright 7" touchscreen provides an optimal mobile web-browsing experience, while the full-size keyboard means you don't have sacrifice comfort for mobility. Weighing in at 850 grams, the NanoBook is less than 30mm thick making it a snap to pull out and grab that crucial bit of information you have stashed away. Best of all the VIA Ultra Mobility Platform, based on the the incredibly power efficient VIA C7-M processor, allows your Mobility 2.0 Internet experience to extend beyond the 4 hour mark.

UMD powered by VIA C7-M ULV Processor

2007-07-02T02:20:00.000-07:00

Sharing life together

Computex 2007

2007-07-02T01:51:00.000-07:00

Computex 2007 took place from 6/5 to 6/9. Yet another success for all vendors.
It rained a lot though, but doesn't seem to stop those who aim to sign big PO!

This year's focus... everyone is still talking about UMD, UMPC, MID. A new market segment beside slim and light notebooks, it is a combination between NB and PDA... and many more.

OQO Model 02

2007-07-02T01:40:00.000-07:00

Gigabyte UMD U60

2007-07-02T01:38:00.000-07:00

TabletKiosk eo TufTab v7112XT

2007-07-02T01:36:00.000-07:00

Mobility is now reality – at least in Taiwan

2007-05-22T05:17:00.000-07:00

Three companies, VIA Technolgies Inc. with its C7-M ULV processor, Gigabyte with its UMPC (the one presented during CeBIT time, view also my article from that time) and Chunghwa Telecom, a wireless broadband provider in Taiwan announced the world’s first collaboration lately.

But what does this mean in practice? People using the UMPC will enjoy a complete Internet experience combined with a very light device and a long lasting battery life - true mobility is hence achieved.

Unfortunately, I do not live in Taiwan, but we can only hope that this collaboration is just the start and others will follow!

Countdown

2007-05-22T01:42:00.000-07:00

Only until Sunday, you can participate in the photography competition I told you some weeks ago. If you have not shot your pictures yet about the topic "green computing", you should grap your camera now. My friends have already participated - competition is quite strong, I can tell you!

Here you can find all the necessary information:

http://mktprogram.via.com.tw/computex-2007/computex-2007index.html

The rescue for women – for women only!

2007-05-08T03:55:00.000-07:00

Do you know the situation, that your boyfriend wants to watch a fantasy or action movie and you are not enthusiastic at all? In order to prevent an argument, you sit next to him on the sofa and try to keep smiling. For 90 minutes you think of your friend, who shares the same fate as you at the moment. Your conclusion: the opposite of a sucessful evening.

The next day you spot IT – your rescue! You call your friend and both of you are making an impulse buying, that is really worth it. Several days later, your boyfriend is astonished why you do not say anything, while he is announcing that he wants to watch another action movie. It is only because you don’t have a reason any more! After watching the movie for several minutes together with him on the sofa, you turn from the television screen towards the display that lies on your knees. Your boyfriend is unaware of all this. You chat with your friend for 90 minutes, and therefore uses them effectively.
A successful evening both of you conclude in the end – thanks to the small, and for your boyfriend invisible UMPC!

Want to get some money?

2007-04-26T03:34:00.000-07:00

Several days ago, I wrote an article about "Green computing". Today, I found a photography competition about this topic, where you can receive cool prices. So, probably you will be a winner soon! I think I won't have a chance, as I am not very talented.

For further information:

http://mktprogram.via.com.tw/computex-2007/computex-2007E.html

UMPCs in trains - soon reality?

2007-04-24T06:39:00.001-07:00

Last Friday I travelled by train. I like to look at businessmen. In a hurry, they communicate via their mobile phones on the platform, always in high voices, so that everybody around realises, oh this man is important! I was lucky and quickly found a seat in the train. Several businessmen from the platform followed me in the same compartment. A communication via handy is often quite difficult while being in the train, therefore the businessmen started working on their notebooks. In the second class, space is not ample. Therefore it was really narrow and difficult to work, as lots of people had the same idea. This was also reflected in the faces of those people – nobody really looked happy.

Then, I had the solution for this problem! It would be great if UMPCs were offered in the trains, so that one could do its email correspondance and relax while gaming. The latter would have been very good for my businessmen!

Therefore, let’s write to the train companies, so that this really becomes reality soon!

Intel’s new UMPC platform – a real innovation?

2007-04-19T04:44:00.001-07:00

Yesterday, Intel presented its new UMPC platform during the Intel Developer Forum. The new platform Intel improves the required size for the processor and the chipset as well as the battery life. Thereby, the new processors are less performing than its predecessors, as they offer just 600 and 800 MHz, while being produced with the 90nm manufacturing process. Instead of 12.3 Watt, the new platform now has a TDP of 9.3 Watt. Intel claims that now a battery life of up to 5 hours is possible.

In order to jugde the new developments, we should compare it with other ULV processors. Taking the C7®-M ULV processors of VIA, we can see, that they offer more performance while obtaining a much lower TDP. Even a VIA C7®-M ULV processor with 1.5GHz has only a total TDP of 7.5Watt, one with 1.0GHz, only 3.5 Watt, what is nearly a third of the newly presented Intel ones.

A real innovation is something else in my eyes. What do you think?

Green computing - time to think about the next generation

2007-04-18T00:51:00.000-07:00

In which world will our children or grandchildren grow up? Will there be enough clean water and energy for the mankind to live on earth? After years of wasting our natural resources, there is no time to waste in order to change our behaviour.

Green computing is one part that can contribute to conserve our earth for the next generation. Low power consumption is therefore crucial. VIA Technologies Inc., a leading manufacturer of chipsets and processors, has specialised oneself in the production of low power consuming parts. In addition, they started a Clean Computing Initiative, which I think is a good example that others should also follow.

But how is this linked with UMPCs? Well, this is quite obvious. UMPCs, being such small devices, consume only little power and therefore waste less energy. Take for example a mobile DualCore Processor from Intel, which has a TDP of 34 Watt and compare it with a VIA C7®-M ULV Processor which has a TDP of 3.5 Watt. Sure, the performance is not comparable, but the difference in power consumption is astonishing. Especially, when doing your business work you don’t need a processor that is made for gaming. It is not everything about faster and more performing devices, but also about the future of the next generation! It is time that we all change our behaviour!

It is all about security!

2007-04-18T00:48:00.000-07:00

Do you know where your notebook is at that moment? Are you really sure? If not then you have a good reason to start worring. It can happen quite fast that your notebook gets stolen e.g. when you are waiting at the train platform and you put your notebook bag between your legs. With a UMPC the probability of stealing would be less, as you can put your UMPC in your jacket where nobody thinks one can carry a notebook! Against theft you are therefore better protected with a UMPC.

Virus. Spam emails. Worms. Those are words we do not like to hear in connection with our PC or notebook. Therefore the main question is how we can adequately protect us against those attacks? Firewalls are certainly a good start, but might not be sufficient, especially when dealing with highly sensitive data. Some processors, like the VIA C7®-M processor offer special security features, that exceed firewalls in their performance. E.g. in the VIA C7®-M processor is built a security engine, that enables military-grade protection. In addition, with a software, the so-called StrongBox you can create your own virtual drive, put in your sensitive data and lock it up. This is not only a protection agains attacks but also agains theft in general. Somebody who accesses your notebook won’t be able to open the locked drive!

So, it is better to rename the slogan: It is all about UMPCs!

Medion UMPC

2007-04-04T02:29:00.001-07:00

UMPCs at CeBIT

2007-04-03T05:18:00.000-07:00

UMPCs were one of the main topics during CeBIT this year. After the launch of the first UMPC generation last year, one could admire the improved second generation of those small devices.

Smaller, lighter and more convenient is the motto!

I personally liked the UMPC from Gigabyte the most. Even though it only weighs 740g, it offers a keyboard, that can be pulled out and a battery life of up to 4 hours. This is really a big step forward compared to the former devices, which could only be used via touchscreen. With this UMPC one does not have to change its habits. Therefore it is easy to swap between your notebook and your UMPC.

Samsung also presented a new UMPC, using keys on each side of the display as a keyboard. This is even better than no keyboard at all, but you will need some time in order to practise. I also looked at other UMPCs, e.g. from Asus. Their biggest disadvantage is that they do not offer a keyboard.

I think the manufacturers made big steps forward during the last year and I will definitely be one of the first users of such cool devices!

VIA C7®-M Ultra Mobile Processor

2007-04-03T00:51:00.000-07:00

In several devices which were displayed during CeBIT, the VIA C7®-M ULV Processor was installed. Here there is some information about it:

VIA C7®-M Ultra Low Voltage (ULV) processors are custom tailored for a new generation of ultra small form factor x86 devices with leading performance-per-watt operation and the smallest footprint in the industry. The VIA C7®-M ULV processors are available in frequency's from 1.0-1.5GHz with a full featured design, while boasting power consumption as low as 3.5 watts, and the smallest CPU package on the market measuring just 21mm x 21mm to enable designs with thinner and smaller components to reduce device weight, size, and thickness. For further information:
http://www.via.com.tw/en/products/processors/c7-m_ulv/

A short excursus on the history of mobile devices

2007-03-26T20:44:00.000-07:00

When looking at UMPCs we need firstly ask us the question, how did this whole development of notebooks begin? Well, it is quite difficult to say what the first laptop computer was. Most agree that it was in 1981, when Adam Osborne produced the Osborne 1. At that time, the word laptop might have sounded ridiculous, as it implies you should put the 11kg weighting device on your lap. This must have been quite heavy! Besides, there were others like Manny Fernandez, who designed a laptop for executives in 1983 and is by some considered as the first fully functional laptop computer. In 1985 Toshiba launched a laptop and gave it the name “Notebook”. Since then, we have two words for the same device: laptop or notebook. In 1989 NEC introduced, probably the first real laptop, weighting only around 2.5 kg. Only failing was that the battery shut down after 20 minutes! From that time on, improvements were made and laptops become both lighter, more powerful and fitted with a longer battery life. Already, in 1993, the first PDAs were released. Finally in 2006, the first UMPC devices were displayed during CeBIT time.

Why you need a UMPC?

2007-03-26T20:37:00.000-07:00

Why you need a UMPC – three very good reasons!

It is all about convenience
Several researches have shown that you and me like convenience a lot. Think of your daily food for example. On average around 20 % of people worldwide consume convenience products on a frequent basis. Therefore, in a similar vein would it not be very suitable for you if you could access your PC data, when lying on the sofa and holding in one hand your glass of wine? At least, this is one reason you should really consider buying a UMPC!

It is all about time
We are normally always short of time. We are rushing to our office in the morning, working hard the whole day, coming home quite late in the evening and still haven’t done everything we wanted? You know this feeling very well - then you are not alone! Just imagine, you could do some work while commuting, while waiting for a doctor appointment, while queuing up in the supermarket – wouldn’t that be a relief? With the UMPC this becomes realistic! But it has not always to be work, just use your UMPC to listen to music, to play games and above all to relax! You will feel better!

It is all about style
Don’t tell me style is not important to you! Surveys show that for you and me it is all about style. We want to be trendy, young and mobile. Through products like iPod, branded clothing we express ourselves. The UMPC will give you a new feeling of style as well as of mobility. Try it and you will be astonished!

UMPC - My little baby

2007-03-26T20:29:00.000-07:00

7.a.m.
Today, first thing in the morning after waking up, I looked if my UMPC was still where I had layed it down in the evening. Well, some might think I am a little bit crazy, but if you one day hold a UMPC in your hands, you will understand. It becomes your baby! You take it with you everywhere you go, you check if it is hungry (if the battery is low), you clean it if it gets dirty, but best thing it is almost always friendly to you!

8.30 a.m.
After having a fast cup of coffee, I checked my watch and realised I really have to speed up in order to catch my train. I finally got to the train station on time, but the train was announced with twenty minutes delay. Before, I would have been annoyed about it, but with my UMPC the waiting time is not lost! I therefore started to go through my presentation which I will have to do this afternoon. During my journey in the train, I could also access Internet and therefore could read and answer my emails. Hence when I arrived in my office, I had already done some work so that I could start my working day more relaxed.

12 a.m.
After working the whole morning with my cute UMPC, we both were hungry. I left it alone, but not without knocking the office door behind me, as my colleagues are really jealous that I have such a nice device. But also during lunch time I kept on thinking about it. Why? Because I need to arrange quite a lot of things until tonight, as I have organized the first UMPC Lan-Party together with three other UMPC-friends of mine. The best thing is that we can do the party in my tiny apartement, as we don’t need a big table. Everybody can have its own UMPC in his hands.

5 p.m.
Time to leave the office. My presentation is over and was jugded as very good by my boss. The meeting was far longer as scheduled, but thanks to my UMPC and its long battery life, we made it through the meeting! I headed home to prepare everything for our party.

7 p.m.
We made it! Everything worked and we just started gaming! My UMPC is lying on my lap. In one hand I have a beer bottle and with the other hand I try to beat my friends!

11.30 p.m.
Four hours of gaming are over. It was really so cool and relaxing, sitting on the sofa and playing with the UMPCs. I am quite tired now, but also very satisfied! Have to put my UMPC to bed and then I can also go to find some sleep! Good night!

Ode to my UMPC

2007-03-26T19:57:00.000-07:00

UMPC

UM, you are my best device.
I said, UM, you have the coolest size.
I said, UM, 'cause I’m so proud of you
at home, I never leave you.

UM, you let me have more time.
I said, UM, you change my working style.
I said, UM, cause you keep my bag light
I can keep my back so straight.

it's fun to work with my u-m-p-c.
it's fun to work with my u-m-p-c.
it has everything for you all to enjoy,
you can use it throughout the days ...
it's fun to work with my u-m-p-c.
it's fun to work with my u-m-p-c.
you can talk with your friends, you can play a nice game,
you can do whatever you feel

HanWang T700 UMD

2007-03-26T19:56:00.001-07:00

VIA C7®-M Wallpapers

2007-01-03T19:20:00.001-08:00

VIA C7-M Wallpapers

VIA C7-M Processor Mascot

2006-11-22T19:36:00.000-08:00

A better world with ultra-mobile device

2006-11-21T00:53:00.000-08:00

Go everywhere
The Ultra-Mobile Device is portable, lightweight, and configured to connect on the go. It’s the device that you’ll always want with you.

Do everything
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.