DualCor cPC Previewed at CES

[Darius Wey]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.dualcor.com/010406press.php' target='_blank'>http://www.dualcor.com/010406press.php</a><br /><br /></div><i>"DualCor Technologies, Inc., today at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), previewed the DualCor cPC, the world's first ultra portable personal computer to simultaneously run full-function Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005 and Windows Mobile 5.0 operating systems. This unique device represents a new category of hardware for global enterprise computing and promises to end the compromise between mobility, functionality and productivity for the mobile business professional. The DualCor cPC is the only all-in-one, wireless "handtop" (handheld-desktop) computer that combines the power of a desktop PC, the instant-on convenience of a PDA and the always-connected functionality of a cell phone. Measuring just 6.5" x 3.3" x 1.2", the DualCor cPC offers unprecedented battery life for enterprise computing, Internet access, e-mail and talk time. A patented dual processor architecture and integrated 40GB hard drive allows the DualCor cPC to run fully enabled desktop applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint, and non-diluted versions of enterprise applications like SAP, Oracle and Microsoft, while retaining the instant-on, always-on functionality and long-lasting power of a PDA and cell phone."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20060106-DualCor01.jpg" /><br /><br />Remember the DualCor cPC that we <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=45031">posted</a> on back in December? Well, things are finally starting to progress. Just yesterday, the cPC was previewed at CES, and now the company has tagged it with a Q1 release date and a price of $1500. <!><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20060106-DualCor02.jpg" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20060106-DualCor03.jpg" /><br /><br />The hardware is amazing - two CPUs (1.5GHz and 400MHz); 1GB of DDR2 RAM; 1GB NAND ROM; a 40GB shared HDD; a 5", 262K-colour, 800 x 480 touch-screen display; three USB 2.0 ports (two Type A and one Type B); a headset jack and a phone jack; a CompactFlash Type II slot; a mini-VGA-out port; an integrated speaker, microphone, and mouse buttons.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20060106-DualCor04.jpg" /><br /><br />With a set of specifications like that, you could turn the cPC into a stunning multimedia PDA. Its battery life blows the doors off the OQO with three to eight hours of continuous usage and hundreds of hours in standby mode. It has also been claimed that switching between Windows XP and Windows Mobile is instantaneous.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20060106-DualCor05.jpg" /><br /><br />It looks great on paper, though there are still a lot of unanswered questions. Can a virtual ActiveSync "intra-connection" be established, thus eliminating the need to synchronise the device with another computer? And does the cPC have Bluetooth or Wi-Fi? I guess we'll find out soon enough.

[martin_ayton]

:drool:

[pocketpcadmirer]

I think it tries to everything and end up doing nothing !!

Sunny

[Phronetix]

Are the photos indicative of the final commercial prototype? It's a 1500$ brick! Okay, one that runs XP and WM, but still... perhaps some attention to the exterior might help?

[Peter Traugot]

I agree. Two words...


Industrial Design.

[signothefish]

Maybe it's just a prototype. Then again, maybe not. After all, neither the Sony U nor the OQO have a streamlined chassis.

[Hugh Nano]

OK, move over Antelope and OQO. Now I want one of these!

[ADBrown]

Uh huh. And can they actually BUILD the thing, or are they limited to fanciful 3D renderings? Hell, I can render up a device with 4 GB of RAM, 20 GB of flash, and a 200 GB hard drive, that runs continuously for 200 hours on a single AAA battery, all while fitting into my shirt pocket. That doesn't mean that it actually exists. If these guys couldn't produce at least an engineering concept unit for the CES, something that you can take real photos of, I question their ability to launch such a device commercially at any price.

[Raphael Salgado]

Ooooh. Anyone want to buy my Universal?

[whydidnt]

The question of the hour...

Are they actually showing a working prototype/device at CES, or just the mock up/ photoshop images?

If they don't even have a working prototype yet the idea of a 1st quarter launch is laughable.

I could see this is a nice replacment for the OQO Universal combot I seem to carry today, though IF it actually becomes real.

[shindullin]

This gizmo would be the ultimate in GeekChiq! A real computer for three hours or a PDA for 7. Industrial design or not, it would be ultra portable and ultra functional, especially if the transition from WM5 to XP really is seamless. 8O If it's more than vaporware it would be on my list of ultimate gizmo's.

[Damion Chaplin]

Wait, 800x480 on a PPC?
Are they stretching the screen to 800 pixels, or have they developed software that lets you use WM at that res? I'm guessing the former, in which case photos and movies would show up stretched. I wouldn't want to switch to XP just to watch a movie in the proper perspective... I guess it's a moot subject until it's post-vapor.

Of course, if they don't release an 850 GSM version, it won't even be on my list...
Of course, if they DO release an 850 GSM version, I'll be selling just about everything I can to get one... provided they don't use a Transmeta chip for the CPU. :lol:

[kamikun]

Real pictures of an actual working engineering prototype can be found here (http://www.ppcsg.com/index.php?showtopic=66186&amp;st=0).
As a bonus you can see it laid out in comparison to a OQO and an Axim. Really hot geek Pron!

Say what you will, I want one and the price point is almost in reach.

edit - I guess I should note that the photo only show XP running on the unit so perhaps at the time they were taken the WM environment wasn't "fully implemented."

[Dyvim]

Wait, 800x480 on a PPC?

Why not? MS has been advising developers not to make any assumptions about screen dimensions since WM 2003 SE - i.e. hinting that future devices may have unconventional screen dimensions.

You can already use NYDITOT VirtualDisplay to set your ppc to pretty much any resolution, and 800x480 (equivalent to 400x240 on a 96 DPI device) works ok.

[whydidnt]

Real pictures of an actual working engineering prototype can be found here (http://www.ppcsg.com/index.php?showtopic=66186&amp;st=0).
As a bonus you can see it laid out in comparison to a OQO and an Axim. Really hot geek Pron!

Say what you will, I want one and the price point is almost in reach.

edit - I guess I should note that the photo only show XP running on the unit so perhaps at the time they were taken the WM environment wasn't "fully implemented."

Well the comments indicate the device was "Snappy" in both XP and WM mode, so it sounds like they used it in both modes. Maybe this thing is really further along then I would have guessed. It is a bit bigger than I expected, though. I like the built in phone - though only for use as a modem. I'm not sure I could see putting that thing up to my face if I forgot my headset. 8O

Still would like to hear from someone at CES to see if they have a fully functional unit on display for all to see.

[ricksfiona]

I'm not sure I could see putting that thing up to my face if I forgot my headset. 8O


That's IF they have Bluetooth installed. which is yet to be determined. I think it would be necessary for a portable keyboard.

It's a tough call though. It's a rock'n device and one hand, is very cool.

On the other hand, it is too big to hall with you everywhere. There are some very capable PPC Phone Editions coming/out. Heck, I'd probably use it as a strictly XP machine.

[mashtim]

All I can say is that if this thing actually turns out to be real and available, I am getting one!

As a mobile professional, I have been using my PPCPE for contacts, spreadsheets, Word files, GPS and all that good stuff. It works, but it REALLY strains the PPCPE.

If I can use the XP side of this for my spreadsheets and proprietary AR/AP/Inventory program while still having my PPCPE available, I WANT ONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My only concern (besides availability of BT and WiFi) is whether or not one can use the phone side simultaneously while using the XP side....

[ricksfiona]

I did a quick measurement comparison between this device and my iPaq 5550. My iPaq is 1" shorter, .2" wider and .5" thinner. Not too bad. Though, I consider my iPaq just short of a brick so...

The more I think about this device, the more I want one. If only for it's XP functionality. Getting a decent BT keyboard and a 5" screen would make it very functional. I don't like the keyboards on the ultra small Sonys either.

$1500 huh... :wink:

[Don't Panic!]

I'll get one. 0X

[Phoenix]

My only concern (besides availability of BT and WiFi) is whether or not one can use the phone side simultaneously while using the XP side....

I'm curious about this, too.

My questions are:

1.) Does it have WiFi, and if so, which band?
2.) Does it have BT, and if so, which version?
3.) Does it have GSM/GPRS/EDGE/3G, and if so, which bands?
4.) Does it have an integrated SD slot?
5.) Will it have any type of integrated backlit keyboard? (Would be a real shame if it didn't).
6.) Will there be any option for integrated GPS?
7.) Will there be any option for an integrated digital camera?
8.) And if it does operate as a cell phone, will the phone aspect work while accessing the WinXP side of things?


I'm eager to know these answers.

[ricksfiona]

I took a closer look at one of the pictures on the manufacturer's website. In one of the images, they have the WM5 displayed on the device. In the lower right hand corner, they have a BT icon displayed. Chances are that it has BT installed.

I don't think it will have WiFi installed. Slight bummer, but not a deal breaker. I use a BT connection for my wireless Internet connection much more than my WiFi connection. Plus with the CF slot, you CAN pop in a WiFi card. I wouldn't like the bulge it would make unfortunately to an otherwise sleek device. Even use one of the USB slots for a 802.11g stick. It would look just like a regular antenna :wink:

I would also rather have it come with SD instead of CF. I know you can get micro-drives, but Flash memory is so superior.. With a 40GB hard drive, that could keep me happy for a pretty long time. If they installed SD, they probably would've had room for WiFi....

I REALLY hope this will have built-in WiFi for one reason: Skype! You can get a pure data plan with T-Mobile for $30/month, but that kinda defeats the price advantage of Skype.

This is the beginning of a whole new era...

[alese]

I really hope this is not just hype and wapour. Even without WiFi this would be very interesting machine.
But, the specs seem too good to be true and I still think the WM5-WinXP combination/switching will just add unneccessary complexity.
We will see by April what will happen...

[Darius Wey]

Are they actually showing a working prototype/device at CES, or just the mock up/ photoshop images?

They've got a few on display at CES.

Also, it has Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and EV-DO.

[Phoenix]

They've got a few on display at CES.

Also, it has Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and EV-DO.

That's great if it's really going to keep BT and WiFi, but EV-DO? Does this mean that this is only going to be a CDMA device (which would be an odd choice IMO - why not make it function as a world phone via GSM?), or is it going to offer dual mode EV-DO and CDMA/EDGE?

[Darius Wey]

That's great if it's really going to keep BT and WiFi, but EV-DO?

Don't take it as a hard fact yet. The inclusion of Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and EV-DO is what I've heard from a couple of people walking the floors of CES. Also, the folks at Gear Live (http://www.gearlive.com/index.php/news/article/live-from-ces-dualcor-mobile-computer-0105061615/) appear to be reporting the same thing. Hopefully, it's true. Actually, I was supposed to make this comment in my previous post, but I think I left it out by accident. :oops:

Does this mean that this is only going to be a CDMA device (which would be an odd choice IMO - why not make it function as a world phone via GSM?), or is it going to offer dual mode EV-DO and CDMA/EDGE?

Unfortunately, all this is a little sketchy at the moment. :( I'd love to provide a definite answer, though the DualCor web site contains absolutely zero details on the device's wireless connectivity. I'll see if I can look into it a bit more over the next few days.

[ricksfiona]

Yup, I read over at mobilitytoday.com/dave's ipaq that this device is 3G. I certainly won't use it with that service for $60. That's insane. It DOES come with BT, so I'll probably use it with my phone or get that GPRS/CF card that he reviews as well!

Also, you CAN share files between the OS's... There are some cool pics that show the size in relation to a portable keyboard... It's still smaller than a folded out keyboard in landscape mode. Very cool.

I CAN'T WAIT for this device!