Opinions wanted on new mobile computing device
Seth, a member of the Pocketables Forum, is working with some friends to develop a new mobile computing device that would function as an all-in-one UMPC/MID, digital camera, and cell phone. After soliciting additional ideas in the forum, he's put together a set of preliminary specs and he'd like some feedback.
Take a look at the list below and tell him what you think. At the moment, the team is thinking of creating two versions of the unnamed device: a slate-style model and a "pro" model with a slide-out keyboard.
How would you change it? How much would you be willing to pay for it?
Specs (subject to change):
| OS: |
Proprietary OS, XP/Vista compatible (dual boot or single OS) |
| CPU: |
1.86GHz Intel Atom Z540 |
| Storage: |
64GB/128GB SSD, 60GB/120GB/240GB HDD |
| RAM: |
1GB/2GB |
| Display: |
5" OLED capacitive touchscreen (1280 x 800) haptic feedback, ambient light sensor, external display support, sunlight optimization |
| Wireless: |
WiFi, Bluetooth, 3G, GPS |
| Camera: |
3 megapixels, 3x optical zoom, flash |
| Input: |
On-screen keyboard, handwriting recognition (hardware keyboard on "pro" version) |
| Controls: |
2 PSP-style joysticks flanking display, D-Pad, 4 function buttons, lock slider, power switch, volume rocker |
| I/O Ports: |
2 USB 2.0, 3.5mm headphone, memory card, power/dock/port replicator connector, SIM card |
| Dimensions: |
6.5" x 3.2" x .75" (slate-style) 6.5" x 3.2" x 1.0" (w/keyboard) |
| Battery Life: |
5 hours continuous: WiFi/BT/GPS, used as UMPC 32 hours intermittent: 3G, used as cell phone |
| Included Accessories: |
Extra battery (hot swappable) Bluetooth headset and handset (to share SIM) Carrying case w/keyboard and mouse Carrying sleeve High quality earbuds Screen cleaning cloth Unit care set (cleaning/maintenance supplies) Power cord |
| Optional Accessories: |
Remote control Game controllers Dock w/ODD and extra battery charging station Port expansion adapters Wireless mouse and keyboard Legal pad-sized wireless/wired external touchscreen Laptop-like "dock" to slide device into for use as conventional laptop (includes extended battery, larger screen, speakers, ODD, extra hard drive, etc.) |
Timeframe:
- Lay out PCB design (next 6-8 months)
- Get body made (schematics already done)
- Write software
- Complete full Windows version (within 1.5 years, assuming funding continues)
- Complete optimized OS version (within 2-3 years)
- Get support from cell phone carriers
- Start shipping worldwide (within 3-4 years)
The specs will be updated as technology advances, which it certainly will given the timeframe, but this is where things stand today. Target price point is under $500 subsidized, $900 max unsubsidized ($1000+ for pro version).
So what do you think? It's ambitious, to be sure, but I think I'd buy one on the spot.
Image from Comic Book Journal.
