OQO Model 2s motherboard failing?

This is a report coming from Endgadget. Apparently there are some users, reporting failures in the Motherboard. This is a real bad news for current OQO owners because if the rumors of this company problems are real probably there wont be any solution available to them.

…and now we're hearing that main board failures on Model 2s that have shipped are distressingly common. That's at least the word according to the OQOtalk forum, whose members are currently gathering data on the situation -- and the early trends sadly reveal that the 1.6GHz model is extremely prone to failure. Of course, it's not exactly the most scientific poll in the world, but you wouldn't expect such harsh results from users on a fansite unless something was up. Given OQO's current travails, we don't know if this will ever get resolved, but let's hope so.

OQO is having problems

This is an unconfirmed rumor but if it’s real I would say that it’s a sad news. And I say this because I was lucky enough to have one of these devices in my hand (see pictures) and their quality is really good thou the price probably is what is killing them in this economic crisis. According to rumor published today in Engadget, OQO is having some financial problems:

the company's in dire financial straits and is looking to sell, and that the Model 2+ may be the last OQO device made, if it ever gets released. More worrisome, European retailer eXpansys is reportedly canceling orders for the MID and removing all the company's products from the site, due to what it's telling customers is "uncertainties to stock availability."

Two about the OQO 02

Here are two news completely different about the OQO 02. The first one is full of contradictions. The author start saying that OQO has made around 20 millions these days, which mean to me that even with the hard competition coming from the UMPC market with a lower price, OQO has managed to find its market and is making money. Then the author continues:

...the biggest weakness of the Oqo is the price. Why someone would opt for the Model 02 instead of, say, the Eee PC, or now HP's Mini-Note, confounds me. The Oqo is $1,300. The 7-inch Eee PC from Asus starts at $399 with Windows XP, and though the keys are tiny, functions more like laptop and isn't that much bigger than the Oqo. The Mini-Note from HP comes with Vista starting at $599.

Wow... This is like comparing horses with mules. The OQO 02 is a machine, while these two are entry level machines. They are going to have a market and they are going to be more "popular" if you want to call it in that way but OQO will still have its market share within business and professional users.

And that gives me the base for the second news.

Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) is Tennessee’s largest and most prestigious medical facility. A decade ago, its anesthesiologists initiated the development of an easy-to-use, electronic anesthesia documentation solution that has evolved into a comprehensive patient information system specialized for acuity care. Called VPIMS, the solution was developed using Microsoft® software and runs on the Windows Server® 2003 operating system and Microsoft SQL Server® 2005 database software. Using VPIMS, VUMC staff members have been able to improve patient care by having quick access to accurate patient data. The hospital has also improved its bottom line by making staff more efficient, reducing surgery delays, reducing administrative work, and improving billing accuracy. By analyzing data generated by VPIMS, VUMC continues to improve on all metrics (More Information here).

And you may ask, what this has to do with OQO. Check the picture on the left. You got it. They have been using the OQO 02 in this project. The OQO size, performance and integrated keyboard make them perfect for Doctors to carry them around. Something that would be impossible to do if you are using the Eee PC or Mini-Note from HP.

Press Release from OQO about AirMagnet

SUNNYVALE, Calif., Feb 05, 2008 — AirMagnet, the leader in security, performance and compliance solutions for wireless LANs, today announced that its award-winning AirMagnet Laptop Analyzer and AirMagnet Survey are the first WLAN security and management applications to offer platform support for Ultra Mobile Personal Computers (UMPC's). The first device AirMagnet will support is OQO's model 02, an award-winning UMPC that is the world's smallest fully functional PC.

"This new UMPC support enables end-users and resellers — for the first time — to plan and monitor all aspects of the enterprise WLAN with a PC that can fit in their pocket," said Chris Roeckl, vice president of marketing at AirMagnet. "Customers still get our award-winning WLAN applications, but now they have an alternative to traditional laptops and they can select the platform that makes the most sense for their business environment."

AirMagnet's Laptop Analyzer is the industry's most popular mobile field tool for auditing and troubleshooting enterprise Wi-Fi networks. It proactively diagnoses WLAN problems and helps IT staff quickly solve end user issues while automatically detecting security threats and other wireless network vulnerabilities. AirMagnet Survey is the market-leading WLAN planning solution that enables customers to collect live signal, packet and spectrum data during site surveys, and simulate and measure network performance in the most scientific way possible with the most accurate depiction of the real user experience.

UMPCs are small form factor PCs that run standard Windows XP or Vista™ operating systems with display sizes of 7 inches or less. The OQO model 02 delivers computing performance powerful enough to perform critical tasks and meet enterprise productivity requirements anywhere and anytime, all in a device that weighs less than one pound. The model 02 is a full-powered and full-featured PC with an integrated thumb keyboard and built in Wi-Fi, 3G WWAN and Bluetooth capabilities. The form factor is highly ergonomic and ideal for a user who needs to perform computing tasks while mobile — even standing up or walking around — and it can be docked at a desk to a standard full-size display, keyboard, mouse, and other peripherals. The OQO model 02 supports standard Windows applications allowing users to accomplish their tasks in any environment and respond immediately to any issue in the field. For more product information, please visit OQO. AirMagnet Laptop Analyzer and Survey products are supported on OQO model 02 configurations with 1.0GB RAM running the Windows XP™ Professional operating system.

"OQO computers are designed to empower mobile end-users with true enterprise application access. The ability to support AirMagnet's WLAN security and troubleshooting application is a perfect example of the value the OQO model 02 can offer," said Bob Rosin, senior vice president of marketing and alliances at OQO. "Working together with AirMagnet, we are able to provide customers with a truly innovative, accurate, and cost-effective solution."

OQO will not add Touchscreen

I'm trying to disconnect myself during the weekend from the web, at least from posting news. I have enough with keeping updated the video section of todoUMPC (Spanish), something that I do every Sunday. So I missed the news of OQO planning to add a touch screen to their UMPC this year. And I glad that I did miss it because soon after the news was posted in some of the most important websites about this topic OQO released a statement  saying that:

OQO would never disclose future product information in other than broad terms, but I can disclose that statements in the video are not true about when certain features will ship (if ever).

I know that many users were asking for this feature to be added to the OQO 02 but that's not something that will happen... at least soon.

Pro Photographer Uses OQO Model 2 to Edit, File High Res Images Remotely

Here is an interesting article published at Notebook.com:

I was chatting with some pro photographers at CES today and one of them busted out a OQO model 2 and showed me how he edits and uploads his photos with the device. Andrew runs Photoshop 7.0 on the OQO since it requires less resources and he only needs to adjust levels, sharpen and crop. Once the images are presentable, he sends them off to his HQ over the built-in EVDO card.

Very interesting, I do not use Photoshop for these tasks, I found that the image viewer tool included in Vista does all that. I just open the folder were I have all pictures that I just have taken for that specific topic, double click in the first one, that opens the Image viewer tool from Vista, that tool has a button to open the next or previous picture on that folder and there you have also a button to edit. The Edit button gives you the option to crop, change the brightness and contrast and other few things. Basically, all I need for my articles. Once I have done that, it's a matter of connecting my UMPC to my EDGE BT Phone or a WiFi network at home or at work and send them to Flicks. Once it's in Flicks, it's a matter of opening Windows Live Writer and post the news here. Do you know that 90% of all my posts here are posted from my Samsung Q1 UMPC? That has became my main PC since more than a year ago. By the way, the OQO 02 is also sold with Vista Installed in case you want to use my method.

OQO now uses WiMax!

I just got another press release about a new feature that can be found in the OQO 02 series.

OQO Demonstrates World’s First Ultra Mobile PC with Embedded Mobile WiMAX for Sprint Xohm Network

Next-generation wireless networking showcased at CES in Sprint Xohm booth

OQO Inc., mobile computing innovator and creator of the world’s smallest fully-functional Windows Vista® PC, unveiled a technology demonstration of the award-winning model 02 computer with integrated 802.16e Mobile WiMAX high-speed wireless data capability at the Sprint XohmTM booth # 31561 at the 2008 International CES in Las Vegas. This demonstration represents the first trial of Xohm compatible WiMAX capabilities embedded in an ultra mobile PC, and showcases the power of anytime/anywhere access to information, applications, corporate networks and the full PC Internet experience.

Mobile WiMAX is a next-generation wireless networking technology that holds the potential to revolutionize mobile data communication through the availability of an advanced nationwide wireless broadband network designed specifically to mobilize the Internet and deliver new mobile multimedia applications. The promise of this new technology will be fully realized by devices that offer rich computing capability combined with truly mobile form factors.

As the leader in the ultra mobile PC category, OQO has pioneered the miniaturization of the PC into a sleek, elegant, and ergonomic device small enough to fit in your pocket yet powerful enough to run full multimedia and networked business applications with Windows XP or Vista. With this demonstration of the first ultra mobile PC with embedded Sprint Xohm compatible Mobile WiMAX, OQO is taking the logical next step in leading the development of this product category.

“Consumers and mobile workers want to experience the real Internet and all their favorite applications with the same high speed and full functionality whether at their desk or on the go,” said Bob Rosin, senior vice president of marketing and alliances, OQO. “Today’s Mobile WiMAX demonstration on the OQO model 02 shows the path to truly seamless computing.”

Typical performance on Xohm’s WiMAX network is 1.5 Megabits per second on the uplink and 2-4 Megabits per second on the downlink. This is 3-5 times faster than any available mobile wireless service. Within the next 12-24 months, Mobile WiMAX deployment will be available in metropolitan areas nationwide and become the true next-generation mobile broadband network.

"OQO’s demonstration of a UMPC with embedded Xohm WiMAX capability is further evidence of the additional development of this powerful ecosystem," said Bin Shen, vice president of product management and partnership development at Sprint’s Xohm business unit. “We expect devices like OQO’s model 02 to benefit greatly from the Xohm WiMAX network.”

OQO today is announcing a technology demonstration of Xohm compatible Mobile WiMAX wireless capability in the model 02 computer, and is not presently making available a product for sale with such functionality. Availability of the OQO model 02 computer with embedded Mobile WiMAX capability in specific geographies may be announced at a future date. With this announcement, OQO does not make any representations about product availability. The OQO model 02 is currently available with 3G wireless networking capability including EV-DO Rev. A in the U.S. and HSDPA internationally.

For more information about the OQO model 02 ultra mobile PC, please visit www.oqo.com. To receive updates regarding OQO announcements, sign up for our mailing list at www.oqo.com/mailing_list/join.html.

About OQO

Based in San Francisco, OQO Inc. has redefined mobile computing with its groundbreaking products, including the new ultra-small, powerful, ergonomic, and connected model 02. The OQO model 02 is a full-featured computer running standard Windows XP or Vista in a pocketable, dockable form factor that gives the mobile individual or workforce true Anytime/Anywhere Productivity™.

Anytime/Anywhere Productivity is a trademark of OQO, Inc.

© 2008 OQO, Inc. All rights reserved.

OQO's Sunlight Optimized Display

I just received this press release from OQO about  new features added to the OQO 02 series.

OQO Introduces New High-End model 02 Options with 64GB SSD and Sunlight Optimized Display

OQO Inc., creator of the world’s smallest fully-functional Windows Vista® PC, continues to expand its industry-leading UMPC line with the addition of a 64GB solid state drive (SSD) option plus the introduction of a new display technology offering dramatic improvement in direct sunlight readability with greater than 50 percent reduction in unwanted reflections.

This expansion of OQO’s offerings addresses two important growth segments of the UMPC market. On the one hand, field service professionals require outdoor-usable UMPCs in tough environments. At the same time, savvy prosumer are seeking best-of-class full PC functionality in a truly pocketable form-factor. With the addition of these new options, OQO customers in consumer and professional markets can now choose from the most complete line of UMPCs, ranging from base configurations starting at $1,299 to high-end configurations sporting 64GB SSD, 1.6 GHz processor, Sunlight Optimized display, Microsoft Windows Vista, and embedded mobile broadband capability through EV-DO Rev. A in the U.S. with service from Sprint or Verizon Wireless, or through HSDPA with service from international carriers.

“The OQO model 02 series continues to mature and expand to meet the needs of our customers, and the improvements announced today further push the performance envelope in the UMPC category,” said Bob Rosin, senior vice president of marketing and alliances, OQO. “Solid state drives offer substantial improvements in performance and reliability for mobile computers, while OQO’s new Sunlight Optimized display is a breakthrough in anytime/anywhere usability.”

The OQO model 02 with 64GB SSD utilizes a high performance NAND Flash based solid state drive, offering benefits including significantly faster read speeds resulting in quicker application launch and boot times, as well as improvements in battery life and shock survivability compared to hard drive based models. The OQO model 02 Sunlight Optimized display utilizes proprietary anti-reflective films in order to reduce specular reflections between the internal layers of the display itself, resulting in reduced reflections in direct sunlight and improved contrast when used in outdoor viewing scenarios.

About OQO

Based in San Francisco, California, OQO, Inc. has redefined mobile computing with its groundbreaking products, including the new ultra-small, powerful, ergonomic, and connected model 02. The OQO model 02 is a full-featured computer running standard Windows XP or Vista with embedded 3G wireless broadband capability and award-winning design, in a pocketable, dockable form factor that gives the mobile individual or workforce true Anytime/Anywhere Productivity™.

Anytime/Anywhere Productivity is a trademark of OQO, Inc.

© 2008 OQO, Inc. All rights reserved.

CES 2008: OQO Model 02 UMPC with Integrated WiMAX

WiMax is the future. And OQO has demonstrated to be a company thinking ahead so it does not surprise me at all to see OQO showing a upgraded model 02 with integrated WiMax at CES according to this report published at MobileMag.

The OQO model 02 UMPC is not a new unit in the strictest sense, but the company is demonstrated an industry first at CES 2008 by integrating the unit with full-on WiMAX connectivity.

Playing games in the OQO 02

My experience with the OQO 02 could be categorized like positive. I have to say that I'm really impressed with how far VIA has gone from the first CPU installed in the already old v7110 from Tabletkiosk. The performance of those processors was really bad and left me  with a real bad opinion of them only comparable with my bad opinion about the Intel A110 processor.

The OQO 02 is a real enjoyable devise with a very elaborated finish. And its performance is more than enough for... playing some good old games.

OQO on rails

East Coast railway company CSX Transportation is using OQO 02 to inspect railway tracks according to an article published at Information Week.

"We wanted to go with something small and Windows-based," said Larry Biess, director of advanced engineering for CSX. "The biggest thing for us was, with the OQO we didn't have to develop new software for the handheld device -- we could just port over our existing applications from the desktop environment. It took a lot of pressure off of us."

Pocket PCs played a big role in mobile technologies a few years ago but today UMPCs are replacing them in most of the tasks. And the main reason is the above mentioned, there is not need to port any application to use them.

OQO 02 for just $1069.99!

This deal is so good that when I read the note from my friend Warner at Gottabemobile I could not believe it! TigerDirect is offering a $780 rebate in the $1849 OQO 02! I really do not know how long this deal is going to last because I'm sure that many people out there would like to own this device and the only thing that have stopped them was the price!

OQO 02 within the 10 most...

According to TechRepublic.com the OQO 02 (e2 in Europe) is not just within the 10 most important business technology products of this year, it's the second product!Just to give you a reference point the first place was for the... iPhone from Apple!

While most of the UMPCs from big vendors have received only a tepid response from businesses, the OQO, which is currently the sole product for San Francisco-based OQO, Inc., is being gobbled up by lots of different organizations in various industries. Movie producers are using them to watch dailies (with the help of specially modded Slingboxes). News photographers are using them to instantly submit their on-site photos, the U.S. Army uses them at security checkpoints in the Middle East. Others are using them as mini PCs for workers who don’t sit at a desk. For these workers, the OQO is helping to create a new category of PCs — one with a very high geek factor.

OQO 02 video review

I shot a video review about the OQO 02 for todoUMPC that I think many of you will enjoy. The video is in Spanish with subtitles in English and covers everything from the the device to some of the accessories sold for this device.

Video: OQO e2 (02 USA) Review

[Discuss this topic]

How big is the OQO 02?

After I posted this picture:

I have received a few emails talking about it and asking me to compare it with other Pocket PCs. And I think that all this is due to one simple point. The Pocket PCs without SmartPhone capability are already extinguished. If you have the option of carrying a full PC hanging from your belt - that's the way I carry my Axim x51v - why to carry a Pocket PC where you can do only a portion of what can be done in a PC? Here is a comparison between a hx4700, an Axim x51v and the OQO 02.

The OQO 02 still "bulky" but this is only the beginning if you have not noticed that yet. We are going to see in the future devices more powerful and smaller.

[Discuss This Topic]

OQO 02 Photo Review

One picture is better than one thousand words. Well, then what about if I give you 66 pictures to describe the OQO 02.

[Discuss this Topic]