OQO demonstrated the first UMPC with embedded Sprint XOHM WiMAX at CES today. The newest model, which weighs 1 lb., sells for $1,299, a drop of $400 from the price versions shipped a year ago, a spokesman said. OQO also offers a high-end version that will include 64GB of storage and a display optimized to be used in sunlight.
At the Consumer Electronics Show at Las Vegas this week, Intel will display ultramobile PCs based on Menlow architecture from vendors including Asus, BenQ and Lenovo.
MIDs differ from UMPCs in that they are smaller, generally don’t have full keyboards and use Linux with Intel’s new mobile processor. Intel’s WiMAX products will include both laptops and smaller handheld devices such as UltraMobile PCs and Mobile Internet Devices.
Intel’s Mobile Internet Devices (MIDs) will be moving to the faster, more power efficient Menlow platform, but won’t be available until mid-year. Intel is developing a WiMax silicon chip codenamed “Baxter Peak” for MIDs. It will be an option similar to how Echo Peak is an option for Centrino notebooks. Nokia will use Baxter Peak on its WiMax-enabled N-series internet tablets, expected to ship in 2008.
Menlow-based devices will ship in the first half of 2008 and include the low-power Silverthorne processor and Poulsbo chipset. Intel didn’t release further details on that platform today.
Montevina, Intel’s new laptop architecture, will also not be available until mid-year. Intel plans to add WiMax to Montevina laptops using Echo Peak, a minicard that integrates WiMax and Wi-Fi technology on one chip.
Other WiMax-related announcements at CES:
- Networks In Motion, which develops wireless navigation and location-based services technology, said today that it is showing a new WiMax connected navigation system at CES. NIM said that the new hardware is a “proof of concept” which shows how WiMax can be used for keeping in-car navigation systems up to date.
- Asus is expected to introduce a new version of its tiny Eee PC packing Intel WiMAX silicon. New versions of the Eee PC are also expected to have larger screens with higher resolution with pricing closer to $499.
- LG’s HSDPA ultraportable runs Vista on Silverthorne. It features a 1,024 x 600 touchscreen.
- ZyXEL announced their MAX200 WiMAX gateway with a built-in Wi-Fi and VoIP adapter. An outdoor gateway version, called the MAX300, is also available.
- The iRiver Wing is a small UMPC with a touchscreen and 4GB of flash storage.
- Intel showed off new Silverthorne processors in a whole new line of smaller, faster and more power efficient UMPCs.
UMPC Portal has the latest.
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