PDA Killer or Thickening Vapor?

asklepius writes "The OQO handheld PC (which was discussed here) has some competition. Antelope Technologies is producing a very small computer based on IBM's Mobile Computer Core (MMC). It is powered by a Crusoe processor, 256MB RAM and 10GB HD. IBM has a press release about the partnership with Antelope Technologies. There are also some very cool accessories that let you turn it into a desktop system or a laptop. Looks like another cool device. Hope it is more than vapor."

Comments

Re:Tired of PDA's

[fmaxwell]

Take a look at the web page. This is not a PDA. It's a subnotebook with an 800x600 color display and the ability to run Windows 2000, XP, or Linux. If this was just another PDA, I'd agree with you, but the possibilities for this are quite a bit more broad than that.

MMC?

[Kraegar]

IBM's Mobile Computer Core (MMC).

Wouldn't that be MCC? Or is the acronym for something else?

Must be running the Webserver

[Quizme2000]

4 comments and already toast.

A great Idea.

[billstr78]

I wonder how this will compete with tablet PC's? It seems as though the deciding factors will be the input interfaces, and docking capability.
IMHO, a lightweight small version of your desktop computer that you could take anywhere and dock on your desktop when you are done would a truly usefull device. I would highly simplify the lives of those who must work in more than one chair and desk on a daily basis.

Google Cache

[Anonymous Coward]

Google Cache: Here

What's the market for these things?

[jonman_d]

I honestly don't see who would use these things. They're not PDAs, because they're too large, too heavy, and last time I checked, moving parts in my PDA would absolutly suck (see: break in five seconds). They're essentially a low-grade computer in a small box. I don't see the point: it won't replace the desktop. The only possible use I can see for these things is using them as access points around your house or something, in which case the hardware in these things is overkill.

Am I missing something?

Re:What's the market for these things?

[ScooterB]

I agree. Thue utility of this device is not that great. The battery lifetime is what really killed it for me. 2 hours is really unacceptable. I think it is high time for a revolution in battery( or other portable power source) technology.

Re:What's the market for these things?

[scrytch]

moving parts in my PDA would absolutly suck (see: break in five seconds).

Everyone with an iPod begs to differ. I don't recommend dropping your Palm either, BTW.

Re:What's the market for these things?

[phriedom]

"They're essentially a low-grade computer in a small box. I don't see the point: it won't replace the desktop."

The same thing could be said of most laptops, and yet people use them. Sure, this palmtop isn't going to be a workstation, but it will be able to do nearly all the things that laptops do, and in a much smaller size. Battery life DOES suck, but laptop batteries sucked just as bad when they started out.

Re:What's the market for these things?

[jafac]

no kidding. For me, the Palm III is too large. I think something perhaps the size of a pager or smaller would be about the upper limit size-wise of something I'd want to carry around with me all the time. More ideally, the size of a credit card. Cramming an adequate UI into something that size is an exercise for the next engineer who wants my $500.

Re:What's the market for these things?

[AntelopeMCC]

The MCC battery life depends on the accessory. In our hand-held tablet it is 3.5 to 4 hours. In our wearable configuration it is 20 hours, yes I said 20 hours. (no large display to power, just a small HMD) ...

Re:What's the market for these things?

[Chagrin]

Am I missing something?

Some imagination?

Re:What's the market for these things?

[alizard]

How many of those could you stick in a 1U rackmount box?

Re:What's the market for these things?

[jhoffoss]

/me goes off to redesign the battery on ScooterB's prompting. Why didn't I think of this sooner!!!

Re:What's the market for these things?

[gr]

Hrm.

My Apple Newton 2100 is significantly larger (about the size of a mini-legal pad; that is, the four by six inch ones) and heavier (a couple of pounds anyway), and it's WAY better, easier to use, and more expandable (drivers for IBM microdrives on PCMCIA cards are on the way soon, 802.11B ethernet works right now, various PCMCIA ethernet cards have worked for quite a while) than the Palm IIIx I kicked to the curb for it. (Too bad Apple stopped making them in '97...)

The moving parts thing is perhaps moderately valid... only but laptops seem to deal just fine (barring stupidly fragile plastic bits; that's why you should be using a sparcbook!).

from the google cache

[Anonymous Coward]

The MCC, or "mobile computer core," is a totally new PC architecture centered around a processor, internal battery, data storage and computer software applications. An additional power supply, display, communications and input/output connectors are accessories that you choose based on your individual preferences and work environment.

The core consists the Crusoe processor by Transmeta, 10 GB hard disk and 256 MB Ram all contained within 3"x5"x3/4"--smaller than a typical PDA. Low power consumption makes it ideal for portable applications, and no fan is required. It will automatically identify and adapt its system, power management, thermal, software and user interface behavior, depending on the attached accessory.

Use it to run Windows 2000, WindowsXP, or Linux operating systems. Use it in multiple configurations--desktop, laptop, handheld, tablet, or wearable. Above all, use it to simplify your life, save time and improve your access.

MCC Specifications:
300 - 800 MHz Crusoe Processor by Transmeta
Variable voltage 0.9 to 1.3 V
256 MB SDRAM
10 GB 1.8" ATA-5 Disk
Silicon Motion Lynx 721 3D Graphics w/8MB
Core physical specifications:
257 g (9.1 oz)
18.5x72x126 mm, 0.73x2.8x5.0 inches
10.2 cubic inches
Handheld shell:
Display: 5.8" 800x600 backlit active matrix
Touchscreen
Battery: 10.8V 1400mAh 15.1Wh
Battery life: approximately 2 hours
Weight 390 g (13.7 oz)
I/O: 2 USB, Audio In/Out, DC In
Core & shell combined specifications:
647 g (1.425 lb)
30.5x170x102 mm (1.20x6.69x4.016 in
32.234 cubic inches
I/O signals on docking connector:
PC Card
3x USB
DVI Digital Video
VGA Analog Video
PS2 Mouse/Keyboard
Microphone In
Amp Out Stereo
Line Out Stereo
DC In
2.5V, 3.3V, 5V power to accessories
Control signals
Docking ID & control
Backlight brightness control
SMB Bus for battery monitoring.

Another IBM article

[digital_freedom]

Here's another one that sill has pictures of the MCC: IBM Research article. It looks pretty small and cool.

I've been waiting since the 80s

[panurge]

For one of these. Slot it into the bay of a notebook case with screen and keyboard, slot it into a docking station to run a big monitor and heavy duty keyboard, slot it into a chord keyboard, mini HUD and mouse for use on airplanes or between meetings. And perhaps a PDA type screen to clip on one face. Ideally, have the docking station take two so you can sync them overnight and have a live recovery system. I could lock one in the safe when I go on vacation and take the other with me. And, let's face it, 100/gigabit Ethernet and Firewire mean that the I/O of these things isn't going to be ridiculously limited. Though it will really come into its own when flash memory over 1Gbyte gets cheap.

I'm prepared self-sacrificingly to be a beta tester, IBM please note.

Google Cache

[sarcast]

The google cache of the site.

I'll choose B!

[philovivero]

Haven't we learnt anything? When presented with "mumblemumble or Vapourware(tm)" the answer is ALWAYS Vapourware(tm).

Test run

[Bakobull]

They must be using one of these for the web server.

Re:Tired of PDA's

[geoswan]

... This is not a PDA. It's a subnotebook with an 800x600 color display...

Precisely. 800x600 is more than 6 times as many pixels as the 320 x 240 found on similarly sized PDAs.

You need four changes

[yerricde]

How does XP's hardware signature stuff work with this kind of a machine

At least on a desktop machine, you have to change four internal devices from their state at installation time to trip Windows XP's reactivation.

The devices include the following:

• volume serial number of system partition (based on date and time of formatting)
• network adapter MAC address
• CD-ROM make and model
• CPU serial number
• primary hard disk make and model
• processor make and model
• RAM size

The following are checked only on non-dockable machines:

• SCSI card make and model
• ATA controller make and model
• video card make and model

Source: Study by Fully Licensed GmbH

Our Server

[AntelopeMCC]

We are in the process of upgrading our server. Sorry you are getting errors.

I'd love an MCC or OQO as my main machine...

[RevAaron]

I know I'm probably in the minority, but I'd *love* to have either a MCC-based computer or an OQO to replace my iBook+Jornada 720 combination now. The thought of being able to carry around my entire operating environment, the same one I use on my iBook running just as fast as it does now is very appealing. the current generation of 206 MHz StrongARMs definately aren't bad, but I must admit, having a 1 GHz Transmeta CPU in a PDA-type device with the ability to simple take it wherever I go gets me all wet.

The MCC is also an incredible idea, however with it I'm more concerned about the higher price to get a real use out of it- for my needs. That is, you have different 'shells' for the MCC, and I doubt the PDA shell is as full featured as the OQO shell, and as a result, I'd need to get either the laptop shell or the docking shell, so I could hook up USB and VGA.

I've been half-planning for a while to sell my iBook and Jornada 720 and buy an OQO a few months after they come out. Wish they would!

Aaron

Sigh...use your imagination.

[phriedom]

The screen is almost the size of a 3x5 note card, and has 600 x 800 resolution.
That is big enough for web browsing, or email, or chat, or writing documents, and some people pay over $400 for a portable dvd player with the very same screen, and same battery life.

It has usb ports, put any game controller on it that you want to.
If you don't want to "lug around" a big keyboard, don't worry I'm sure someone will make a usb nifty little fold up keyboard like the ones for Palms.
You don't need a mouse, it has a touch screen.
Of course bigger screens and interface devices are better for prolonged use and I've got 2 words for you: docking station. Many people use a docking station with their laptops already.
Your palm is synced to your desktop for todo list/calendar stuff, but one of these wouldn't need to SYNC, it could BE the main computer.
This isn't a toy like the PocketPC things, it is a full computer. I don't travel, so this isn't for me, but you can bet that many people who do travel would love to have one device that would replace both their PDA and their laptop, even if they have to carry several batteries and a kit to plug it into the cigarette lighter in their car.

A PDA is still better at being a PDA than this thing is, and 2 hours is a serious problem, no doubt about it. But calling this an iPod with a pretty screen is close minded.

Re:Vapor?

[alizard]

Prices in the usual quantities?

Re:I have a question

[Salsaman]

We will also have a Linux version.

More vapourware then.

+5?

[fmaxwell]

I got a +5 underrated/insightful/interesting for saying "read the article"? I don't mean to sound ungrateful, but I didn't really provide anything that 10 seconds of scanning the article would not. Have we all really gotten that lazy?