Introduction
Several years ago, Microsoft announced that they would change the face of mobile computing with the release of the Tablet PC. The concept was to allow a fully functional PC to be used on a mobile notebook platform that includes the ability to use a touch screen and pen interface. It never really caught on with the general consumer because the additional costs just didn't make it viable compared to a standard notebook of the same size.
Now Microsoft is once against claiming that they are going to change the face of mobile computing with the new Ultra-Mobile PC (UMPC). This article takes a look at the Origami project that was recently announced by Microsoft along with some prototype devices from hardware partners. Will these really be the next big thing, or will it end up being a highly niche product just like the Tablet PC?
What is UMPC?
The Ultra-Mobile PC is both a set of hardware specifications in addition to Microsoft's software and interface. The basic hardware is defined as follows by Microsoft:
- Approximately 7” or smaller diagonal display
- Minimum of 800x480 resolution
- Weight of around 2 pounds
- Integrated touch panel
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled
These are very general guidelines that the manufacturers can play around with. Two sample units can be seen at Microsoft's website.
As for the software, the system is going to run a special version of Windows XP OS Tablet Edition 2005 with a interface overlay called Windows Touch Pack. This part of the software is important as the UMPC does not integrate a keyboard. The key feature is the inclusion of two graphic wheels on the lower part of the screen that simulate a standard keyboard. The user types using both thumbs similar to what many people do with text messaging on cellular phones.
What is it Good At?
The area that the device will most likely be the most functional as early on is a mobile entertainment system. With the rise of devices such as the iPod video and other portable media devices, the UMPC has the ability built in to use Windows Media Player for music and movie content. With the wireless capability built in, users will also be able to download content to the device no matter where they are.
The device will also be very good at communications. With built in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth will allow the system to connect to the Internet at many different locations. This can enable remote email, web browser, VoIP and chatting. It will go well beyond the capabilities of a PDA or Blackberry device, albeit at a much larger size.
With all of this, the goal is to produce the UMPC devices and software for a price from around $600 to $1000. Much lower than previous Tablet PCs.
What Problems are There?
First off the device is not designed to be a replacement for a notebook computer. While it does use a full Windows operating system, it does not have the same features or functionality that one can find in even a budget notebook computer. The lack of a built in keyboard means that it is probably not suitable to replace a computer in a household but to be a supplement to it.
Second, with the design goal of making it highly mobile has also hampered its functional battery life. Sure, the UMPC will use very low voltage processors, but the size and weight limits prevent large batteries from being included inside of the unit. Many early test units have battery lifespans that are no better than a standard notebook of about 2 hours. This will really limit the amount the device can be used while moving about, one of the primary goals of the project.
Conclusions
Will the UMPC be a hit? At this point, I think that the device while it has its merits, the flaws in the battery life and its size not being as small as a standard PDA will make it a very niche product. It's kind of a mix between a glorified media player and a PDA. In fact, I think many early sales of the product will be to those people looking to use it specifically as a mobile video player. The other market that it might do well is those that need portable information accessible to them, such as doctors or traders in financial markets. The problem is that the limited battery life limits its use in both of these sectors.
The name of Ultra-Mobile PC is also a bit of a misnomer. Companies such as Sony, Toshiba, Fujitsu and others have been producing full notebook computers that aren't that much heavier or bigger than the UMPC devices yet are full fledge notebook computers that can do some things that the UMPC is not able to. And if a user really is looking at getting an extremely mobile information platform, they are more likely to go with a PDA device based on the PalmOS or the Windows Mobile platform.
The big thing going for the UMPC is the price. If Microsoft and the partners can keep the price down to the lower part of their range, it will likely become a very popular portable media player more so than a portable computer platform.
