It sounds like something out of an 80s science fiction movie about the space age (It even had a code name: Project Origami). Yet what I'm about to discuss is something that is an almost frightening reality.
The Ultra Mobile PC is something that has been in the making for a while now. With the unstoppable forward advancements in computer technology, companies are seeking to produce a small, convenient and portable computer. There are currently many different technologies that can fulfill the basic functions desired in a handheld device- smartphones (such as the iPhone), a PDA (personal digital assistant), a portable media player/portable gaming device, and the ultra mobile PC, although the differences between these things are fading as they all move towards a similar goal.
The UMPC itself is the product of the joint collaborative efforts of Microsoft, Intel and Samsung. The name applies to the basic platform of the technology- the code and design can be taken, reproduced and tweaked to produce a different model, as long as the manufacturers comply with the basic expectations of Intel and Microsoft(WIKI) [source].
Basically it's a computing device that looks quite similar to the T-Mobile Sidekick or a Palmtop device. The UMPC runs on the Windows XP/Vista OS (it can support any Windows XP software) with the Origami suite of software pre-installed [source]. Different models produced by different manufacturers feature different hardware specifications (RAM, HD space, screen size/resolution, processor speed, etc.). A touchscreen (complete with new dialkey system) which can be used with a stylus- as a writing tablet, third-party plug-in keyboards, speech recognition software, and optional Bluetooth and USB ports are available as well [source].
(LIST DIFFERENT MODELS)
In short, the UMPC is basically a fully functional computer but the size of your hands. It has the power to complete all the tasks meant for a regular-size desktop computer (with exceptions being granted for its size), yet it is absolutely miniature and completely portable.
What can such advances in modern computing mean for the modern organization?
The most remarkable quality of these devices is the sheer convenience factor. In such a mobile and technology-laden age, people are becoming more and more connected and staying connected for longer periods in different environments. The Ultra Mobile PC is just that- Ultra Mobile. One can use it practically anywhere in the world- with the obvious exception of underwater. An organization that is equipped with these UMPCs now has full access to their members; not just telecommunication access, but also web access and access to a full suite of familiar software on the Windows XP/Vista OS (ex. multimedia programs, gaming and GPS programs). The members can accomplish any task that would normally require a desktop computer or something more powerful than a cell phone’s simple email/internet browser- the UMPC fulfills these needs perfectly and compactly. Its size allows it to be easily carried along with a user anywhere they need- laptop computers are still quite large and bulky.
The downsides of such a device at the moment are mostly related to its age. Because of how ‘young’ and new this technology is, UMPCs are expensive compared to simple smartphones or the Palm family of handheld devices. And, as with any new technology, it is constantly under construction- bugs are being fixed and physical drawbacks are being improved upon and replaced constantly. This means that the technology itself is in a state of flux and there are still some major bugs and weaknesses to be overcome.
Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia (Sept 29, 2007) Ultra Mobile PC. Retrieved Oct 1, 2007 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultra-Mobile_PC]
Microsoft Corporation (2007) Windows Vista Ultra Mobile PC. Retrieved Oct 1, 2007 [http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/umpc/default.mspx]
Microsoft Developer Network: MSDN (2007) Announcing the Ultra-Mobile PC. Retrieved Oct 1, 2007 [http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/windowsvista/aa904971.aspx]
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