Original URL: http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/03/07/intel_umpc_concept/
The products are coming on Thursday, 9 March, but Intel is already telling us how we're all going to be using its new ultra-mobile PC (UMPC) platform, now revealed to be "designed to access online media and content on the go".
Intel is cagey about whether the UMPC is a PDA replacement - it counts too many PDA makers as customers, particularly of its XScale product line, to be so bold - but it's clear that's what the new platform is about. "The UMPC is a great PC companion," it says - the very role claimed by the original Palm Pilot, for example.
As we've note before, Intel may not care much about XScale (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/08/24/intel_ngma_socs/) any longer. It's next-generation architecture has the goal of delivering an sufficiently powerful x86 processor that can run the latest, full version of Windows yet still deliver PDA-standard battery life. If it achieves that, what's it need ARM's architecture for?
"The UMPC is powerful enough to provide a great gaming, music or video experience," chirps the chip giant on the UMPC-dedicated umpc.com website. And yet: "It is not designed to process lots of work or write a college thesis. You have your laptop or desktop for these tasks."
The Intel site confirms what's been assumed the platform will do from leaked promo video that apparently leaked out of Microsoft (http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/02/27/ms_intel_apple_ultra-mobile_pc/) last month. It's got a range of wireless technologies built in for ubiquitous connectivity, and Intel raises the frightening prospect of UMPC owners being spammed by shops and service providers as they pass by: "Get information on the hottest sales and promotions at the Mall while you drive by."
It's also got GPS for navigation and all the Internet-based communications tools already running on WIndows XP. Pictures show some models will sport integrated keypads. ®
Daewoo dips into UMPC pool (20 July 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/07/20/daewoo_ships_solo_m1_umpc/
Sony unveils Flash-based UMPC (27 June 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/06/27/sony_umpc_goes_flash/
Samsung to swap Intel for AMD in next UMPC? (5 June 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/06/05/samsung_preps_amd_umpc/
Sony set to unveil UMPC? (15 May 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/05/15/sony_vaio_umpc/
Samsung UMPC to ship worldwide 1 May (13 April 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/04/13/samsung_sets_q1_ship_date/
Averatec touts 3G, Wi-Fi UMPC (13 April 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/04/13/averatec_ahi_umpc/
Fujitsu exhibits fold-out keyboard UMPC (4 April 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/04/04/fujitsu_concept_pcs/
Samsung UMPC to cost UK buyers £800 (3 April 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/04/03/samsung_q1_umpc_uk_pricing/
Handheld Xbox: third time lucky for MS iPod killer scheme? (21 March 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/03/21/ms_ipod_killer_speculation/
Origami's the wrapper for a small PC (8 March 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/03/08/origami_umpc_clunker/
Intel's new 'Core' could gore AMD (7 March 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/03/07/intel_core_idf/
Intel to unveil ultra-mobile PC on 7 March (3 March 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/03/03/intel_umpc_launch/
MS to unfold Origami at CeBIT? (2 March 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/03/02/ms_origami_project_launch/
MS, Intel gear up to unveil ultra-mobile tablet PC (27 February 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/02/27/ms_intel_apple_ultra-mobile_pc/
Intel to use next-gen architecture for CE SoCs (24 August 2005)
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/08/24/intel_ngma_socs/
Intel promises Windows Vista on handhelds (23 August 2005)
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/08/23/intel_ppw_plan/