The Zupera Smartpad Mini PC

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.mobilemag.com/content/100/333/C2806/' target='_blank'>http://www.mobilemag.com/content/100/333/C2806/</a><br /><br /></div>"Zupera Technology from Hong Kong has designed the Smartpad, a wireless mini computer running on Windows CE .NET with an Intel PXA255 400MHz processor. The Smartpad has a nice chunk of memory, 64MB and 128MB SDRam with additional SD/MMC expansion capabilities. The 7-inch TFT LCD can display 16 bits at 800x600 resolution. The entire device measures 215mm x 125mm x 28mm which makes it mostly all screen and a bit of room for side buttons and what not. The player also has integrated 10/100 ethernet and GPRS/CDMA 1X modules with support for 802.11b wireless, this should be integrated as well, and where is the Bluetooth?"<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/2806_large.jpg" /><br /><br />There seems to be no shortage of companies who are cranking out Windows CE .NET-based devices, but their strategy seems quite random to me. Cool hardware does not a platform make - it requires intentionality and the wooing of developers. What do you think about this new device?

[whydidnt]

I like devices like this and think they could really be useful for mobile professionals. Now that WM is based upon the .net framework, and WM2003SE support dynamic screen resoultions and rotation, maybe it will be possible to run PPC apps on this kind of device. If so.... :drool:

Otherwise, what good will all that memory do? You won't have any apps to fill the space anyway.

[gohtor]

They're nice remoting devices. Devices like this makes surfing the internet comfortable anywhere. i wonder if this unit has transflective screen?

anyhow I quite agree on the strategy, these devices won't really appeal to the mass market. people are largely geared towards having a full blown pc/laptop or some computing device that is small like phone or pda. something like this falls in the half and half category like the traditional Tablet (not convertable) PCs. they don't really capture the mass market's interest into buying them.

[gohtor]

I like devices like this and think they could really be useful for mobile professionals. Now that WM is based upon the .net framework, and WM2003SE support dynamic screen resoultions and rotation, maybe it will be possible to run PPC apps on this kind of device. If so.... :drool:

Otherwise, what good will all that memory do? You won't have any apps to fill the space anyway.

ppc apps should still be capable of running on them (.net anyways) but the app windows themselves may be limited to their original respective resolutions (unless they coded them to be drawn dynamically). I hold great hopes that windows ce .net will be a successful mobile os solution.

Even if ce.net never catches on and win xp or win xp mobile becomes the successor, it's not really that difficult to migrate .net code over to those platforms. =)

[freitasm]

I have my doubts... This might be another "vapourware" device. I've contacted Zupera three months ago about this device when I found about it. They then returned me an e-mail saying that it wasn't available yet, and instead offered me one of their other products, a 2mp digital camera... :roll:

[Deslock]

That'll be a sweet device, but FYI it's 800x480, not 800x600.

[fireflyrsmr]

length is not such a big problem but it's too wide. I could not hold it with one hand comfortably at 5 inches. I think somewhere between 3.5 and 4 inches is about it. I think we are all used to scrolling up and down but sideways is ugly. so that means a longer thin machine would be fine.

I suppose a different solution would be some kind of handle on the side with fingers spanning the back for support. that might allow for a wider device. Once it can't go in a pants pocket a large part of the market is lost but there is a niche out there that is ok with that and is totally willing to give up the pants pocket thing for a bigger screen.

It would also have to play the current software. to throw away that investment would hurt :frusty: the gains would have to be huge and a bigger screen isn't THAT huge.

[wxrman]

I could use this for wireless internet if it would connect with my i600

Would be great for getting radar/etc. when storm-chasing but transflective screen would be a must and at that res... I'm afraid it's not... sounds too custom.

[freitasm]

I have my doubts... This might be another "vapourware" device. I've contacted Zupera three months ago about this device when I found about it. They then returned me an e-mail saying that it wasn't available yet, and instead offered me one of their other products, a 2mp digital camera... :roll:

got an e-mail from them today. This model will not be in production until June 2004. It'll cost US$ 668 for 200 units.

[Bill Gunn]

I have my doubts... This might be another "vapourware" device. I've contacted Zupera three months ago about this device when I found about it. They then returned me an e-mail saying that it wasn't available yet, and instead offered me one of their other products, a 2mp digital camera... :roll:

Not only vaporware; vaporware that won't run any existing software.

[jonathanchoo]

Like we should care... A 400Mhz ARM processor does not cut it for such a resolution. It would be slow. Now this is what we should care:

http://www.jp.sonystyle.com/Style-a/Product/U/

Sony's latest VIAO

Intel Pentium M 1Ghz/512k L2-Cache
Intel 855 chipset
400Mhz FSB
512Mb
266Mhz memory bus (DDR?)
20Gb HDD
5" SVGA display
PCMCIA Type II slot, CF slot, MS slot
WiFi 802.11b/g (yawn!)
USB 2.0 x4, Firewire
VGA out, LAN
Windows XP Pro
2.5 hour battery (standard), 5.5 hour (extended)
550gram (and I thought my friend's U101 was light!)

http://www.dynamism.com/u70/u70-med.jpg

Based on the pix, they are using the same remote controller that comes with their popular Minidisc players (outside US) and by the looks of it - its small! For those who care, the fontopia featured is the EX51SL (I own a fantastic white EX71SL and the noise cancelling really does work). I am ready to dump all my PDAs in favour of this. I do hope they will integrate Bluetooth and a Philips Digital TV tuner into future models though.

Dynamism is taking pre-order now with pricing from $2299.

[Deralict]

Go ahead and drop all your PDAs, but most others won't. We'd be giving up many key advantages like instant-on, durability (no hard disk) and price. What many people don't realize is that CE.NET devices and many PPC devices just don't compare to Windows XP devices and aren't designed to. CE.NET handheld devices are designed specifically with what may seem like underwhelming specs--these devices aren't meant for the average consumer who wants the latest and greatest cool multimedia device that runs all their desktop software, they are intented for business users and vertical markets. Here, features like instant-on rule the day.

And BTW, a 400MHz ARM CPU is just fine for 800x480 resolution. I have an 800x600 device running at 400MHz and there is no problem with the display. Not that you'd want to view movies on it...but again, it's not a toy, it's a business tool.

And come on...US$2300 for what is effectively an underpowered notebook? As a business user, that needs to run specialized software in the field, I'll take an $800 Smartpad, or any of the new 640x480 PPCs that will be released this summer in a new york minute.