Handtops, UMPC - Dualcor Very Disappointing

06/08/06 + wraith808

Just received an e-mail to answer the questions about the DualCor, and all I can say is this is very disappointing. A lot of people criticise the UX-180 for including Cingular, but I praise them for making a choice. Dualcor is trying to appeal to everyone, and to me, at least, it's unappealing to have to get a CF card or USB device for connectivity.

link

06/09/06 + MeanSquare

I could agree with their "choices" explanation when it comes to cellular wireless, but it really hobbles the machine in my mind not to build in Bluetooth and WiFi. Built-in WiFi and Bluetooth expands the choices (by freeing up USB/CF ports) and I can't see too many WiFi and Bluetooth add-on vendors taking the time to write their drivers to handle the dual OS issues that the DualCor presents. Finally, dongles and wireless CF cards stick out from the machine. A fully connectable cPC would look like a porcupine.

Recent Blog: MeanSquare's Review of the Sony UX (with comparison to OQO)

06/09/06 + wraith808

Even most Windows Mobile devices include wireless and bluetooth these days. For something that I was really psyched about, I am now extremely disappointed. The dual OS was a great idea. But I think they had to rush it to market with the UMPC craze, and that's why they ripped everything out.

06/09/06 + MeanSquare

I suspect they got stuck on trying to figure out how two OSes could each access to the Bluetooth and WiFi radios (not really simultaneously, but at least handle the switch between OSes). This way, they don't have to figure it out. (They stick the customer with that work.) I wonder how many CF card manufacturers are rushing to add another micro-print footnote to their ads explaining that you can use the card with _either_ XP or WM, but not both on the same machine (or simply leaving the DualCor off their "works with" list).

Recent Blog: MeanSquare's Review of the Sony UX (with comparison to OQO)

edited: Jun 10 2006 + mensrea

"The dual OS was a great idea. But I think they had to rush it to market with the UMPC craze, and that's why they ripped everything out."

No I disagree. I said a long time ago that the problem is they got blindsided by the UMPC. The dual core was only ever going to be a niche device until portable computers became powerful enough to run full Windows applications with reasonable battery life (instant on is also a factor). They are being squeezed by smaller, more powerful Windows mobile 5 handsets on one side, and small devices that use full Windows on the other.

It's really just a timing issue. The CPC just became irrelevant before it even hit the market. It was a good idea, it's just a little late. As I and others have pointed out, today with the purchase of an OQO and a Windows mobile smart phone you can get the same functionality in less volume (cubic cm not dBs). In fact, you'll get more functionality-- because ... I defy you to buy a smart phone without Bluetooth and a camera and we all know that the OQO has built-in Bluetooth and WiFi. And now you can just go with the Sony UX series and get it all in one package (it has the camera and all radio's built-in).

I can't imagine anybody choosing the CPC when there are so many better options.

edited: Jun 09 2006 + tnkgrl

I think the Sony UX was the final blow to the DualCor fiasco (especially after the lack-of-radios and the UMPC)... After looking at the UX video from James Kendrick, the only thing holding me back from selling my OQO Model 01+ and ordering a UX-90 is that I'm waiting for OQO's next move!

Recent Blog: Bluetooth hack for the Asus 701 (Eee)

06/09/06 + MeanSquare

mensrea said: "(instant on is also a factor)"

The only exception I had with anything you said is with the above comment. I never thought I'd say this when my Pocket PC was my constant companion, but, honestly, 2.5 seconds to bring my handtop out of Standby is just not that long. I'd welcome shorter, but I can't say it makes any difference to me now.
I agree with everything else you said, especially about the DualCor being a niche device, only "needed" until full-OS handtops became powerful enough and that it became irrelevant before it even came to market.
I simply can't generate any interest in the DualCor at this point. The UX90 has the CF slot that was the only thing that made me even take a look initially. I'll be interested in OQO's next move, but, unless they bring out something commensurately innovative to the original 01 in its time, I'll stick with the UX.

Recent Blog: MeanSquare's Review of the Sony UX (with comparison to OQO)

06/09/06 + slickster

I dont understand how this is disappointing? DualCor is just being upfront! Heck who the frig wants to be forced to have Cingular EDGE on my UX? Not me. My conversations with DualCor they have many addons for Sprint, Cingular and Tmobile so I am putting my money for my cPC! Case closed

06/09/06 + 2disbetter

case closed? I think that is a little pre-mature. Besides no one really cares about the lack of a mobile provider, I think people are more dissappointed by the zero wireless ability of the device. I don't even think the thing comes with IR.

I think Dualcor would be wise to incorporate bluetooth or wifi into the device. That alone would put it on par with today current devices.

As mentioned before, most poeple don't fully understand the benefit of having a dual os system, and therefore its primary selling point is a somewhat mute point. (Sadly... in the tech industry the smarter the device the less it sells)

06/09/06 + MeanSquare

slickster: I didn't want to be locked into edge either. That's why I bought the UX90s with the CF slot. So I get Bluetooth, WiFi, CF, (Memory Stick, but who cares?), and USB 2.0.

Recent Blog: MeanSquare's Review of the Sony UX (with comparison to OQO)

edited: Jun 10 2006 + mensrea

slickster, your zeal appears to be clouding your judgment. So long as your happy with your choice who cares. Right?

06/10/06 + mensrea

MS,

"The only exception I had with anything you said is with the above comment. I never thought I'd say this when my Pocket PC was my constant companion, but, honestly, 2.5 seconds to bring my handtop out of Standby is just not that long. I'd welcome shorter, but I can't say it makes any difference to me now."

No, I agree with you. I put in the parenthetical about instant on because it matters to some and like you it once mattered to me. But, like you since getting my OQO my ipaq is just sitting quietly in its cradle collecting dust. The progress has been outstanding. If the 02 dosen't come out and kick butt, I'm gonna have to get me one of those pretty little Sony's though that company really does irk me.

06/12/06 + wraith808

@slickster
802.11b/g and Bluetooth don't "lock" you into anything. You get PPCs and even phones(!) with BT capabilities, and WiFi on PPCs are becoming standard. Without it, the cPC is pretty much a brick without something dongling off of it. I'm sorry, I just don't like to have to use ports on my device (and extra battery power) for functionality that should have been inherent, not to mention that there is a lot more overhead (in performance) using an external device. If you're satisfied, that's all that should count for you- other than the fact that I think the market will vote in general *not* to get such a device. Such a shame.

@mensrea - it seems like we were saying the same thing- what am I not getting?

06/13/06 + titus

I agree with slickster, partially. They are being upfront, but 3 months later after promising something that they didn't deliver on (March sales, all-in-one-convergent device, wifi/cell, etc)... I'm still going to end up requesting one from management, though, when they come out (as well as some other UMPC or OQO devices for comparison).

We deal with emerging technologies in education, and it might work out to have something not keyed into a particular service/technology. I am mildly bummed about the lack of Wifi, but with the standards changing every year to a "better" technology, having the ability to swap out a component is similar to the desktop PC clone experience. 802.11b got outdated, now it's g. Swap a CF card. Want EDGE over EVDO? Swap cards. I think that for most people, the choice will provide the cPC with the ability to conform to more modular uses, not forever linked to one manufacturer or technology (except Microsoft unless OS X.5 works on it... lol).

Imagine if you didn't *have* to upgrade (you know you will, though, because you are as geeky and technology addicted as I am) the whole unit, but just the peripherals for a period of 4-6years??? Ok, that might be a pipe dream, but I'm fond of modularity as long as the end result allows you to do what you want when you want it, and isn't overly problematic (ie: will your pockets be loaded with CF cards?).

titus

edited: Jun 13 2006 + MeanSquare

Actually, I still don't see it entirely. If you go with the EDGE model, sure, it's possible (likely?) that something better may well come along and you'll want that instead. Bluetooth, on the other hand, probably won't avance much in the forseeable future. Some new profiles might be added, but those could be added with an update to the stack. If WiMAX or something better than WiFi g comes out, and you really want to update, you can use the USB port to add the new option. The difference is that, right now, you don't have a bunch of dongles sticking out of your machine just to get wireless connectivity of any kind.

Ultimately, I want to see a kind of modularity in handheld systems. Sony's actually taking a step in that direction with the three distinct models of the UX series (although the modularity isn't customer-configurable). I want the modularity to be inside the case, not outside of it, though. Nothing takes away from the value of a handtop than having to slap on a bunch of things after you take it out of the case.

Recent Blog: MeanSquare's Review of the Sony UX (with comparison to OQO)