[ricksfiona]

Originally Posted by Felix Torres

What makes this particular prototype significant is that it is intended to sell for $800 in 18 months.
It has a 9" screen, is about 8" by 6" by ~0.5" and weighs one pound.

If this thing is 8" x 6", it's too big for a PDA. PDA's aren't going anywhere. PDA's are just too convenient to put in your pocket and even at the level they're at now, can be used for many laptop needs. I haven't needed a laptop in about 3 years since I got my first iPAQ.

But I would LOVE to have one of these for my consultant business. I carry a carrying case with me everywhere, so putting one of these in it would be awesome. The screen size alone offers so many possibilities. If it had integrated GSM/GPRS, the possibiities to businesses that have people on the road would be amazing. Gone are the specialized, and probably expensive, proprietary devices that freight companies use. Many many possibilities.

$800 in 18 months... I'll be there with a check if this is true. It's going to be tough waiting that long.

[ricksfiona]

Originally Posted by Felix Torres

What makes this particular prototype significant is that it is intended to sell for $800 in 18 months.
It has a 9" screen, is about 8" by 6" by ~0.5" and weighs one pound.

If this thing is 8" x 6", it's too big for a PDA. PDA's aren't going anywhere. PDA's are just too convenient to put in your pocket and even at the level they're at now, can be used for many laptop needs. I haven't needed a laptop in about 3 years since I got my first iPAQ.

But I would LOVE to have one of these for my consultant business. I carry a carrying case with me everywhere, so putting one of these in it would be awesome. The screen size alone offers so many possibilities. If it had integrated GSM/GPRS, the possibiities to businesses that have people on the road would be amazing. Gone are the specialized, and probably expensive, proprietary devices that freight companies use. Many many possibilities.

$800 in 18 months... I'll be there with a check if this is true. It's going to be tough waiting that long.

[IpaqMan2]

Originally Posted by Jonathan1

Seriously this is where we will be in 5-10 years. The Pocket PC is a rest stop on the interstate of ultra mobile devices. Only the delusional thought that MS was going to continue to have separate OS’s long term. Eventually the PPC and WINCE will go bye bye and everything will be running one OS that probably will be module or something.

I believe there is more truth to your thoughts than not. The Money maker for Microsoft is their desktop software like Windows XP and face it... Windows XP can do everything and run most everything in the business world and even everything Windows CE can do. Sure CE or Windows Mobile can boot up from flash memory but give alittle creative thinking and engineering, in time we may see a handheld version of XP booting from a flash drive of 10 to 20 gigs in near the same time of current PDAs with an interface simulare to PPCs but with the ability to run everything XP can. As sad as it is...Pocket PCs in my opinion or the Palm OS for that matter is a little more than a glorified date book (and I say this with the deepest respect since I love my PPC),and outside of that use, it's just trying to mimic the productivity on a mobile stance which Windows XP is already doing. I believe Microsoft is just waiting for the hardware to catch up. There is no real point for Microsoft to continue to develope Windows CE to the point that it we be everything their flagship software can do (windows XP) with out the same profit margin as there is on their desktop software. We already see this happening with Pocket Word and I think in the future, Microsoft will push so that all power users of the Pocket PCs platform will switch to a much more modulare and slim version of a true Pocket PC running Windows XP or whatevery they decide to call it at that time.

Of course Windows CE will always be around since Microsoft will continue to use that OS in embedded devices to continue to enter into new markets such as, toasters, refrigerator, car stereo's, GPS units, smartphones, gas pumps, and so on until Microsoft has control of the world with everything running their software. :devilboy:

[ricksfiona]

This device is so exciting, I just have to write more about it!!! Plus I've read more comments and have gotten the idea machine turning...

I agree, with this device, the PDA will become a simple address book. At least in the business community. With this device, I can sync. it with my Smartphone and keep contacts and calendar items current, then take my Smartphone with me when carrying this new device would be too cumbersome or unnecessary. The Smartphone will be enough when not using this new device.

But this device has to be reliable, have good performance and battery life is critical. Hopefully the new battery technology we've been seeing recently will make it into this device making charge-ups less of an issue. It also must have plenty of connectivity options like Bluetooth, WiFi, LAN and USB.

I also don't see a problem with this device needing a reboot. As long as the OS is properly locked down from problem users, it shouldn't be a problem. The only time my computer or one of my client's computers needs rebooting is when we're doing things to it when we shouldn't. No problem.

The countdown for this starts now... I guess we're looking at Oct '07 for a release date? Jason, could you put a timer on the banner to remind us?

[Dalantech]

With the way that technology is advancing I don't see any "show stoppers" with a device that small. Lithium batteries are increasing in power and decreasing in size and displays, CPUs, GPUs, etc. are getting more power efficient. Add a couple of GBs of internal CF storage to a small device to hold the XP OS and you'd have a fast boot. The size of the Windows directory on my laptop is just a little over 3GBs and that's only because of all the uninstall directories left over from XP updates...

[AzrealJG]

Originally Posted by Felix Torres

The purpose of the WinHec prototypes is to highlight several new PC technologies to be available in early 07 Longhorn portables.
Some of the technologies coming to 07 PCs include:
- TabletPC functionality as a part of the baseline OS
- Flash ram (1Gb) caches as part of the HD to extend battery life
- 1.1 Ghz (or faster) ultra-low power Pentium M
- Instant on courtesy of flash ram hibernation

Any idea if it's a touch screen, or if uses the same wacom style stylus and screen sensor as current TabletPC's?

[Felix Torres]

Originally Posted by AzrealJG

Any idea if it's a touch screen, or if uses the same wacom style stylus and screen sensor as current TabletPC's?

Wacom all the way.
That's the only way they can get the all-screen look.
Touch screens require anywhere from 1/4 inch to 1/2 bezels.
And the bigger the screen, the bigger the bezel.
As to resolution, I've seen no published results, but given the time frame and likely source (portable DVD players) I'm guessing its a 16 by 10 aspect ratio 1280 by 768 9 incher.
In fact, a couple years ago, MS fronted Toshiba a few hundred million bucks (aka, pocket money) to build super-hi res screen for ebook readers. This may be the result of that deal.

As for this kind of device replacing PDAs, yes and no.
There is this PDA myth that all PDAs have to be pocketable.
They don't have to.
The market is smaller for the larger form factors (Samsung Nexio, NEC MobilePro, etc) but those that need them swear by them.
Newtons were also in the 8" range too, so this form factor is quite viable.
Its worth remembering that zillions of folks have been carrying three-pound 8by6 paper planners for decades.
Cutting the weight by two thirds and the bulk by half and gaining a full-feature PC in return is a trade-off anybody would make.

That said, there is and likely will be room in the market for a full range of products in the sub-notebook arena, ranging from smart phones to full tablets.

What we now consider a PDA is likely to be mostly absorbed by imate Jam-class smart phones and portable media centers, except for blister-pack low-end loss-leaders like the Zires. (I for one am hoping *somebody* does a blister-pack PocketPC; they would certainly advance the ebook cause a great deal.)

The great question mark, I think, is whether there will be much room in the market for a premium, non-hd, pocketable computer. Whether it runs Windows Mobile, Windows embedded, or full Longhorn is irrelevant; the marketability will depend on differentiation of features and price and with a mini-tablet in the $800-1200 range and a Jam-class communicator in the $400 range the gap is pretty tight; lots of engineering needed to meet the size and function requirements, little pricing range to make a profit after building it.

Best guess? There will be a niche market for them but at a price closer to the original 3xxx-series iPaqs.

[pjtrader]

Originally Posted by Felix Torres

Its worth remembering that zillions of folks have been carrying three-pound 8by6 paper planners for decades.
Cutting the weight by two thirds and the bulk by half and gaining a full-feature PC in return is a trade-off anybody would make.

Bingo.

There is a market for people who want more than a PDA and less than a 8lb laptop.

And considering the quick addition of a port replicator/docking station means that the portability can, in theory, be seamless, there's a lot of potential in this device.

[rmasinag]

I'm a college student. I'd like a notebook that's smaller than 2 lbs. but at the same time more powerfuland bigger screen than a PPC (tried creating ppt or writing a 30 page paper on your PPC?)
I notice since 2003 the steady incrrase of ultraportable notebooks among students which I know use some of their student loans to pay for the more smaller, expensive devices.

It's one thing to have money cause almost all you guys do is work, it's another thing for students who might have to work too and not have enough money. I can see that $800 would be great for students who look for a more simple device who mainly type papers, do powerpoint, and go on the net for online research.

Maybe it's just me, or may be in Hawaii, about 70% of students have almost a full time job just to afford living ang going to school.

BTW is Bill Gates been friends with Jared the Subway guy lately?

CHEERS!

[jaarso]

Originally Posted by Jason Dunn

That's just it - the first generation devices will probably be $2000 or so...which means few people will buy them out of the gate.

I did notice how different he looked in that photo - I think he almost looks unhealthy actually...let's hope not. :-)

According to the article posted on Brighthand, it will be priced at less than $1000. Take a look at http://www.brighthand.com/article/Ga...ra_Mobile_2007

[Jonathan1]

Originally Posted by jaarso

According to the article posted on Brighthand, it will be priced at less than $1000. Take a look at http://www.brighthand.com/article/Ga...ra_Mobile_2007

Thousand? 8O :huh: :jawdrop:

Who do I have to b.....*coughs* Umm. Hi. Lovely weather we are having today.