Modular System Puts Desktop Power In PDA Form Factor

OQO

The new moniker is in reference to the design of the device, which boasts the power of a desktop computer in a PDA form factor. The device, developed by former Apple engineers, is not only small and powerful, but also convertible.

It can be used as is with a its touch-screen monitor. Or with optional attachments, it can be connected to a monitor, keyboard and mouse and used like a desktop computer. It also can be slipped into a "notebook shell," which contains a notebook-style keyboard and screen with open bays for the Ultra-Personal PC and additional drives and batteries.

Without its options, the device weighs less than 9 ounces and measures 4.9 x 2.9 x 0.9 inches. It comes standard with a VGA color touch screen, 1GHz Crusoe processor, 256 Mbytes of RAM, a 10-Gbyte hard drive minimum, 3-D graphics and audio. In addition to the proprietary expansion connection, it includes Firewire, USB, 802.11b wireless and Bluetooth wireless. The company claims the device can run for about 8 hours before the battery needs to be recharged.

"This is a fully functional XP computer," said Colin Hunter, executive vice president of OQO and a co-founder of Transmeta, which produces the Crusoe processor. "We've thrown in everything."

OQO also has the capabilities to add 2.5G wireless support into the device and is working with manufacturers of fold-up keyboards to ensure there will be a portable keyboard available at launch, Collins said.

The unit is expected to go on sale by the end of the year for $1,000 to $1,200, he said.

OQO isn't the only company talking about the idea of a powerful computer that could be carried around in a shirt pocket or briefcase. Intel has been showing off its concept design of the Personal Server, a device about the length and width of a credit card and depth of a deck of cards. It could have enough internal storage to carry all of a user's personal information and data as well as applications.

Unlike the Ultra-Personal PC, Intel's Personal Server would not include an integrated screen. Instead, it would wirelessly connect to any available display,either that of a user's PDA, a kiosk or a personal or office PC.

"This device connects through a very short wireless link," said Roy Want, principal engineer, Intel Research. "One of the cool things is you don't have to touch that device. There doesn't have to be any inherent UI on that link."

Intel also has been showing off a number of modular notebook concepts. Some would build in a small display on the outside of a notebook so that it could broadcast appointment reminders or messages. Another contains modular pieces that can snap out: one includes a snap-in PDA and another a snap-in wireless mouse/notebook trackpad.

Like its competitor Transmeta, Intel won't be manufacturing these devices. The companies are putting together reference designs that manufacturers can use to develop future products based on their respective chips.

For initial sales of its device, OQO is targeting top-tier consumer electronics companies. Collins said OQO is hoping to OEM the product but also keep the OQO brand in the products' names. The device also will be sold directly on the company's Web site, he said.

Based in San Francisco, OQO was founded in 1999 by several members of the team that created the Apple Titanium Powerbook.