The M.A.G.I.C. Prototype: Plenty of Bang for Bulk

[Darius Wey]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.advancetc.com/' target='_blank'>http://www.advancetc.com/</a><br /><br /></div><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20060309-MAGIC.jpg" /><br /><br />Here's an interesting prototype from Malaysia. They call the M.A.G.I.C. a "true convergent device" (TCD); we call it a heavy-duty Pocket PC Phone Edition. The specs? An Intel PXA270 624MHz CPU, an Intel 2700G3 GPU with VGA-out support, 512MB RAM, 512MB ROM, an 8GB integrated micro-drive, quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE support, 802.11b Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.0, GPS, IrDA, USB On-The-Go (OTG), dual displays (2.8" QVGA TFT and 3.5" QVGA TFT), dual cameras (both 2.0-megapixel), biometric support, a QWERTY keyboard, a microSD slot, and Windows Mobile 5.0. A Windows XP-based version is also in the works. It measures in at 125mm x 70mm x 32mm, and weighs 300g - making it a tad thicker and heavier than the HTC Universal. So, any takers?

[alese]

Incredible specs, a bit big and heavy, and I hope internal screen is actually VGA not QVGA.

...but...

Even though it's not April 1st, I very much doubt this is real or, that it will ever become a real shipping product.
Maybe I'll be surprised...

[Muntasser]

USB on the go. I'd really like to see this be standard fit-out into all PocketPC's in the future.

[DaleReeck]

If the QVGA thing is correct, then more evidence that VGA is dead. Its been several years now and still a VGA device is a rare thing.

[galt]

Incredible specs...but...Even though it's not April 1st, I very much doubt this is real or, that it will ever become a real shipping product.
Maybe I'll be surprised...Pretty much feel the same way. Awesome specs, doubt it can be done for a marketable price and released as a balanced device. The 512 RAM, hard drive, and dual screens could burn so much juice it'd be a miracle if this thing could last a day on a single charge under light use.

[Phoenix]

I made mention of this in the forums earlier - this thing is amazing.

They should have made the internal screen VGA, not QVGA - on a device like this, it would be a real shame if it wasn't. And it wouldn't hurt for them to upgrade the Wifi. I also don't know what chipset the GPS is based on (hopefully SIRFstar III). These are my only concerns, but out of these three things, the VGA and the GPS chipset are the two things I care about the most. Other than this, it's an amazing device and most likely what I'll buy if it actually becomes available for purchase. Let's also hope that the aesthetics are better than what we currently see.

And I don't know that VGA is dead, Dale, but I do understand what you're saying. I believe that VGA will be standard, but I don't know what's taking manufacturers so long to incorporate it. People will appreciate the increased sharpness and image quality that VGA will bring when they really start having more access to it.

[Nurhisham Hussein]

I posted in your thread as well, Phoenix, but I'll post the link here as well:

http://forum.mypdacafe.com/viewtopic.php?t=8722

The designer? company rep? engineer? has posted some replies to our queries on this beast. Some highlights:

We are using Windows Mobile 5.0, and will be porting in Windows XP in the next version.

wink how about a Digital Broadcast Chip as well?

WM5 push email application needs an integrated exchange server. Sybase solutions provide more flexibilty in terms of multiple protocols.


This M.A.G.I.C model will have default language as English with language options of Chinese Simplified. We plan to have future upgradeable language packs through Over the Air (OTA) synchronization. This feature is available in M.A.G.I.C and serves to constantly update the software.


USB OTG serves as both a host and slave. Yes, it is possible to directly attach a USB keyboard, USB mouse, USB printer etc.

Our current battery life is at +/-2100 mAh, for comparison Dopod 900(HTC) has a battery life of 1620 mAh.

[pocketpcadmirer]

The device looks incredible,not to mention about its great specs. But, I would like it to be a non-phone edition because of the 'thickness' of the unit. The didnt bought the universal because of its thickness and bulkyness.

On the other hand, i would wait for the win xp ver(or vista?)

Sunny

[Phoenix]

I posted in your thread as well, Phoenix, but I'll post the link here as well:

http://forum.mypdacafe.com/viewtopic.php?t=8722

Thanks for this link... I read it - and it seems the product is very real and will be released - time will tell for sure, though. It was an interesting read and I'm eagerly awaiting more info on the specs. He never answered what kind of GPS chipset they were using or why they didn't utilize Wifi-g in the device.

I still believe they should've used VGA - I'd really like to see that res, but I suppose QVGA would suffice for the time being (can you tell I'm a bit reluctant?) considering everything else that it has.

Now if they're really smart, they'll release it with AKU2 (with both MSFP and AD2P).

[whydidnt]

This one really is too big to be used as a phone, but would be a very good handtop computer if the internal screen is VGA. I don't know how they plan on "porting" this to XP or Vista, since those won't run on the XScale, and I imagine the entire insides would have to be different, as well. Of course why would you want 512 MB RAM, unless you were planning on running a desktop OS. I think the Xscale chip will probably choke trying manage any more than 128 as it is.

Steps in the right direction, though. Still waiting to see the DualCor as well...

[axe]

The specs are impressive - yes, but I'll bet the price matches...

Besides, do I really want to carry a brick?

[Cybrid]

Even with +/- 2100mAh, that thing will chew through that in a matter of minutes.... Remember Calligaro's blog about RAM and its continual power suckage? now multiply by 4! (64x4=512). Not saying I wouldn't appreciate 128Mb RAM :lol:

hopefully the camera and screens are not active in tandem. Start one the other goes off. With the screen of you can run media player and listen to music for hours. If the screens are either or...WooHoo!

WiFi and GPS are cool. but do require power as well.

Some calculations?
http://www.bargainpda.com/default.asp?newsID=2258&amp;review=Dell+Axim+X50
http://www.bargainpda.com/default.asp?newsID=2670

I chose the X50/51v as my estimate simply because it also has the 624mhz processor and Intel chip.
So assuming cameras and screens are not on simultaeneously.
X50v power estimates.
Backlight at minimum, processor active:6 hours, 20 minutes (1100mah) X51v. Ram usage 2.89mA/min (inclusive of CPU)
Backlight at maximum, processor active: 3 hours, 36 minutes
Backlight usage 2.2mA/min
WiFi drops my X50v from 4hours to 2.5 hours. 2.24ma/min

MAGIC time estimates.
Backlight off time: (2100 /(2.89x4))=181.66 min=3hours
Backlight:(2100/((2.89x4)+2.2))=152min=2hours 32min
WiFi w/back light:(2100/((2.89x4)+2.2+2.2)=131min=2hours 11min

Disclaimer:I do not in any way warranty the scientific or even mathematical accuracy of my calculations. This is just an exercise in hot air.

Ok, now factor in the 8gb microdrive......

microdrive
http://www.memorysuppliers.com/hi4gbmi4cofl.html
Power (3.3 V supply) • Requirement: +3.3 VDC, +/- 5%
• Current (write): 305 mAper hour?
• Current (standby): 16 mA
• Power consumption efficiency: 0.055 watts/GB at idle

[robert_biggs]

If it had an internal VGA screen, 802.11g, 3+ hours of real battery life, and a sub-$600 price, it would be the ultimate device. Too bad it probably won't...

[Phoenix]

If it had an internal VGA screen, 802.11g, 3+ hours of real battery life, and a sub-$600 price, it would be the ultimate device. Too bad it probably won't...

I agree. But no device like this is going to be $600 or less. For all this, you're going to pay to play.

[netboy]

this thing is a JOKE! it has 2.0 megapix camera, so u can view all those nice pics in QVGA?? and they want to port XP to it? it' already hard enought to surf internet on QVGA, i bet playing XP on a QVGA is really fun!
if it has no VGA screen, i dont care if it selling for under 300$. i not interested!
... and another thing. VGA is not dead! it just companyS are brain-dead! keep releasing JUNKS with QVGA!
WE WANT VGA WITH EVDO OR UMTS POCKETPC-PHONE!
WE WANT VGA WITH EVDO OR UMTS POCKETPC-PHONE!

[Phoenix]

I agree, it needs VGA, without a doubt! QVGA was a big mistake.

They will definitely kill off some portion of their much needed business by only going with QVGA in this thing. There are people who would ordinarily buy a device like this but instead will simply walk away and buy something else because the screens aren't VGA. I could live with QVGA, but very reluctantly (and I wouldn't be happy about it), in order to get my hands on everything else it offers. Or maybe I wait. But people who are looking for a device like this are major geeks searching for incredible specs, which means that they're going to want the best of everything, the screen being no exception, meaning they're going to want VGA. Advance Tech miscalculated this one.

The outer screen is a touch screen just like the one on the inside, capable of running the same software as the inner screen (at least AFAIK), which means that if they made one screen VGA, the other one would have to be the same resolution. This being the first device that would have two screens like this, I don't know that software could run in VGA mode on one screen and then QVGA mode on the outer screen.

Despite that certain people will turn away because of the screen resolution and the need for more VGA devices out there, there is the concern of battery life. With an increase of resolution, this will decrease battery life more. But perhaps they could deal with that. It's not as if both screens will run at the same time - there would be no point in that - only one would most likely run at a given time, so the decrease in battery life probably wouldn't be too bad.

But yes, VGA is what they should have gone with.

They couldn't port XP with screens this small, certainly not with QVGA resolution - that would be impossible. And I certainly would NOT want XP on a device like this. WM is sophisticated enough, who wants to deal with the complications of XP on their cell phone??? NOT ME!

[Phoenix]

For those interested, the thread over at MyPDACafe (http://forum.mypdacafe.com/viewtopic.php?t=8722&amp;start=30&amp;postdays=0&amp;postorder=asc&amp;highlight=) is really getting interesting. The manufacturer is answering a lot of questions and is helping everyone get a real feel for what this device will be.

As I've been thinking a lot more about things and considering what has been revealed about MAGIC, and as much as I'd love to have the higher resolution on the screens, I'm beginning to realize that for me to actually have something like this in my hands, with all its functionality, I would most likely forget about VGA for the time being. Most devices are QVGA right now, anyway. So I have to say, providing that they truly manage to produce and ship it, this will absolutely be my next device. Forget the Universal, bring the MAGIC! Here's to hoping this thing isn't vaporware...

I also have to mention, that I'm surprised this isn't sparking more interest among the members here. Although it hasn't been released yet (hey, neither was Motorola's MPx and look at how much hype that thing generated), this convergence device is the most amazing thing to come around ever, in its class. Everyone went ga-ga over the MPx and the Universal, but it seems most here are silent about this device, which absolutely puts the MPx and Universal to shame.

Don't be shy! Share your opinions! There have to be more than just a mere few of us here really interested in voicing our anticipation over this thing!

[netboy]

Everyone went ga-ga over the MPx and the Universal, but it seems most here are silent about this device, which absolutely puts the MPx and Universal to shame.

Don't be shy! Share your opinions! There have to be more than just a mere few of us here really interested in voicing our anticipation over this thing!


here is what is wrong with this device! it' go NO VGA! do u know how hard is to surf web in QVGA? and do u know how hard is to use QVGA under Terminal Service? and this thing got no 3G speed! meaning no EVDO or UMTS! i guess u still using dialup 56.k at home? this thing is like 5 years late to the market. GIVE US VGA AND 3G SPEED, EVDO OR UMTS! THEN WE WILL GET INTERESTED AND PAYING 1000BUK FOR IT! 1000buk for a QVGA device with NO 3G speed is a really big joke!

[Phoenix]

here is what is wrong with this device! it' go NO VGA! do u know how hard is to surf web in QVGA? and do u know how hard is to use QVGA under Terminal Service? and this thing got no 3G speed! meaning no EVDO or UMTS! i guess u still using dialup 56.k at home? this thing is like 5 years late to the market. GIVE US VGA AND 3G SPEED, EVDO OR UMTS! THEN WE WILL GET INTERESTED AND PAYING 1000BUK FOR IT! 1000buk for a QVGA device with NO 3G speed is a really big joke!

It's clear that you're very upset over the fact that this does not have VGA and 3G, but relax a bit, the device still has a lot to offer.

And no, I don't use 56k at home, OK? :P Besides, wireless speeds and landline speeds are not the same thing - wireless doesn't move as fast as landline cable, and 3G is no exception. At least this device will offer EDGE, which is around 100kbps on the average.

Now it's hardly accurate to suggest the device is five years late to market. With all its features, it'll be state of the art. Although more and more devices are offering 3G, many of them, including ones that haven't even been officially released yet, do not, and most all have QVGA screens.

What will make this device expensive are all the other features that it offers. How many devices do you know of that propose to offer two full color touchscreens? 8GB HDD? 512MB RAM and 512MB ROM? Biometric fingerprint reader? Integrated GPS? And along with everything else (Wifi, BT, Quad-GSM, etc.). That's hardly five year old technology or a five year old spec list.

The MPx was QVGA (and I'm aware that the Universal is VGA), but as much as I'd love to see VGA, it's not the end of the world here. I, along with most others, have had no problem surfing the net with QVGA. Most people don't even have access to VGA, as most devices don't offer it.

At first, I was perplexed as to why they didn't utilize VGA, but as I've read more about the MAGIC, I'm fine with QVGA... for now. If they can actually make everything work well together, and it actually ships, nothing else will be able to hold a candle to it.

Now who can say for sure, but according to the manufacturer, the MAGIC isn't going to be offering 3G or VGA this time around. I know you feel the need to vent, but if 3G and VGA are that important to you, you're better off looking at something else, like the Universal, because this unit isn't going to give you what you obviously want.

That is, if this thing actually turns out to be real and doesn't get filed under the "vaporware" category.

[SteveHoward999]

I'm beginning to realize that for me to actually have something like this in my hands, with all its functionality, I would most likely forget about VGA for the time being. Most devices are QVGA right now, anyway.
.....................
I also have to mention, that I'm surprised this isn't sparking more interest among the members here.

There's no way I'm paying through the nose for all that technology, including a fancy-schmancy gpu and a ton of RAM, and then accept that it has to be crippled with a low-res screen.

I think this is the main reason for the lak of interest. A fantastic-sounding, if bulky, device with a huge price tag, more bulk than most of us can happily carry and a crippled display.

Shame.

[Joff]

2 x 2MegaPix camera? One camera has too many pixels!
Sounds like some bad design decisions have been made.
And I agree, it needs a VGA screen especially if it is going to run XP.

It's a shame because there is potential to get it right and even make a killer product if they manage to keep price down. But most companies
don't seem to get it right. Why, heh?

[Phoenix]

It's a crazy price for sure, but that's a lot of tech stuffed into a small package. Much more than even the Universal, and based on that unit running around $1000 on the average give or take, it's not surprising that this thing will be even more.

I'm not sure that they can get around the size with all the specs they propose it will have.

Also, it's not going to run XP yet, but I would have to agree that it will need VGA to even think about running an OS like XP. I can say that I would not want XP on a device this small, and I'm not sure what procs they'd need to run that, anyway (who knows what will happen there). I also can't see the advantage of that or how on earth you'd see anything on a 4" or smaller screen. Doesn't make sense to me. But like other things, I guess we'll reach that bridge when we come to it.

Although it doesn't use VGA screens now, as far as we all know, and as much as I'd love to see them, I can't agree that it would be crippled, as few devices even sport VGA screens as we speak and many QVGA screens still look nice. Although no one can confirm at this point what the screens will be like, I have no reason to suspect that they won't be as good as, say, what we've seen on an Imate JAM.

I have more hope that this will ship as it seems that things are progressing, but again, time will tell.

I'm still taking all of this with a grain of salt until it ships.