Will HP do a UMPC?

Over the last few years the thin line between PC and mobile phones has been blurring.
Increasingly, PCs have taken on mobile features (like Internet access through sim cards or
even the ability to make VoIP calls), while the mobiles today let you almost do everything
that a PC does.

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Todd Bradley: Evaluating how things turn
out in ultra mobile PCs in the coming time

So, after PDAs and mobile laptops, a new hot category has appeared on the computing
landscape; it is known as the UMPC or simply stating, ultra-mobile PCs. UMPC is
aspecification for a small form factor tablet PC, jointly developed by Microsoft, Intel,
Samsung, and others.

While UMPC might be as big as a PDA, the basic difference is that a UMPC can do
anything that a PC can. Thus, a software running on desktop should run on UMPC without a
hitch, while a PDA usually has a customized OS (Symbian, etc) and applications.

Quite many makers have evinced interest in this market segment, like Sony, Samsung,
Nokia, Asus and others. As the world’s largest IT corporation, Hewlett-Packard (HP)
is also taking a keen interest in the mobility market, specially the handhelds, will it
release a device in the UMPC space.

"Not at the moment," said Todd Bradley, Executive VP—Personal Systems
Group, HP, adding, "To be honest, we do find the space interesting and are evaluating
how things turn out in the coming time."

Bradley considers the biggest hindrance is cost as most of the devices are pretty steep
on the wallet. "The challenge is to produce inexpensive devices and when the time is
right, HP will also look at offering a solution in that space," he said.

HP recently launched the mammoth 20-inch HDX laptop, dubbed as a Dragon at the
‘Making Connections’ event held in Shanghai; it would be nice if it went at the
other extreme and launched a UMPC device.

For the moment, however, the executives at HP are keeping their cards close to their
chest.

The author was hosted in Shanghai by HP