CeBit America 2004: Preliminary Press Event Peek

[Pat Logsdon]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/articles.php?action=expand,5557&sid=a33ee74f3acf20fbb922439cf808ada1' target='_blank'>http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com...922439cf808ada1</a><br /><br /></div>The intrepid Suhit over at <a href="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/articles.php?action=expand,5557&amp;sid=a33ee74f3acf20fbb922439cf808ada1">Digital Media Thoughts</a> has managed to get himself a press pass to CeBit America. As you might imagine, he took many photos of a plethora of interesting devices (a veritable cornicopia, if you will). :) First up, the Motorola MPx, which looks much more usable now that they've ditched the freakish curvy black and white keyboard:<br /><br /> <img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/logsdon_20040526_cebitmpx.jpg" /> <br /><br />"I finally get to touch the Motorola MPX. Two words - I want. However, it is a little bigger than I expected. To some extent, I might even want the Nokia 9500. But still, the MPX is so pretty." OQO was there as well, showing off their Model 01, which is apparently being tested by 40 corporations (read: potential customers) at this very moment. Here's a photo to slake your thirst:<br /><br /> <img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/logsdon_20040526_cebitoqo.jpg" /> <br /><br />There's also news on the SanDisk front: "There were far too many people around the Sandisk booth so I really did not get a chance to chat with anyone. I did however get a roadmap from both Sandisk and SD Card Association and apparently the 2GB SD card is right around the corner, i.e. probably end of Q3 this year." From everything I've been hearing, this show is a bit sparse. Let's hope that a few more companies cough up a few more tasty devices at the real event tomorrow...

[dh]

A very interesting article. One disapointing aspect is how large the OQO looks, unless that is a person with very tiny hands. I'm begining to think that the ultimate mobile device would be a version of the Zaurus with mini hard drive and fast processor. Win XP devices might always be too big.

Suhit certainly found that there are good things being developed though. That 9500 Nokia looks to be worth checking out. It's been years since I had a Symbian device.

Update: I saw the picture of the OQO next to an Ipaq (one of the proper ones) at www.gadgetaddict.com and the two are about the same size. Maybe the person in Suhit's photo does have the world's smallest hands after all. :D

[Janak Parekh]

Update: I saw the picture of the OQO next to an Ipaq (one of the proper ones) at www.gadgetaddict.com and the two are about the same size. Maybe the person in Suhit's photo does have the world's smallest hands after all. :D
Both Suhit and I handled the OQO for an extended period of time, and we have strong opinions on the device. :) We'll post on it tomorrow. Kati was there too, and she might have some feedback as well.

--janak

[encece]

The MPx is great....I not only want one. I NEEED ONE!

[gorkon280]

The MPx Keyboard is still curvy....it's just body colored now.

My Powerbook is almost the same size as this oqo.

[Zack Mahdavi]

My Powerbook is almost the same size as this oqo.

Umm, just out of curiosity, what Powerbook do you have? :) I have a 12" Powerbook, and it's MUCH larger than the OQO.

If you haven't looked at the www.gadgetaddict.com pics, go look... they have the OQO next to an iPaq, and they are about the same size.

[Kacey Green]

I now see the use of the OQO, I used to think it was bigger than a PPC, but windows XP in a PPC sized device will be awesome, I still think it should run XP tablet though. (MS probably won't let them right?)

[dh]

Update: I saw the picture of the OQO next to an Ipaq (one of the proper ones) at www.gadgetaddict.com and the two are about the same size. Maybe the person in Suhit's photo does have the world's smallest hands after all. :D
Both Suhit and I handled the OQO for an extended period of time, and we have strong opinions on the device. :) We'll post on it tomorrow. Kati was there too, and she might have some feedback as well.

--janak
I'll be very interested to hear what you think Janak. Have you handled the FlipStart as well, by any chance? I'm not sure that any are floating around yet. That's the new device I think I would be most interested in. The specs are great.

I've also read that it would be possible to run one of the Linux distributions on it since the processor is supported, now that would be really interesting.

One thing's for sure, the PDA as we have known it the last couple of years does not seem to have a future. Tiny full function computer or converged data and phone seem to be the way forward.

[Chris Spera]

Janak, et All,

have you been able to find out which carriers in the US will have the MPx? If not, could you please ask at the show and see what kind of answer you get? I'd really appreciate knowing if you can get an answer!


Thanks!!!

[encece]

I read a rumor that AT&T is "strongly considering" the MPx

[Sparkomatic]

I heard T-Mobile was coming out with it at the end of June. Of course, that's from the rumor mill.

[ctmagnus]

I read a rumor that AT&T is "strongly considering" the MPx

I hope that means that Rogers will carry it as well! But since Rogers switched their brand from Rogers AT&T to just Rogers a few months ago, that may not happen. :(

[Janak Parekh]

I'll be very interested to hear what you think Janak. Have you handled the FlipStart as well, by any chance?
Nope. The Linux question did come up, and they said it should work, but I have no further data in that direction.

Chris, the MPx wasn't on the expo floor. I'll ask Suhit what he heard, if anything, during the press event (I was busy that night :cry:).

--janak

[ubersoldat]

Have anyone of you guys saw "24" Season 3 ? The bad guy there was using something like the "OQO Model 01". I wonder if it is the same ?

[Gen-M]

Have anyone of you guys saw "24" Season 3 ? The bad guy there was using something like the "OQO Model 01". I wonder if it is the same ?

Yes, it was an OQO in "24". But custom software :lol:

[jpaq]

Have anyone of you guys saw "24" Season 3 ? The bad guy there was using something like the "OQO Model 01". I wonder if it is the same ?

Gen-M beat me to the punch. It was an OQO. When I saw it, the firt thing I looked for was a brand and it said it right on the case.

Good Eye! :D

[stephman]

Janak, et All,

have you been able to find out which carriers in the US will have the MPx? If not, could you please ask at the show and see what kind of answer you get? I'd really appreciate knowing if you can get an answer!

Thanks!!!

Chris,
just saw this post over at Mobile Gadget News. Who knows if it's true, but it's more info to throw into the hat.

http://www.mobilegadgetnews.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=1486&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0

[Bill Gunn]

The MPx is great....I not only want one. I NEEED ONE!

320x240 MUST DIE! :twisted:

[jake080]

320x240 MUST DIE! :twisted:

YES!!!! KILL IT NOW!!!!

[Kacey Green]

320x240 MUST DIE! :twisted:

YES!!!! KILL IT NOW!!!!

Lets not kill it but rather, make the rquirment VGA, except on devices with square screens (they should be 640*640 :D )

[Scott R]

The MPx Keyboard is still curvy....it's just body colored now.Yeah, I don't really care what color the keys are. My problem with it is the layout. I don't see how having one half of the keyboard be curved like that can be a good thing for typing. I'd love to try one out in person though.

Scott

[Kati Compton]

Re: resolution discussion

I'm not sure how much resolution I care to have on a sub 3" screen. I mean, more resolution == more $. So, if it doesn't make a useable difference, I don't want it. Now, on a 4" screen... That's an entirely different story. :) I saw Janak's e800 the other day, and it's pretty nice.

[yawanag]

The MPx Keyboard is still curvy....it's just body colored now.Yeah, I don't really care what color the keys are. My problem with it is the layout. I don't see how having one half of the keyboard be curved like that can be a good thing for typing. I'd love to try one out in person though.

Scott

The keyboard and memory are a real deterrent for me. I'd love to handle one before buying. Haven't gotten any price details yet, either.

My contract with T-Mobile expires in September. Come on guys get an A-1 device out there before then.

[soda97]

not sure if this is the right place to ask
do you think OQO can play game such as need for speed underground
i'm a lil worry about the Transmeta processor, 256mb ram and 5" screen
any idea?

thanks,
soda

[Gen-M]

Both Suhit and I handled the OQO for an extended period of time, and we have strong opinions on the device. :) We'll post on it tomorrow. Kati was there too, and she might have some feedback as well.

--janak

I'll be interested in your hands-on comments. Did you get to see the dongle with multiple interfaces?

[Kati Compton]

I'll be interested in your hands-on comments. Did you get to see the dongle with multiple interfaces?
You mean the long multi-port cable? Yes.

[jizmo]

not sure if this is the right place to ask
do you think OQO can play game such as need for speed underground
i'm a lil worry about the Transmeta processor, 256mb ram and 5" screen
any idea?
Yes, it's a perfect place to ask, this being a PC gaming site and all.

But, to answer your question: No. Some older games might work, but neither the device or Transmeta processors are made for gaming in mind.

/jizmo

[soda97]

aww....man
i think it'll be cool by showing off you can play such a game on that lil system
what about the one sony has type U70
centrino, 512mb ram, 5" screen also but 800x600 resolution, don't know bout video
if it works i might consider sony instead
=)

thanks,
soda

[Kati Compton]

I hope you're not thinking of gaming on the unit *without* an external keyboard, mouse, and monitor. ;)

[Janak Parekh]

I'll be interested in your hands-on comments. Did you get to see the dongle with multiple interfaces?
You mean the long multi-port cable? Yes.
It's worth adding, though, that we were asked not to take photos of that thing -- it's apparently not in final form.

As for gaming, it apparently has a 3D chipset. However, we didn't test its performance. Besides, as Kati implies, controls would be an issue. :)

--janak

[Gen-M]

It's worth adding, though, that we were asked not to take photos of that thing -- it's apparently not in final form.

--janak

That's a relief - the pictures that I've seen look pretty ugly.

The concept is good. Lets hope their design team can come up with something workable for a wearable.

[donbacardi]

After visiting the recent CeBIT 2004 fairgrounds up in Hannover, Germany--didn't recall seeing some of these goodies.....probably didn't look hard enough.

:bad-words:

[Janak Parekh]

After visiting the recent CeBIT 2004 fairgrounds up in Hannover, Germany--didn't recall seeing some of these goodies.....probably didn't look hard enough.
Don't complain too much. ;) CeBIT America, the expo, was quite lame - worse than last year's here in NYC. At least CeBIT Germany is huge...

--janak

[jlp]

[quote=DonBacardi]CeBIT America, the expo, was quite lame - worse than last year's here in NYC. At least CeBIT Germany is huge...

My understanding of the reason is because most large corporations are US: IBM, HP, Dell, CA, Sun, Microsoft, SAP, etc. or Japanese: Sony, Sharp, etc. they have enough drive and money to show their products in Europe where they are very well implemented. OTOH many German CeBIT exhibitors are average to small to even tiny one person companies that don't have the drive and money (and/or courage against the big US "monsters") to go and show their stuff at the US CeBIT.

[Janak Parekh]

My understanding of the reason is because most large corporations are US: IBM, HP, Dell, CA, Sun, Microsoft, SAP, etc. or Japanese: Sony, Sharp, etc. they have enough drive and money to show their products in Europe where they are very well implemented.
I don't think that's it. Back in the '90s, there was COMDEX and PC Expo, and both of them were absolutely massive -- I'd say, at its peak, PC Expo was about 5 times bigger than CeBIT America, for instance -- and COMDEX was probably 3-4 times bigger than PC Expo. 8O In fact, COMDEX was held in multiple large hotels in Vegas.

Instead, companies have gotten it in their head that expos no longer provide enough ROI here in the United States. It's possible that influence will spread to Europe, too... :|

--janak