Comments on: Microsoft patent reveals some sort of Windows-based multimedia/communication device (crappy pics included)

By: Zune Accessory » Microsoft patent reveals some sort of Windows-based multimedia/communication device (crappy pics included)

Thu, 21 Jun 2007 01:03:55 +0000

[...] post by istartedsomething June 18th 2007 Posted to [...]

By: Nexus

Nexus — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 00:05:57 +0000

I’ll add my input. I think most people are thinking all wrong about this. a UMPC is a full blown windows computer, I have the feeling that this is a slightly smaller scope device. Think Intel’s MID UMPC’s blended somewhat with a Creative Zen Vision:W. In my mind this would be the flagship zune product, much the same way the W is to creative, but it encomasses a lot of third party support by using windows mobile underneath (and not something as ‘heavy’ as a full blown os). Also remember the old ‘Haiku’ UMPC Gates showed off at (surprisingly enough WinHEC ‘05, same year these were filled) Microsoft may have realised that the bulky full blown UMPC’s wont reach the Haiku thin and light factor for many years, but they could hit that vision with Windows Mobile. You may be used to thinking of windows mobile as a dummy PDA OS but i think its capable of the concept’s images of the patent filing by simply giving it a speedier processor and plenty of ram and it could shine.

In my mind this device would fill the media player need (vision:W/Zune/iPod) and fill the needs of a lightweight device that could do internet/email/office (folio/MID). Instant on, WM API’s etc. This would also be the evolution of the portable media center microsoft killed off. The Zune UI is basically that of media center’s and I can imagine this being strickly Microsoft with no OEM’s making them so microsoft gets it done right. It would fall under the Zune brand.

It actually makes a lot of sense to include a e-ink d-pad, because if done well icons can be a single black color and you have a quick and direct choice for what your options are when you drill into a certain situation (like someone messaging you) this could also have touchscreen ontop of it for answering IM’s or an attachable keyboard like the new HTC WM device). However that d-pad would still be your ‘home’ of sorts. It would be a great place for alerts and notifications that need the immediate-ness of quick input.

By: BoInTheMix

BoInTheMix — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 22:58:09 +0000

ohh wow! i like it very nice alex

By: Michael

Michael — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 17:03:45 +0000

Why not just make it all touchscreen? Much more easier than having changing button icons. Changing button icons is cool, but it’s not really needed that much, or wanted. It’s cool, but it’s ok without it. I’d rather have it be a complete touchscreen than changing button controls.

By: Adrian

Adrian — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 14:19:31 +0000

Nice job on the image Alex!
Long, nice post. : )

By: Long Zheng

Long Zheng — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 12:57:00 +0000

@Alex: Oh wow that’s hot! Wish I had some time to work on something like that.

By: Alex

Alex — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 12:54:15 +0000

Took the liberty to color the image a bit, http://img47.imageshack.us/img47/7639/mmcvl8.jpg

By: Long Zheng

Long Zheng — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 12:36:42 +0000

True, it is very similar to the Origami, but I don’t think any UMPCs have context-aware buttons or a Media Center styled interface.

By: origami

origami — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 12:25:40 +0000

This IS origami experience:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/umpc/default.mspx

By: Alex

Alex — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 11:42:02 +0000

I’ts a nice concept in my opinion, i would love to see some of that technology in future products. Touch screens in all its glory, the electronic ink D-Pad attracts me more for some reason, especially considering that future products might make use of both technologies. A Zune that looks like that definetively is far more attractive than the current one, which i honestly think is just an embarrassment to Microsoft…