Microsoft said to issue specs for "ultramobile lifestyle PCs"

Word is trickling out that Microsoft has treated attendees at its Mobile Platform Division partner briefing to its vision of the next generation of "ultraportable lifestyle PCs." According to at least one report, Bill Mitchell, Corporate Vice President of the Mobile Platform Division, showed a slide that outlined specs for the new PC category, including that it be wearable, always on, no larger than 10-inches, connected through 3G networks, pen-based, and have a suggested retail price of $500 or less. Sounds like something of a cross between Windows Mobile smartphones and tablet PCs (sort of like the Ruby concept PC, pictured) -- or a rehash of the long-forgotten Windows CE-based "Jupiter" laptop platform, which didn't exactly take the world by storm. One notable spec that could differentiate this one: Microsoft is apparently insisting that this run the full version of Windows. If the company really succeeds in that endeavor, this could be a hit; if not, we'll get one to keep in the basement, next to our Clio.

[Sergio @ Feb 2nd 2006 8:14PM]

wow that looks awesome, if only it was small enough to fit in the pocket...

[Mike @ Feb 2nd 2006 8:17PM]

Sort of like the OQO pc? Cool idea and some competition wouldn't hurt either - especially to help bring the costs down to a reasonable level (OQO being around $2000 currently).

[Mike @ Feb 2nd 2006 8:18PM]

Sort of like the OQO pc? Cool idea and some competition wouldn't hurt either - especially to help bring the costs down to a reasonable level (OQO being around $2000 currently).

[Justin @ Feb 2nd 2006 8:20PM]

10" sure isn't wearable, at least for the average human - maybe an engineer or something. Smells like MS trying to push another niche market onto the average consumer, much like the tablet PC. Though with tablet PCs, I at least had ONE experience where I found the touch screen useful: navigating Google Maps quickly over an EV-DO connection when I was trying to make my way into New Orleans with relief supplies. Not exactly a daily task though.

AFAIC, Nokia's well on their way to a "lifestyle PC" with their 770. That bad boy rocks.

[Snoogans @ Feb 2nd 2006 8:31PM]

This sounds like the prototype that Bill Gates showed off at his keynote speech at CES 2005. If they can do what they say, I bet this will be awesome.

[Lethardicus @ Feb 2nd 2006 8:38PM]

zomg thats sexy, i want one

[Whiplash @ Feb 2nd 2006 8:46PM]

The problem with these devices is that Windows sucks on them. You really need a new OS written with a UI that properly uses the controls you have at hand.

Using a pen on a computer just sucks. Pens are for writing. Who wants to write on a computer? That's what paper is for!

They need to rework the hardware so it can be held like a game controller and completely re-invent the UI for that kind of control surface.

[[e-mail] @ Feb 2nd 2006 8:51PM]

ugh... that keyboard is making my fingers hurt just looking at it!

[[e-mail] @ Feb 2nd 2006 8:57PM]

ugh... that keyboard is making my fingers hurt just looking at it!

[kelly @ Feb 2nd 2006 9:06PM]

mm, really not that interested in this. have a treo 600 and a laptop, this is really a third tweener device. treo 800 and nice laptop really fits all of my needs, may be a niche market here but I can't believe it will be all that popular.

i can actually get an amazing amount of work done on the treo form factor... larger size, same thing with maybe better apps, not getting it.

[Galley @ Feb 2nd 2006 9:24PM]

Throw PalmOS 5 on it, and I'll take it.

[David Jackson @ Feb 2nd 2006 9:32PM]

A super portable device with a full version of windows would be teh coolest. I personally have spent a great deal of time becoming familiar with windows and have installed a raft of software that matches my way of life. Moving to a new portable OS would be a big chore for me and there would be virtually no software for it to start with. Though not likely to replace the water cooled gaming rig I have keeping my house warm, a super portable would be great for the wifey who just want's to play free cell and chat on IRC.

[XGM @ Feb 2nd 2006 9:46PM]

Sounds cool, if id run Photoshop easily with a good touch-screen, at a decent resolution with WiFi or WiMax id love to have one. Hopefully it runs full XP or Vista because my old Sony TJ-27 has taken quite a beating and will need replacing sometime...

[qwe123a @ Feb 2nd 2006 10:27PM]

palmax pd1100

please update and resurrect it

[Joshua Herzig-Marx @ Feb 2nd 2006 10:30PM]

Dude - I loved my Clio! Now, if only it'd had enough processing power to handle encrypted WiFi...

[rightclick @ Feb 2nd 2006 11:16PM]

This one will take the medical world by storm. Tablet PCs are still too bulky.....

[K Master @ Feb 3rd 2006 12:02AM]

That is actually the new Speak n' Spell. This year's model features the voice of Stephen Hawking.

[ucif @ Feb 3rd 2006 12:48AM]

I am a spammer: [e-mail]

[ucif @ Feb 3rd 2006 12:51AM]

I am a spammer: [e-mail]

[skid @ Feb 3rd 2006 4:37AM]

wonder if that is why dell was unloading their axims for $324? i knew i should have waited!!!

[Peter @ Feb 3rd 2006 7:09AM]

Always on?

Battery life anyone...?

As far as i have heard, thats one of the main problems with the OQO too.

-----
Peter

[paul @ Feb 3rd 2006 11:17AM]

That's NOT the device we saw...

[Rob Bushway (Tablet PC MVP) @ Feb 4th 2006 5:16PM]

Notice what Marc said:
(sort of like the Ruby concept PC, pictured)

there is no published picture of what these Ultra Mobile / Lifestyle PCs look like.

[zakeen @ Feb 26th 2006 10:00AM]

The Sony U8 is a great device. It would be hard to beat that.

[jeremy @ Feb 27th 2006 8:09PM]

"Using a pen on a computer just sucks. Pens are for writing. Who wants to write on a computer? That's what paper is for!"

Umm, computers are suppose to replace paper, ever heard of e-ink?

[Bob Branham @ Mar 9th 2006 12:10PM]

They're getting closer to what I need. I want it in the shape of the old Jornada except that the screen should flip over for tablet like use. The Jornada had a wide screen aspect which makes viewing web pages and documents much easier, and a near full sized qwerty keyboard yet folded up, it still fits nicely inside a breast pocket. And why can't they add cell phone connectivity for blue tooth headset communications. This would make it a true all-in-one.

[Product Reviews @ Sep 9th 2006 8:05PM]

If they use the full version of Windows, then I think Microsoft may hit a home run. I want a miniturised version of my desktop PC (like the Sony VAIO UX Micro PC), which I can carry around. Not a whole new mobile paradigm. It's confusing.