Handtops, UMPC - HTC Shift...WOW...

03/26/07 + urk

From Gizmodo -- link

It surprises even ourselves when we say that HTC's Shift should be the UMPC device that makes us—who were mild on UMPCs before—a fan of the platform. Instead of using a split keyboard or a *shudder* on-screen circle pad, the Shift makes like the Advantage with its sliding and flipping screen. With the input problem solved, you can really enjoy the 7-inch touchscreen, 30GB hard drive, Tri-Band UMTS/HSDPA, Quad-Band GSM/GPRS/EDGE, Bluetooth 2.0, Wi-Fi, and Windows Vista.

More so than the Advantage, the OQO2, or the Flipstart, the Shift can serve as a substitute for a laptop when you're out of the house, away on business trips—or hell, even at home.

When we played with it last week, we found the keys very comfortable, the weight fairly light (but heavy enough to be solid), and the touchscreen responsive. Current plans has it headed for a Q3 2007 release, which honestly isn't soon enough for us. We're ready to leave our laptops at home now. – Jason Chen

Picture: link

edited: Mar 28 2007 + ecsk2

scoobie said: "If its a 7 inch diagonal screen (thats the only measurement we have), it can't be any bigger than a DVD Case. But I guess a DVD case is the width of some people's heads"

Another thing to take into consideration is that the just released Windows Mobile "Phone" HTC Advantage is also LARGE, and its obviously not going to be the same size, the HTC Advanatge has a 5" screen:

Check this out though how the VUEFLO scrolling works on it the HTC Advantage, that is a very interesting!

Also a fairly large device for the category it belongs to.

03/28/07 + scoobie

I've asked someone who has used one here's his reply

link

"The Shift uses what HTC called a resolution enhancer to bump it to 1024. Its a VGA display that is native 800x480.

The size is smaller than some may think. I didn't whip out a ruler, but I can give an estimation (don't quote me on it) of appx. .... NM, I don't want to make an approximation. I will get the actual dimensions. I will say that it's VERY lightweight and not as big as some are assuming."

03/28/07 + LKay

Well, THAT's helpful! LOL.

03/28/07 + scoobie

Ok point taken.
JKK says it is about 200 x 130 x 25mm which makes it about 2 DVD cases as was said by HTC

03/29/07 + LKay

So about 8" by 5-something by 1 1/4.... Not bad, but maybe bigger than it needs to be. I still say the whole thing could measure only 7X5 and have enough keyboard to make those who want them happy. I also think they might want to rethink the slide-out design and maybe go with a clamshell with a flippable keyboard that can become a tablet. Best of all worlds, IMO, since the screen would be protected.

03/29/07 + ecsk2

LKay said: "So about 8" by 5-something by 1 1/4.... Not bad, but maybe bigger than it needs to be. I still say the whole thing could measure only 7X5 and have enough keyboard to make those who want them happy. I also think they might want to rethink the slide-out design and maybe go with a clamshell with a flippable keyboard that can become a tablet. Best of all worlds, IMO, since the screen would be protected."

I think that is the agenda though, best of both worlds, i.e. PDA world and Handheld or UMPC if you want.

03/29/07 + urk

Ideally...what would your desired dimensions be?

edited: Mar 29 2007 + LKay

The PERFECT UMPC would be a clamshell, perhaps with a LID module like FS, but that could be protected with a sliding cover. It would have all PDA functions - would remind you about appointments, keep your task list, etc. It would be a functional cell phone, workable with all major wireless companies, as well as EVDO and EDGE. It would be 7X4 or 5, allowing for a screen that doesn't strain the eyeballs too much and a keyboard that can be typed on. One possible way to have it be even smaller and still get around the keyboard issue would be to have a small thumb board at the base of the screen for those who want to thumb board in tablet mode, and then they could open clamshell style, and have a regular keyboard with panels that slide out horizontally to make it a fully typeable size for those who want that. Also, I don't know if you guys have seen the Flybook VM , but it would have a screen that you could slide "up" like that, to reduce eye and neck strain when you're typing normally. Of course specs would be comparable to a mid-range notebook, and pricing would be about the same.

How's that for a dream?

03/29/07 + LKay

Oh yeah - also, many options would be add-on's, so that someone who really just wanted a stripped-down, cheaper version could skip some things, like a built-in camera, LID module, and you could choose between EVDO and EDGE, depending on your wireless carrier.

03/29/07 + muntaser7

I don't want a camera, phone or a coffee maker on my UMPC.
I think if OQO 02 kept the old size and used an intel CPU it would have been perfect, but nooooooo, they had to include these stupid sliders on the side.

03/29/07 + 2disbetter

Yeah I really don't like the slider's either. Not so happy abotu the processor either, but still the 02 is overall king at the moment. IN MY OPINION before I get flamed.

03/29/07 + muntaser7

2disbetter. I agree 100% with you.

if it playes WOW then it will be IMO the perfect UMPC... hehe.. I know I know, am childish.

03/29/07 + ecsk2

urk said: "Ideally...what would your desired dimensions be?"

I've said it before and will say and post it again, and since the guy who photoshopped it is "Adam" I started calling this "Adam's Apple":

link

That would be about the size as the original iPod, rumor has it Apple is working on something in the size range of this HTC Shift in fact!

03/29/07 + jimscraft

It seems the size issue may be solved by looking at the Ya Hsin US702W. It also has a 7" screen, but the size is stated as 7 1/2" by 5" x 1". The two are very similar, based on the screen size and probable overall size, as well as cpu 1.2 ghz Via vs 1.1ghz Celeron and 30 GB vs 40 GB hard drives, respectively. Both also have 1 GB Ram. Hope this helps.

Recent Blog: FlipStart News Flash!!!

03/31/07 + scoobie

New video (note the 2nd half of this video has the Shift)

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