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Microsoft unveiled details for Ultra-Mobile Personal
Computers (UMPCs), a new category of mobile computing devices that features
small, lightweight, carry-everywhere hardware designs coupled with the full
functionality of a Microsoft Windows-based PC and a choice of input options,
including enhanced touch-screen capabilities. The debut of UMPCs at CeBIT, the
world's largest trade fair showcasing digital IT and telecommunications
solutions, follows Microsoft Chairman and Chief Software Architect Bill Gates'
call in 2005 for the computer industry to develop a new category of PCs that are
less expensive, lighter and more functional.
Here is Bill Mitchell, Corporate VP of Microsoft's
Windows Mobile Platforms Division, discussing UMPCs and explaining how these new
devices are different from other mobile computers.
What are Ultra-Mobile PCs?
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| Using the Microsoft Touch Pack for Windows
XP on the Samsung Q1 Ultra-Mobile PC. The software optimizes the touch
screen user interface for UMPCs to simplify navigation and ease-of-use
while on the go |
Bill : UMPCs are a new category of mobile PCs designed to support our
increasing mobile lifestyles. They support mobile-tuned user interface features
such as touch, pen and dedicated buttons as well as keyboards for convenient
access to Windows-based applications on-the-go. The extremely mobile nature of
these devices, together with the richness of Windows PC technology, combine to
create a powerful platform for mobile communications, entertainment, gaming and
new scenarios such as location-based services as well.
The 'Origami' project is really our first step toward
achieving a big vision. We believe that UMPCs will eventually become as
indispensable and ubiquitous as mobile phones are today. We are working toward
that goal with a sequence of advances in hardware and software. Our next step
along the roadmap will take place in the Windows Vista release timeframe. But
today's UMPCs are a great choice for all those situations when you're on the
go, but need to keep informed, entertained and connected via the full
functionality of a Windows PC
Can you briefly describe the technology behind UMPCs?
Bill : UMPCs combine the power of the Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC
Edition operating system and other innovative new technologies from Microsoft
and its partners, making them more mobile and simpler to use than previous
mobile computers.
For example, the new, preinstalled Microsoft Touch Pack for Windows XP software
optimizes the touch screen user interface for UMPCs to simplify navigation and
ease-of-use while on the go.
The Touch Pack's customizable Program Launcher
organizes software programs into categories, and uses large buttons and icons to
make it easy to find and open your favorite applications. The Touch Pack also
includes a thumb-based, on-screen keyboard that's touch-optimized for easy
text input. It also helps improve a user's portable media experience with the
inclusion of the new Brilliant Black for Windows Media Player skin. Touch Pack
software also helps keep you entertained with the introduction of Microsoft
Sudoku, a highly entertaining touch and ink-enabled game. While the first
generation of UMPCs will run Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005, future models
will run on Windows Vista.
Although hardware designs will vary by manufacturer, UMPCs
will all feature small, lightweight designs that are optimized for mobility and
ease of input. According to current baseline physical specifications,
Windows-based UMPC devices will weigh less than 2 pounds (.9 kilo); with a
7-inch ( 17.8 centimeters) screen size that offers the user a choice of text
input methods.
The touch-enhanced display can be used as an on-screen
QWERTY keyboard (called dial keys) to navigate, or users can employ a stylus to
input handwritten information. They can also input content with a traditional
keyboard, linked either by USB port or wireless Bluetooth connectivity. UMPC
devices will have a battery life of two and a half hours or more, and feature
30-60 GB hard drive for storage, with Intel Celeron M, Intel Pentium M or VIA
C7-M processors.
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