Although it might look like a cheapo digital photo frame intended to be hung from your keychain, the MTube UMPC is actually a full, VIA-powered superultraportable (no, that word doesn’t really exist) running Linux. At just 8.5 x 8.5 x 2cm and weighing 150g it’s being called the smallest “full featured” computer in the world, with WiFi, WiMAX, a 2.8-inch touchscreen running at 640 x 480 and a battery that can last a surprising four hours when playing video. MiniPcPro shot some footage of the MTube at CES 2008, being careful not to accidentally drop it or lose it under a crumb:
Even though it’s just a prototype, they’re talking about availability in 2009 at some point. No prices indicated as of yet.
Ok, we all know the Eee Pc is small, but the Mtube, which fits i the palm of your hand is a fraction of the size.
The Mtube runs on a 1 Ghz , x86 CPU produced by Via Technologies. Its basically a pocket PC for surfing the internet, watching video streams, listening to MP3’s, and watching TV. (more…)
The NoahPad UMPC was something I reported on before I even got to CES, but they company that makes it had it here and they gave a little demo. The keyboard is at best weird, it acts as both the keyboard and the mouse and switches between the two via a toggle switch.
You can in fact hang it from a hanger, it will stand on its own as a picture frame, and you can even bend the screen back and down and lay it on the dash to use for navigation. Also, as the previous article stated, you can type on it even with the screen folded all the way back around because there is a keyboard overlay that pops up to show you which key you are touching.
They have the units made, at least two of them, and they have plans for several new attachments and software updates. I have no clue on price or availability as the representatives only barely spoke English, but as soon as I hear something, I’ll let you know.
The FreeScale LimePC is an iPod nano sized Linux UMPC based on Freescale’s MPC5121e mobileGT processor, which is a so called “motherboard-on-a-chip” device. MPC5121e can be used for many applications in various industries. The LimePC runs LimeOS which is based on Debian Linux OS.
The Chinese company Tsinghua Tongfang is developing the LimePC line of computers, which is supposed to ship in 2008. In China at first, and in the fall in the United States.
Freescale’s MPC5121e processor will power LimePC’s full line of affordable and compact computing products, including UMPCs, pad-style PCs with large touchpad LCD screens, notebook and desktop PCs, and mini-ITX developer kits.
LimePC’s consumer PC products will feature one or more MPC5121e processors and a LimeOS and LimeSuite applications software bundle.
Connectivity includes USB 2.0, 802.11g WiFi and Bluetooth 2.1 EDR wireless capabilities, as well as 10/100 Ethernet for desktops. Not sure whetherthis will take off or not. Should be interesting to watch.
Today I got to meet with some people from Everex. They showed me their two newest products: the Everex Cloudbook and the Everex Gbook.
The Cloudbook is a UMPC and it measures 9” in length and weighs only 2 pounds. It has a 1.2GHz VIA C7-M, ultra low voltage, CPU and it has 5 hours of battery life on a 4 cell lithium-ion battery. It also features 30GB of internal storage, DVI-I, 4in1 card reader and 1.3MP Webcam. The Cloudbook will be available January 25th at Wal-Mart and will retail for $399.
The Gbook is a laptop that has a 1.5GHZ VIA C7-M processor, 512MB DDR2 SDRAM, 60GB SATA HDD, DVD/CD-ROM, 15.4” WXGA and a widescreen display. It weighs 5.3lbs and 14.06”x10.67”x1.02”. It’ll cost $399 and be available though Wal-Mart as well.
Today I got to meet with some people from Everex. They showed me their two newest products: the Everex Cloudbook and the Everex Gbook.
The Cloudbook - initially known as the CE260 when first announced last June - is a UMPC and it measures 9” in length and weighs only 2 pounds. It has a 1.2GHz VIA C7-M, ultra low voltage, CPU and it has 5 hours of battery life on a 4 cell lithium-ion battery. It also features 30GB of internal storage, DVI-I, 4in1 card reader and 1.3MP Webcam, and is based on VIA’s own NanoBook UMPC reference design (another version of which Packard Bell currently sell in the UK). The Cloudbook will be available January 25th at Wal-Mart and will retail for $399.
The Gbook is a laptop that has a 1.5GHZ VIA C7-M processor, 512MB DDR2 SDRAM, 60GB SATA HDD, DVD/CD-ROM, 15.4” WXGA and a widescreen display. It weighs 5.3lbs and 14.06”x10.67”x1.02”. It’ll cost $399 and be available though Wal-Mart as well.
We first told you about the WIBRAIN B1 UMPC in November. At that time, we didn’t know if we were going to see it again. Sure enough it showed up at CES 2008.
The WiBrain B1 is a neat device but the elongated shape might make some feel that it’s a little awkward. It sports a VIA C7M 1.2GHz CPU with 60GB HDD. The popup camera is a nice touch though, and the keyboard with tactile feedback split between the two sides is more ergonomic. Like all of the other UMPCs it runs on XP too.
It also has a nice little touchpad for those not too precise with the touchscreen. The screen is on the small side at 4.8 inches. If you want to get your hands on one, it won’t be as difficult as we first thought. You can get one for a base price of $699.
Clarion’s high-end in-car entertainment systems have been edging onto ultraportable PC territory for a while now, and they’ve finally made the jump into bed with Intel and launched a Mobile Internet Device (MID) at CES 2008. The Clarion MiND (Mobile Internet Navigation Device) is an ideal example of the chip manufacturer’s digital companion vision: based around a 5.2-inch WVGA 800 x 480 touchscreen and the Intel Menlow platform (comprising the Silverthorne processor and Poulsbo chipset), the device has 4GB of flash memory, WiFi, Bluetooth 2.0, provision for a 3G data module and/or WiMAX, GPS and a digital camera.
Running a Linux-based OS, the MiND will ship with navigation software, web browser (capable of playing Flash videos from sites such as YouTube), email client, media player, hands-free phone interface, IM client, RSS news reader and image/pdf/office file viewer. An installed docking station for the car will be an option, so that audio and video, navigation and hands-free cellphone calls can be routed through the car stereo.
A pilot website companion for the MiND, currently running in Japan, called Chizuru and Susumu will offer updates for the MiND device, as well as offer POIs, media and other downloads.
Neither an availability date nor a guide price have been released.
