What Hugo is taking to China?

Hugo has posted a video showing what is in his gadget bag... the one he is taking to China!

5 inches LED Displays from Samsung

According to news published at AVING USA site, Samsung presented in Seul "5-inch LED backlight unit for PMP-use during ICDL 2007(Int'l Conference and Exhibition on Display LEDs)."

is a 5 inches UMPC on the way? Who knows...

ArtRage for UMPC released

This is really a good news! ArtRage is a wonderful program and have it optimized for UMPC is really good.

January 30, 2007 - ArtRage 2 for UltraMobile PCs (UMPC) Released!

ArtRage 2 is now available in a version specifically designed for UltraMobile PCs. This new version of Ambient Design’s stylish and natural painting application has been enhanced to make it easier to use with small form-factor portable PC devices. For the ultimate painting and sketching experience ‘on the go’ ArtRage 2 for UltraMobile PCs gives you style and ease of use.

UltraMobile PCs present two unique challenges to graphical software. Firstly the screen resolution is typically lower than a desktop or notebook computer. UMPC displays are typically around 800 x 480 pixels in size. This means there is less space to contain both the user interface as well as the working area of a project.

And secondly UltraMobile devices are commonly used with fingers as input devices meaning the user-interface elements have to be larger and easier to press. Typically UltraMobile devices are used while they’re carried in the hand rather than being placed on a level surface, so it can be more difficult to press user-interface elements even when using a stylus on the UMPC screen.

ArtRage 2 for UltraMobile PCs overcomes these challenges:

• Increased the size of small UI elements: The smallest UI elements from ArtRage 2 have either been increased in size or made their ‘clickable area’ larger in the UMPC version. This makes them easier to press with fingers or a stylus.
• Controls and panels get out of the way: Panels in ArtRage 2 get out of the way while painting. In the UMPC version they more actively minimize when not being used, and leave a more easily clicked control to bring them back.
• Panels and controls hide when ‘Enter’ is pressed: UltraMobile PCs have an ‘Enter’ button mapped to a physical button on the front of the case. When this button is pressed while using ArtRage 2 all the User Interface controls and panels hide completely. So it’s very easy to work with all the panels and controls visible with one button press, but hidden completely while you’re working. This leaves the entire display surface available for painting and sketching.
• All the features of ArtRage 2 Full version!: ArtRage 2 for UltraMobile PCs has all the tools, features and style of ArtRage 2. There has been no compromise on features!

ArtRage 2 for UltraMobile PCs is also still only US$19.95 to purchase! For more information about ArtRage 2 for UltraMobile PCs including full features, screen shots, and comparisons with other versions of ArtRage: http://www.artrage.com/artrageumpc.html.

ArtRage 2 for UltraMobile PCs is currently only available in the English language versions, for Windows XP operating systems. ArtRage 2 for UltraMobile PCs is recommended for use on small form-factor portable devices with a display resolution around 800 x 480 pixels.

JK's Vista Upgrade Fiasco

Vista upgrades fail miserably most of the time. I'm very disappointed. I could not upgrade my Q1; but I have not perform a clean install yet. I still waiting for Samsung's Vista Drivers and BIO.

Tablet PCs still being the future according to Bill Gates

In an interview with MSNBC when Bill Gates was asked about the future of Windows, this is what he said:

In Vista things got a lot better with [digital] ink and speech but by the next release there will be a much bigger bet. Students won't need textbooks, they can just use these tablet devices. Parallel computing is pretty important for the next release.

Parallel computing... UMPC... sounds to me the same! Do not you think?

The new Origami Team

The new Origami Team as posted a Quick Introduction! I have to say that's nice to see that Microsoft is not abandoning completely the UMPC boat! Oscar, one of the members of this new team is asking the community for what we want to see next. I don't know you guys, but what I really want to see is more tutorials about how to get the most we can from our UMPC running Vista, more efficient drivers, Windows Movie Maker running in Vista (it was running in XP so I don't see why it can't run now in Vista), etc.

Oh and I forgot to mention more efficient drivers for our UMPC including HID Drivers. I know that that's OEM responsibility but I have seen many 3rd parties drivers in my life and if somebody can make them that's Microsoft.

Q1 Drivers

Rodfather, user of Origami Project forum posted today about a page that I did not know about it: The Q1 Supported Drivers page at Samsungpc.com

Toshiba R400

In his peculiar way Hugo Ortega has published a video review about the Toshiba R400. Do not miss it!

Woot did it again!

Samsung Q1 for sale at Woot for only $749

The Origami Team is gone!

Good Luck Origami Team in your new project. In reality, you are the first Victim of Vista. You did a good job with Origami Experience but having Media Center in Vista Ultimate more or less you can do almost the same than what OE brings to users. The rest of features included in OE are not "must have". They were there in the old version of the Touch Pack and many of us never used. Sorry but this is the reality. Cruel.

Microsoft does not need your team to evangelize the world about what is a UMPC and what are the advantage of it. That's the second point. Bloggers are doing that already and... for free! This is the reality... Cruel.

The good point is that you still at Microsoft and you have now a new project, probably as good or interesting as the Origami Project was at the beginning. So I which you all the best from the bottom of my heart. Without your team opening the eyes of the world we would have been in the same place where Sony was with it's U series 2 years ago. Your team has opened a space in the market right between Pocket PCs and sub notebooks that was not there and everybody want it there. Bravo Origami Team!