UMPCs and GIS
In early 2006, Microsoft officially announced their vision for the Ultra-Mobile PC (UMPC). What began as the “Origami Project†evolved into a unique mobile device combining the processing power of a desktop computer with the mobility of a PDA. The devices would also add the functionality of a tablet PC by running Windows XP Tablet Edition.
The initial offering of devices came from Samsung and TabletKiosk. TabletKiosk’s eo was released first while the Samsung’s Q1 came soon after. Both featured similar hardware specifications - 7†LCD touch screen, 40-60 GB hard drive, processing speed around 1.0 GHz, 512 – 1 GB RAM, and 2-3 hours of battery life.
These devices present new opportunities for mapping and geographic information systems (GIS) compared with traditional handheld devices. Using Windows XP allows for many desktop GIS application to run on a UMPC. Imagine having a complete mapping and editing solution in the field without any limitations. Also, the larger screen allows for easier navigation and map viewing. Additionally, UMPCs have both USB and wireless support for adding GPS capabilities (future UMPC devices may come GPS-enabled).
The technology is still maturing though so there are some limitations. The battery life becomes problematic for usages exceeding several hours. The LCD screens can be difficult to view in the sun, similar to laptops. Also, the 800 by 480 resolution results in some programs displaying menus that extend off the screen.
Overall, UMPC devices should have a profound impact on the future of mobile GIS and other location-based services. Stay tuned for our experiences running GIS applications on a UMPC…
