Just as I am getting ready to wrap up my multi-part overview of the iPod Touch, Archos drops a bombshell with their new seventh generation media players, which they refer to as, “Internet Media Tablets.”  As you can see in the image above, these are aimed straight at the iPod Touch, and I have to say they look like they could give the iPod some serious competition.  The new Archos comes in three models, the Archos 7, Archos 5, and Archos 5g. 

According to SlashGear, the differences between the three are pretty obvious:

The Archos 5 is available in 60GB, 120GB and 250GB capacities, with a 4.8-inch 800 x 480 touchscreen and 0.5-inch thickness, while somewhat curiously the Archos 5g only comes in one 30GB variety.  The bigger Archos 7, meanwhile, has a 7-inch touchscreen (still at 800 x 480), either 160GB or 320GB capacity and is 0.63-inches thick.

All three offer Wifi connectivity.  The 5g also offers HSDPA cellular broadband.

I have reviewed the previous two generations of Archos media players, and have always been extremely impressed by their offerings.  I can’t wait to check these out and watch video or read an ebook on that gorgeous seven inch high resolution screen.

The Archos store currently has a big “Coming Soon…” sign on it, but rumor is that these new players should be available in September, with prices starting at $350.

[via Archos and SlashGear]

I believe I have found nirvana.  Amtek has designed a pocket sized UMPC that looks like the Sidekick.  Their prototype is making an appearance at Computex and it’s hot!

It contains a Qwerty keyboard under the closed screen, an Intel proc with 600MHz/800MHz depending on the version you buy, a 1.3 megapixel camera, a 3600mAh battery and Windows Vista.

This is not a production model and it is not know if it will become one.  But I want one anyway.  I think they hit the sweet spot with a pocket sized UMPC.

Read more at Gizmodo

JK on the Run has a report and a link to a three minute video about the new second version of the Q1.  It seems many people are concerned that with only a software keyboard, it will be difficult to enter text.  JK illustrates that handwriting recognition is a great alternative and that tablet pcs also offer "ink" style writing. 

See the Video

Read more at JK on the Run.

[tags]umpc, video, jamm, just another mobile monday[/tags]

Fujitsu has begun unveiling it’s spectacular UMPC.  It looks like a mini laptop and sports an 800 MHz Intel Sealey Proc, 40GB Hard Drive and 1 GB of RAM.  It also has two cameras and a 5.6" display. 

The battery is rated at up to seven hours.  Input is made easy with a built-in keyboard.  It is due out later this year and will probably have a large price tag. 

Read more at Gear Diary

[tags]laptop, umpc, jamm, just another mobile monday[/tags]

The Ultra Mobile Personal Computer category has been plagued by unrealized potential.  That’s right.  One or more of the variables in the formula that is necessary for the UMPC to be successful in the marketplace is / are off to the point that the whole category has come in to question. 

To be sure, when laptops are shrunk to the "ultra portable" size, they become grossly expensive.  Yet the UMPC has been shrunk and the original Origami standard called for a low price.  Yet, the criticism of the category points to lack of performance, high price, and awkward size.  In other words, it’s too big to be a pocket pc, but too small to be usable as an ultra portable laptop.  And for the high price that most UMPCs had upon introduction, it didn’t make sense to buy them, because the same price would buy you a laptop.

We are now seeing that change.  According to Eric Dahl of PC World, "Samsung’s nicely designed Q1 Ultra starts at $799 and packs a split-style thumb keyboard and a 7-inch 1024 x 600 pixel display."

Read more at JK on the Run.

[tags]umpc, ultra portable, laptop, jamm, just another mobile monday[/tags]