Yes. I keep hoping the markets will open and accept the idea of ink-enabled devices. And each year, I wish for the UMPC and Tablet PC to garner a greater market share of new technology purchases. Several OEMs are ready to burst onto the scene with their interpretations of the Ultra Mobile Platform. Who were the winners in 2007 and which company will gather up the largest market share in 2008? More important, will the market grow?
2007 Winners
This past week was owned by three companies: Gigabyte, ASUS, and OQO. Gigabyte and ASUS are ready to release their systems and OQO is on a roll with the announcement that CSX is purchasing OQO systems as well as honored in Sanity check: The 10 most important business technology products of 2007.
Even though these companies fared well this week, each week seems to be a different company in the headlines. This might be due to the lack of the perfect Ultra Mobile product for most technology consumers. For example, the OQO is a nice system if purchased in the better or best configuration because inking is not possible in the "good" configuration with only 512 MB RAM and Windows XP Home. The ink experience is vital in the UMPC platform and the extra $400 is worthwhile. Regardless, the market continues to fracture as companies attempt to develop a configuration worthy of purchase.
2008: Is there a killer-product waiting in the wings?
Presently, the market in 2008 looks wide open for any company developing and shipping a complete Ultra Mobile product. The Gigabyte and ASUS products look like they will be interesting products for anyone interested in needing a keyboard while on the move. Samsung products will continue to proliferate, however, don't forget the Fujitsu U810 and the race for market share will be rough. Finally, the Apple product introductions expected in January may shake up the market.
If you were an OEM, what type of product would you develop for the 2008 market? Would you take the best of the iPhone features, Fujitsu screen clarity, ASUS smoothness, and the Gigabyte keyboard and combine your version of the perfect product?
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