| Mobile device merges Pocket PC Phone, Tablet PC |
Dec. 16, 2005
 Start-up DualCor Technologies claims to have created a mobile device that combines a Windows Mobile Pocket PC Phone with a Windows XP Tablet PC, in a compact handheld with a 5-inch touch-screen. The company will debut the device, known as the "cPC," at CES next month.
The 6.5 x 3.3 x 1.2-inch cPC's Tablet PC subsystem runs Microsoft's Windows XP Tablet operating system on a 1.5GHz Via C7-M processor, equipped with 1GB of DDR 2 DRAM memory and a 40GB hard drive.
The cPC also includes a built-in Pocket PC Phone subsystem, based on an Intel XScale processor running Microsoft's Windows Mobile 5.0 Pocket PC Phone OS. The Pocket PC Phone subsystem has its own 128MB of DRAM, along with 1GB of Flash storage memory that holds the Windows Mobile OS and associated applications.
DualCor's compact cPC merges Pocket PC Phone and Tablet PC functions
The cPC's display and hard drive are shared between both the Tablet PC and Pocket PC subsystems. Additionally, the device has two USB 2.0 type A ports, one USB 2.0 type B port, and a CompactFlash Type II slot.
A docking cradle adds a larger LCD screen, a source of recharging and operating power, and connections for a full sized keyboard and mouse (most likely USB-interfaced), allowing the device to be used like a normal desktop PC when docked.
Two OSes -- shared resources
The company has not disclosed how the two sets of OS capabilities -- Windows Mobile Pocket PC Phone, and Windows XP Tablet PC -- share the system's resources, or how the user switches between the functions of one and the functions of the other.
DualCor apparently considers the dual-OS configuration unique enough to warrant a patent on the approach. Cofounders Bryan Cupps (CTO) and Tim Glass are listed as having filed an international patent application titled "Novel personal electronics device", which is described as follows:
"A novel personal electronic device includes a processor having first (embedded) and second (non-embedded) processors including associated operating systems and functions. In one aspect, the first processor performs relatively limited functions, while the second processor performs relatively broader functions under control of the first processor. Often the second processor requires more power than the first processor and is selectively operated by the first processor to minimize overall power consumption. Protocols for functions to be performed by the second processor may be provided directly to the second processor and processed by the second processor. In another aspect, a display controller is designed to interface with both processors. In another aspect, the operating systems work with one another. In another aspect, the first processor employs a thermal control program. Advantages of the invention include a broad array of functions performed by a relatively small personal electronics device."
 In many ways, the cPC is reminiscent of OQO's "ultra personal computer" (UPC; pictured at right). The OQO UPC measures 4.9 x 3.4 x 0.9 in.), weights 14 oz., and is fitted with a 5-inch 800x480 ("wide VGA") screen, and converts into a desktop PC when docked. But unlike the cPC, the UPC runs Windows XP Home Edition or Professional, and has a single processor, a 1 GHz Transmeta Crusoe (at last count).
A case study published by GDA Technologies, a San Jose, Calif.-based contract R&D house, indicates that DualCor outsourced the development of the cPC to GDA. "The [design] decision is so critical because we have everything riding on it," Cupps said, in the GDA case study. "It's all about who you work with."
DualCor, based near Santa Cruz, Calif., had not released cPC availability or pricing information by publication time.
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