Yesterday I posted that the Motion LS800 is not a UMPC. Steve over on The CarryPad UMPC Journal has called me out on that because he feels that it is. Steve has taken a punt at defining the UMPC as:
A highly portable computing device with 5-10" screen, wired and wireless connectivity that is able to load and run common internet, office, media and pim applications operated through a graphical user interface.
If you use that definition then the LS800 is certainly within the category - however that is not the definition I use. In truth - it is not hardware that defines the UMPC category, it is software. Whenever I use the term UMPC or origami I am referring to a device that is running the MS touch pack.
Now, although it is software that defines the category (for me - feel free to disagree) because of the requirements Microsoft put on OEMs the software dictates the hardware. Specifically:
Hardware Specifications
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Approximately 7" diagonal display (or smaller)
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Minimum 800 x 480 resolution
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Approximately 2 pounds
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Integrated touch panel
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WiFi- and Bluetooth-enabled
The LS800 is certainly a PC that is Ultra Mobile. However Motion Computing cannot license the touch pack for the LS800 because the screen is 8.4" and it has an 800 x 600 screen resolution. It also has an active digitizer instead of a touch screen so - quite simply - it would not make sense at all to put the touch pack on it.
Microsoft got some great mileage out of the UMPC launch and they don't have a trademark on the term UMPC. As a result people who sell similar products will label them UMPCs to try ride the coat tails of Microsoft. That is what marketers do. Steve is bemoaning a lack of clarity and in the same post adding to the confusion.
When I use the term UMPC I mean something running the touch pack. I use the term Ultra Portable to describe other devices like the LS800.
At the end of the day, however, it does not matter where we draw the lines in the sand or what labels we use. What is important is that we understand the relative strengths and weaknesses of devices so we can help people get the right device for their unique set of needs.