Quote
PocketDVD - 2007-04-21 10:42 AM
Dear Clearview,
The MIPS Architecture for WindowsCE devices is (at the moment) virtually dead among software development. The release of the AMD cpu should bring this back to life, however, you will (probably) be one of the first to release a device based on it. This means that the Aura (sorry, couldn't help it) will be on release a new platform. Looking at the game-console market, it's not really the hardware that sells, but the software.
The bundle of software you provide is very impressive, but it will not be enough for most people.
(it never is)
You might want to look at the strategy of the GP2X/GPX handheld, which provides every owner with full access to dev-tools, resources and the likes to allow people to create their own programs easely.
By including an SDK available online, on CD/DVD, you ensure a bigger success. I personally would even go as far to contact some people who have experience in development for WindowsCE devices (non-commercial) to provide some additional software, and possibly get them on board to provide development support online by use of a forum.
By contacting HPC-Factor, you have made a big step in getting the community onboard, but, and now I probably will get flamed, there are not many dev guys on here that would be able to port applications to your device.
Applications that I am thinking of are simple emulators for certain populair hardware, game-consoles, classic computers etc.
However, once you have a name for the device, and provided the specs, I will personally add the device to DVD Catalyst.
Dear Mr "Pocket DVD"
You are absolutely right about the popularity of the MIPS architecture in the industry as a whole. It is true that I asked the community to get involved and see if we can find our XL43 a name. I my opinion this is the best way to "go to market" with a new "product", getting as much feedback as possible from the hpc community. As well, this is not something you can do at a to early stage in development or at very late stage.
What I am looking forward to is hearing feedbacks and suggestions that are very similar to yours.
Having a "sexy" product name but offering a limited amount of software/support will simply result in one more UMPC failure. As of today there is not one product on the market that managed to stand out and succeed.
Here is my personal view on what a UMPC is all about . The consumers will decide if I am right or wrong. The UMPC category of products was defined by Microsoft and Intel. They came up with the "official" guidelines in terms of minimum/maximum amount of specifications that a product must have to fall in this category. It is not hard to figure out that since these two companies a biased they wouldn't consider anything other than their products where applicable.
UMPC DEFINITION BY INTEL: CPU REQUIRED -> INTEL CPU MODEL XYZ etc...
UMPC DEFINITION BY MICROSOFT: OS REQUIRED -> MS WINDOWS VISTA etc..
(Microsoft dropped XP from the OS requirement shortly after Vista was launched
)
This obviously means that if a product qualifies in this category in terms of all other specs and it has an AMD CPU it is not a UMPC. It is self explanatory for us that for Intel our product is not a UMPC. Since MS only considers VISTA platforms products as UMPC we didn't "qualify" in their perspective. Unfortunately for Microsoft this "VISTA BY DECREE" strategy has backfired since as recently as this week their NR 1 partner INTEL announced their new "vision" of what a UMPC will look like in the future. Unfortunately for MS it looks like INTEL vision of the future UMPC's are based on a LINUX platform These new INTEL products are called: MID
(MOBILE INTERNET DEVICE
)
formerly known as UMPCs.
As of today, I still categorize the XL43 as a UMPC product and here is why;
In my view the XL43 defines what is the meaning of the acronym UMPC. In other words the XL43 is a ULTRA MOBILE PORTABLE COMPUTER.
The XL 43 is ULTRA MOBILE simply because it is small and light. You will not feel like you are carrying a PC, and that is the way you should feel. Battery life is 6hrs min. and 14 hrs max. Yes indeed up to 14hrs!
Let's also recap a few basic specs/features on the XL43: WIFI INTERNET ACCESS, E-MAIL, MSN, VOIP, WEB, OFFICE FILE READER
(WRITER TBD
), MULTIMEDIA PLAYER
(DIVX, MP3 etc
), SD, BLUETOOTH, USB 2.0, VOICE RECORDER,
FM RADIO, DIGITAL CAMERA, DIGITAL VIDEO CAMERA, GPS/NAVIGATION
(EMAP WITH 11MIL POI, TEXT TO VOICE
)... Finally, we didn't forget the KEYBOARD which is also very portable...
In my view, consumers in general
(when they think UMPC
) have the wrong expectations. The UMPC's where never meant as laptop or a desktop replacements. A UMPC is there to fill in the blanks while you are on the go. A UMPC was meant to keep you in CONTACT with your FAMILY/FRIENDS, to keep you INFORMED, provide you with ENTERTAINMENT and to CAPTURES "SPECIAL MOMENTS" in your life as a digital picture or video format.
On the other hand the manufacturers didn't succed because they built their products based on the flawed expectations that consumers have of UMPCs.
It will take a VERY LONG TIME for the UMPC to retail sub 500.00$ USD, for the battery to last over 12hrs
(full load
), for it to match the functionality/performance of a laptop/desktop while being able to fit in your pocket. On top of all this we has the "QWERTY" issue.
Finally, I want to emphasis on one important factor; What I have mentioned above is to be considered as a personal opinion and nothing more. Under any circumstance I am not implying that our product is better or worst than any of our competitor's products. Only one person can decide on this and that is YOU.
Getting back to where we left of....
Presently here is what I am
considering in terms of softwares and support for the XL43;
1. Softwares that already offers support for our platform.
2. Softwares that does not offer support.
3. Providing the SDK to our customers on our website
Please feel free to post any comments or questions.
PS. The detailed XL43 specs will be announced in a few hours right here on HPCFactor.
Thank you all!
Tomas Csaba
Clearview Technology
Edited by clearviewaudio 2007-04-21 7:29 PM
