SGLNX

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The reason why netbooks are increasing in its demand is because users are starting to prefer smaller and lighter notebooks to carry around.

There is another range of devices that is rising in popularity, probably not here in Singapore. But its presence can already be felt. The Mobile Internet Devices, aka MID, are handheld computers built around mobile processors such as the Atom or ARM CPU. It will usually have a 5 to 7 inch LCD touchscreen and can function somewhat like a PC.

MID, as its name suggests, is catered primarily as a web browser device. In the modern day of cloud computing, where data are stored online rather than offline, having a device that has a proper web browser means all your data can be accessed easily. With web applications such as Google Apps, one can even edit spreadsheets over the web. Social networking applications such as Facebook and LinkedIn are merely a click away. Videos are readily played over YouTube, which also is accessible via a flash capable web browser.

Most MIDs run their customized variant of the linux operating system, open source allows them to customize their own kernel for optimal performance. The linux operating system and applications must also be compiled for the processor, this means that a MID running on ARM processor cannot execute a binary built for the x86 processor such as Atom.

While the most applications are centred around the x86 processor, the ARM processor has gain some support from the opensource community such as Canonical Ltd, whom had announced a Ubuntu OS variant built for the ARM processor. The ARM processor has been recognized by various vendors to be an ardent competitor with Intel Atom to be used on MIDs. And thus, some opensource operating systems had produced variants for the ARM instead of only creating for X86 processors.

One such MID device running of the ARM processor is the SmartQ5 MID.

Some of the specifications worth mentioning :

Samsung 667MHz ARM11 processor
Built in 802.11bg wifi
1 gigabyte flash ram built in, 256mb available to user
2000 mAH Lithium polymer battery
160 grams in weight
Pre-installed customized linux OS
Available only in black colour
Full Specs here

Though this MID has been around for some months already, it was recently spotted in Singapore’s Sim Lim Square. SGLNX traced down the distributor of SmartQ5 in Singapore and had its first hands-on of the SmartQ5. A very brief one.

Touchscreen was good enough for using fingers rather than the provided stylus. This was the common touchscreen which reacts to pressure(stylus and fingers) unlike those capacitive touchscreens on the Android Dream and Apple’s Iphone, which reacts to conductive materials. (fingers only).

Screen size is relatively small. A drop down windows style “Start” menu allows the user to choose which application to run. The start menu is easy to see and use despite the small screen estate.

Terminal mode is also possible. Common commands such as “ls” and “sudo” works as expected. It is based on the debian OS, so I tried to do an “apt-get” install. However, pressing the tab key doesn’t autocomplete the command line. So I went to see the /etc/apt/sources.list to take a quick peek. “vi” showed an empty file with zero lines. If so, this means that the manufacturer did not want the end users to change or upgrade the linux OS on their own.

Next, the web browser was tested.
It took sometime for the web-browser to be loaded. <6 seconds.

Sadly, there wasn’t an available wifi connection to test with. However, upon my query, the distributor also revealed that the SmartQ5 is currently unable to view embedded flash videos [eg Youtube]. From my knowledge of linux, this is likely a software issue. It is also known that Adobe has been slow to release a flashplayer for ARM devices. If the FLV video is downloaded, it can be played then from the included media player. Playing of common media such as RMVB, AVI, H.264, FLV, WMV, MPEG, ASF, etc. [ No VIWAWA gaming on this MID yet ]

The build of the body looks acceptable. Black seems to be the only colour available now.
There is also an included stylus that can be slided into a holding vault. The shape of the stylus and its holding vault looks to me that it will not become loose after continuous usage. This is important as some PocketPCs had poor stylus and holding vault design and this resulted in many owners losing their stylus over time.

The 4.3 inch screen means the SmartQ5 will fit into most shirt and pants pockets, making it easy to bring around. Another good feature mentioned by the local distributor is that, though this SmartQ5 does not come with built in 3G support, it is able to use it with a Huawei 3G USB dongle and get connected. This is a desirable feature as most local Singapore telco’s bundle free Huawei’s USB dongles with their 3G data plans. It’d also come in handy when Wireless@SG wifi coverage is not available.

Last but not least, the local Singapore distributor of this product is retailing it at an affordable price of S$299. Definitely cheaper than a regular netbook. Comes with a very basic productivity suite that allows the end user to edit documents and spreadsheets. It can also be considered an economical ebook reader as it is able to process PDF files.

The SmartQ5 has been mentioned by the few gadget portals below.

Engadget : SmartQ5 MID scores itself Ubuntu, a ridiculously low pricetag
Itechnews : Smart Devices SmartQ5 MID runs Ubuntu, gets priced
Gizmodo : SmartQ5 PMP swallows several Iphones, could take on Cowon P5 with lower pricing

The SmartQ5 is distributed in Singapore by PLAY SMART PTE LTD.

The SmartQ7 is also available for order from PlaySmart but is currently out of stock.

Related Links

Tags: ARM, cloud computing, Hardware, MID, touchscreen

This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 8th, 2009 at 11:07 and is filed under Hardware, MID. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.