I'm excited before UMPC and/or Origami launch, an Ultra Mobile solution with WinXP and a touch screen, sound great. But, when hardware specifications were unveils ; i was puzzle by the result. I use a palm since 1996, yes, the rectangular gray palm with green back light, and before that i own a Newton. Years after year, i don't care about palm, wince, winxp or linux anymore, but i focus my mind on functionality and simplicity because theses points are more important that other nerds consideration. Actually, i've a Zire 72, several SD memory card, a keyboard, a bunk of commercial and freeware software and even a GPS. It's small, pretty efficient and evolutive. I can only take my palm for every day, or take keyboard and/or GPS on vacation. I use DocumentToDoc to write memo or prepare a keynote. VersaMail to read and write mail, i can even write sms or MMS. I play divx, mp3... My palm is also my usb key with CardExport II. For internet browsing, i've got build-in webpro, and Opera mini, i can chat on msn, yahoo, icq, irc, and gtalk. For internet access, at home i use a wireless router, everywhere else i use my cell phone with free unlimited data access. At home, my palm is also my universal remote control for my HTPC with an home brew digital.home software.
What's difference with an UMPC, in terms of functionality ? WinXp, larger storage, bigger screen. But, price is also bigger, not like autonomy. Well, you have winxp, and ... ? you can play game ? no. You have big screen but you can't play a dvd ! With an 1h45 battery life time, you kidding ! You have a falcon jet with 1 gallon of fuel . Think about another detail, boot time with winxp, let assume it's 10 sec in an optimistic way, there's no boot with a PDA, on/off in 1 sec. I use my palm to write this text, and listen pink floyd staring at the fresh sun of April. I can publish this on my blog after lunch, in 2 or 3 clicks, without taking my cell phone off my jean. Or just leave it, and next sync it will be publish. I've a lot of hours ahead of me before palm run out of battery, i can recharge it in the car, or even using geek solution ;) In a blink of an eyes every think was off and in my pocket, no shutdown time, no bag. I can carry only the palm and GPS, for geocaching. Modular devices is Ultra Mobility.
Surely, one day, i will throw away my palm and take a brand new stuff, but not now. I wait at least a longer battery life, more than 6 hours, and a lower price ! I think UMPC/Origami will stay a concept or a luxury niche market , probably because you will find Ultra Portable very sexy, with TV tuner like the latest Fujitsu Loox T70 for less than $1000 and much more features and battery life time.
