06Jun2006
Kevin [jkOnTheRun] has a neat posting of how seamlessly the Think Outside stowaway BT keyboard works with the Q1.
So what’s the verdict after several days of use? A keyboard has it’s time and place; same conclusion as before. For lengthy text entry like this post, it’s appropriate to use a keyboard. I actually find myself moving “in-and-out” of input contexts; I’ll type something, then perhaps touch the screen for something etc….
If a keyboard is a “must have”, then this particular keyboard is an excellent match for a UMPC, Windows Mobile or other portable device that supports Bluetooth. The small size but excellent functionality makes it a winner, so of course, if I keep the Q1, I’ll be keeping the Stowaway keyboard I purchased as well.
[ Read on ]
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23Mar2006
With UMPCs arriving soon, Sling media announced the Sling Player Mobile, which supports the Smartphones, PDS and we guess for the UMPCs too (assuming microsoft has them listed in the Accessories section of the UMPC Site). So what can the Sling player mobile do for ya?
…the new software now available as an open beta for Slingbox customers. SlingPlayer Mobile extends Slingbox functionality to PDAs and smartphones powered by the Windows Mobile operating system. SlingPlayer Mobile gives Slingbox owners the most powerful option available in mobile television, combining their unique personal home TV experience with their mobile phones or PDAs.
Beginning April 26th, the retail SlingPlayer Mobile software will be available for $29.99 and includes a free 30-day trial. Slingbox owners who purchase and register their Slingbox prior to April 26th will receive a free license for SlingPlayer Mobile. There are no monthly or recurring charges for the use of SlingPlayer Mobile.
SlingPlayer Mobile uses the network connection on a user’s device such as high-speed cellular services (3G or EV-DO), WiFi, as well as USB or Bluetooth.
Get the details and full set of features at [Sling Player Mobile]
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16Mar2006
Posted by Joe
in Accessories.
As we get closer to seeing the UMPCs in stores, we thought it would be interesting to think about the accessories that might hit the shelves as well. This is just an idea of where the UMPCs accessory market might take us in the near future…
- A full sized keyboard with a neat dock that will make life much easier for those who need to use it when at desk.
- A USB mini foldable keyboard for those who travel.
- A Dock that has an RF receiver so we can use those RF remote controls to do stuff and UMPCast some shows, movies and music to other gadgets.
- A Remote control, something along the lines of what we have for Media Center PCs but much smaller and smarter.
- A lightweight DVR Software customized for the UMPC that can record live TV/ shows and store them (ah, we have the sling media giving us a hand already)
We’re excited to hear from you too…
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13Mar2006
We’ve seen a lot of prototypes, videos, reviews and specs. So what can we do with it? Here is a brief list of things that we MIGHT be able to do with our UMPCs. These are just a few of the things that could be done and not the official list of features or must-do kind of a thing.
This little gadget is called “Ultra Mobile PC”, saying this, it should be treated as a PC which is mobile; not exactly like a laptop neither a Smart Phone kind of a thing, this is in between these two.
Work: Sure, this device will be powered by Windows XP (customized edition) but we can not expect this to be doing all that we did on regular PC, but a whole lot of it, like
- Checking your emails on the run & replying them
- View, Review and Share Documents
- Make & Show off Powerpoint presentations
- Chat with your friends & Colleagues for work & fun
Now, please don’t ask us if you can install Photoshop, Maya or any of those resource consuming applications on this. Well even if there is a way to do it, you don’t want to do it.
Videos: It better be a mobile entertainment thingy. Oh yes! you can have a lot of fun with this when it comes to entertainment.
- Watch Videos off your Hard Drive & on the internet.
- Watch Live Free TV (not all models might have the TV tuner card built-in)
- Stream your Videos from the UMPC to your Mega Plasma & LCD TVs
Microsoft has already made deals with Movielink, so we can for sure expect some live streaming Movies on these devices, more like a pay-per-view or pay-per-download kind of a thing. Another thing to note is that Microsoft has teamed up with Sling Media:We can pretty much watch those channels we have subscribed via our Cable or Satellite on the device where ever you are in the world (provided you have the access to the web)
Music: Lot of folks were wondering if they can install iTunes on it. Well even if not, sure someone is going to find a way to do it.
- Listen to your favorite Music off the UMPC or on the Internet
- Listen to LIVE Radio (again hardware dependent)
- Stream your Music from the UMPC to your Pumped up Music Systems.
Talking about music, the deal that Microsoft has made with MTV should come in handy and sure you would have some service that lets you watch your MTV shows on this nifty device. If you can Podcast it to an iPod, why not LIVECAST it to UMPCs
Play:
- Sudoku: Looks like one of the famous games will be included in the touch pack
- Tones of other games that are already in use could be installed
- Sure there are even more designed specifically for your UMPCs that will be announced soon
Mobile: Yep you might not find it as attractive as an iPod nano but you CAN carry (may be in a BAG of its own & not in your pocket from the dimensions we see) this device to listen to music, but there are other things which would be really cool, like
- Having this docked in your Car, which supplies charge to the power hungry device (3 hours of battery is not enough)
- Use the bluetooth enabled Pharohs GPS unit and Cruise on the Freeway with Voice enabled Streets and Maps.
- Stream wirelessly (RF) Music from your device to your Car Stereo
- With Bluetooth built in, sure we can think of ways the you can use it with your mobile phone while driving as a Handsfree.
Matter of fact, Pharos has announced the Pharos iGPS-500, a powerful new GPS receiver designed to work with the groundbreaking new class of Microsoft Ultra Mobile PCs. The iGPS-500 will provide mobile professionals with advanced location and navigation capabilities as a part of a comprehensive desktop experience on a lightweight mobile PC.
Click here to read the press release
So UMPCians, go ahead send in your comments on what other things could be done, Sure there are even more creative people out there…
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