The appearance of UMPCs, and the resulting discussions about mobility have caused me to rethink the whole concept of "portable" devices. What do we really care about when we say we want a device to be mobile?
For example, at one time a small notebook computer was the perfect example of wonderful mobility in computing. I used an older Dell notebook at work, and I can tell you that it's not my idea of easily portable. It didn't have an integrated optical drive. The battery life was appalling. It didn't have built-in WiFi. And if I carried it around, it really needed to be in a protective case. So what appeared to be a wonderfully portable and mobile solution was miserable.
The tiny, sleek notebook computer by itself was wonderful. But I had to add an optical drive, shell for the drive, AC power cord, network wire, WiFi card, heavy and bulky laptop case, etc. Now my portable computer was not so portable after all.
So what does this mean? Everyone has different needs, but let me point out some of the key concepts that I think are repeated over and over to describe portability, but are outside the usual concept of actual product dimensions.
I want to shake up the concept of (useful) mobility by presenting it in these terms:
1) Battery Life
2) "The Whole Package"
3) Size
4) Value
Let me explain...
1) Battery Life
You might think it odd that I put this first. But I think it's number one. Even a regular size laptop computer would be more portable in my mind than a UMPC if you could get 8 hrs with the built in battery. You could grab it and go, maybe.
2) Critical accessories are built-in or easily "packaged"
Samsung has done us a great favor with it's Q1 portfolio case. It hold the Q1 and a keyboard, showing us that functionality is not always about what is built in to the device. It what we carry around and how convenient the whole package is. I personally prefer a convertible tablet form factor, but you can't deny the advantages of a slate with a keyboard/portfolio.
3) Size
Yes, I didn't ignore this completely because it's important. People understand the advantages, and the tradeoffs, of a pocket-sized device. But, so far, only a few of us are really grabbing hold of the advantages and tradeoffs of having a UMPC-sized device. I like this description from
Vikram Madan, a UMPC development manager at Microsoft. "...a fully functional form-factor that fits in your hands, lets you take all your ‘digital stuff’ with you everywhere you go, keeps you linked to your world from anywhere, and enables you to make the best use of your precious time - irrespective of whether you are working, relaxing, traveling, sharing kids’ pictures with GrandMa, pitching ad-funded web startup ideas to VCs, getting sued for copyright-infringing-user-uploaded content, or just plain ol' trying-to-attract-the-attention-of-attractive-strangers-in-cafés."
Many of us used to carry around Franklin planners because it was worth the effort to have our information with us at all times. How cool is it to be able to do that now with all the additional value of a UMPC?!
But for some, a laptop will be sufficient, or a slate Tablet PC. Others will only use a desktop. As more form factors emerge, mobility is becoming a spectrum of choices rather than something you either have or don't have with a device.
That's a good thing.
4) Value (Usefulness)
We don't normally talk about usefulness as a criteria for portability or mobility, but if we are talking about whether or not a device has value in a mobile role, we had better include it, mustn't we? (Is that really a word?)
Smartphones are becoming quite capable, and it won't be too long before the true constraints are directly due to the form factor. Right now we are limited by the form factor (small screen no room for keyboards or big batteries, etc). But eventually, we will get down to a simple matter of space for features that interface with the user, like a keyboard or screen or holographic projection or whatever.
For some, that limiting factor will destroy its usefulness, and they will need to move to a UMPC with a full-fledged OS, and increased compatibility. What "full-fledged OS" means in the future is a whole different question, but let's just say for now that people like to be able to use the same OS as they would on a desktop. They want the device to be functional, comfortable to use, and compatible. Again, that's a big win for UMPC mobility.
But notice that it's about the tradeoff. Useful mobility depends on the value. We are "buying" mobility by sacrificing usefulness. (And in many cases, a lot of money also. Mobility is expensive right now!)
My Personal Preferences
*) "Pocket" mobility
I love my Treo. I carry it with me everywhere. Sometimes I even turn the phone on. I can watch video, listen to music or audiobooks, read e-books, look at documents or reference material, do word processing, browse the web, check the news, read the Bible, dictate for transcription, look up phone numbers, watch TV, scribble notes on the screen, get directions, find restaurants, look at maps, get the weather, play games, do email or IM, look things up in Wikipedia or a dictionary, and so much more. It "even" has an address book and calendar. I don't know what I'd do without it!
*) Franklin Planner mobility
This is the next great horizon that I eagerly await. It's "sort of" here, but processors and energy efficiency have a way to go. A small UMPC, with a nice on-screen keyboard or keyboard portfolio gives a powerful solution. You can do most desktop PC work on it, despite the small screen that is a small price to pay for convenience. You can take notes on it, keep your information and video/audio/pictures/e-books on it and you can run regular Windows software. Unfortunately, they are expensive, battery life is not 6-8hrs with standard batteries, they are underpowered, run too hot, the screens are hard to see in direct sunlight, and so forth. But I still want one, of course! And they will improve fast over the next couple of years.
I don't think most people would have wanted to carry a $1300 Franklin planner. But I bet that many people would be willing to carry a $500 UMPC. Time will tell, but I think it will be too convenient to pass up. For those of you with a Sony Reader, imagine full UMPC functionality on that form factor and keep the long battery life. It's so nice to think about. Almost too good to be anything but science fiction.
*) Desktop
Okay, so even a fanatic doesn't always demand mobility. A desktop computer is just what I want much of the time. The price, power and expandability is a wonderful option. Some people no longer need a desktop computer once they have a laptop. Some people will still want one. It's all about preferences and needs.
Conclusion
My goal was to help us take another look at what mobility is becoming and to help us break out of the mindset of pocket phone vs laptop vs desktop. Right now, it may seem like it's a new perspective. But in 20 years, everyone on the street will see things this way. Their perceptions won't be artificially molded by previous product sets like we are. It's a whole new world of mobile computing, and it's just around the corner. Let me know if I've succeeded.
BTW, the article photo is a reduced version of a picture in the UMPCportal.com gallery. They have some really nice pictures of the UW70x series of UMPC devices that we are eagerly awaiting on the market. Their gallery and site are well worth a look.