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Ultramobile PC To Make a Comeback?

Posted by Soulskill on from the cellphones-that-can't-make-calls dept.

jfruhlinger writes "Remember the Oqo and other 'ultra-mobile PCs' — full-fledged Windows machines in a cell phone form factor, pushed without success in the early-to-mid '00s? Well, Japan's NTT DoCoMo thinks that they could still catch on, making plans for a Windows 7 computer with a 4-inch, 1024-by-600 screen."

5 of 140 comments (clear)

  1. I already have one... by milbournosphere · · Score: 5, Insightful

    and it's the android phone in my pocket. It does everything that I'd ever want to do on a device with a 4" screen. For everything else, I have a laptop that has a full size keyboard.

    1. Re:I already have one... by SlashdotOgre · · Score: 3, Insightful

      More importantly, Android applications are all designed with a touch based user interface in mind. One of the major issues with previous generations of tablets was that they relied on traditional applications which could work with a touch interface, but they were never designed for it. This made using the device for non-basic functions a headache. I remember the Oqo quite well, and as a geek I wanted one (or a Sharp Zarus...). However as an engineer and end user, I knew it was never practical and would be primarily an expensive toy.

      --
      Sadly, PS/2 was yet another victim of USB, which doesn't care what you plug into it, the electrical slut.
  2. Pics by Ceriel+Nosforit · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Hey guise, I found a picture! It runs Debian Linux!

    http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0c/Nokia_N900-1.jpg/788px-Nokia_N900-1.jpg

    --
    All rites reversed 2010
  3. But does it turn into a robot? by NitzJaaron · · Score: 4, Funny

    I mean, it's from Japan, right? It's gotta turn into a robot, or some kind of odd anime device that does indescribably naughty thing to girls in sailor uniforms.

  4. The Fujitsu U series has advantages. by Lashat · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I own one and when I corporate traveled it was my constant companion.

    The most significant advantage is that the physically small and compact machine that runs your full desktop.
    Plug it into the docking station and...abracadabra... you have full size monitor, keyboard, and mouse.
    Travel without the docking station? You can still use the tiny dongle to attach to ethernet and VGA while using the USB keyboard mouse.
    Battery life SMOKES most smartphones I have owned since 2007.

    I can't say it applies to all Ultras, but I still use my Fujistu for the occasional travel.

    --
    For every benefit you receive a tax is levied. - Ralph Waldo Emerson