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Ultra-Mobile PC

In personal computers, Ultra-Mobile PC (often abbreviated UMPC) is a term for a small form factor and specification for tablet PCs. Originally codenamed Project Origami, the project was launched in 2006 as a collaboration between Microsoft, Intel, Samsung, and a few others.

History

In February 2006, a viral marketing campaign was quietly launched for the UMPC, then still referred to by its codename, “Project Origami”. Speculation over “what is Origami?” and pictures of the rumored prototypes were passed around and covered extensively on Engadget, Scobleizer,^[1] Thatedeguy^[2] and other technology sites. Finalization of the Origami project was announced in time to keep the excitement level high for CeBIT.

Much speculation positioned Origami as a portable gaming device that would directly compete with Nintendo‘s DS and Sony‘s PSP. This rumor gained credibility after videos were leaked showing Halo: Combat Evolved being played on a UMPC. While the movie was quickly taken down from its original source, mirrors exist on many other sites. Later in the week, the Associated Press confirmed that “Origami” was actually to be a regular PC with “limited gaming capabilities”

Features

Project Origami defines a specification for computers with a 20 cm (8-inch) or smaller touch sensitive screen at a minimum resolution of 800 × 480. To make it more suited for the small form factor, Windows XP Tablet PC Edition is used with slight tweaks to the interface. In addition, a software suite known as the Touch Pack Interface is included to make the interface more suitable for use of a stylus as well as hands. When the UMPC was disclosed at CeBIT 2006, Samsung, ASUS, and Founder had near-complete devices on display.

UMPCs with Windows XP installed are able to run any software that has been written for the Windows XP platform, though the small form factor often mandates some changes to the interface. The standard Windows XP interface is the default, though a choice of having an interface more suited for the small form factor is available with the Touch Pack Interface. As the units are so small, many UMPCs do not feature a physical keyboard, but an on-screen virtual keyboard provided in the Touch Pack Interface (such as the DialKeys, below). Also, since the device has standard USB 2.0 connectivity, external keyboards and mice can be attached.

UMPC devices include either Intel or VIA processors, 256 MB to 2 GB of RAM, and a 30 to 160 GB hard disk, depending on the manufacturer.^[10] Other ultra mobile devices feature AMD or Transmeta Crusoe CPUs. Ultra-Mobile PCs can also feature Global Positioning System (GPS) devices, webcams, fingerprint readers, stereo speakers, TV tuners, and memory card readers. Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Ethernet and WWAN connections are sometimes included as well.

UMPCs have enough processing power to support audio, video, and gaming, in addition to having rich support for browsing the internet as well as for other communication and networking applications. Windows Media Player is included, with a special skin designed to provide a better experience on the small screen. The devices also feature DirectX 9–class graphics, and all applications available for standard Tablet PCs are expected to be compatible.

Prices of UMPCs are gradually coming down to the US$500 range. Battery life is expected to increase from the initial 2½ hours to 8 hours.Most UMPCs are now available with Windows Vista although many new UMPCs come with the option to have XP or Linux installed, as some devices are too sluggish to run Vista. One example of this is the Samsung Q1 Ultra which originally launched with only Vista versions, but has subsequently launched Windows XP versions. This is largely due to the fact that current UMPC hardware may be too close to the minimum Vista requirements to be comfortably used.

DialKeys

A new text input method was implemented for the Ultra-Mobile PC. Consisting of two rings of keys around the lower corners of the screen, DialKeys is intended for use with the thumbs.

Accessories

There are currently several companies developing accessories exclusively for the 7″ UMPC platform. These include carry cases, screen protectors, styli, protective bump cases and docking stations. In addition, several prototypes of “mounting solutions” have been previewed which permit the UMPC device to be mounted in the car, on the wall or attached to an adjustable arm. User interface software that enables UMPC’s to become portable “infotainment” devices is evolving. There are touch-friendly, voice-controlled, user interface software platforms designed to run on Windows XP and Vista-based UMPCs that allows users to control Windows without the need of a mouse and keyboard.

Programs

• Microsoft Office OneNote
• GO Corporation
• Agilix GoBinder
• Mobilis – Protectis Range
• EverNote
• InkSeine