| Atom-based UMPC doubles as phone |
Apr. 14, 2008
 Willcom says it will ship in mid-June a Centrino Atom-based UMPC (ultra-mobile PC) that can make phone calls using PHS (personal handyphone system) networks. The Sharp-manufactured D4 features a five-inch display, 1GB of RAM, a 40GB hard disk, two megapixel camera, WiFi, and Bluetooth.
(Click here for a larger view of Willcom's D4)
Also known as the Sharp WS016SH, the D4 will be offered initially to users of Willcom's PHS data network in Japan. Now said to cover 99.4 percent of the country, PHS uses cells under two kilometers in size, and offers data rates of up to 800Kbps.
 The D4 can be used to make phone calls with an included headset, or with an optional handset (shown at right) that connects to the UMPC via Bluetooth. With a small display and regular phone keypad, the handset can be used to make calls while the UMPC is kept in a bag or on a nearby table, according to Willcom.
For web browsing, the device offers a five-inch 1024 x 600 touchscreen display, plus a sliding, 64-key QWERTY keyboard. In addition to Bluetooth, the D4 also features 802.11b/g WiFi and a TV receiver. Wired Ethernet may be added via an optional desktop cradle, which also delivers four USB ports and video output.
As mentioned, the D4 uses Intel's Centrino Atom chipset, including a 1.33GHz Atom Z520 processor and SCH (system controller hub) companion chip. It has a non-expandable 1GB of 533MHz DDR2 RAM, along with a 1.8-inch, 40GB hard disk drive. Storage can be expanded via a MicroSD card reader.
Measuring 7.6 x 3.3 x 1 inches, the D4 sports an autofocus two megapixel camera, plus mouse buttons and a touch pad that illuminate when used. It ships with Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1, Microsoft Office Personal 2007, a hard drive backup utility, and OCR software that can use the camera to recognize business cards.
Features and specifications listed by Willcom for the D4 include:- Processor -- Intel Atom Z520, clocked at 1.33GHz, with SCH companion chip
- Memory -- 1GB of 533MHz DDR2 RAM
- Storage -- 40GB hard disk drive (1.8-inch)
- Display -- five-inch touchscreen display with 1024 x 600 resolution
- Camera -- two megapixel, with autofocus
- Keyboard -- 64-key sliding QWERTY keyboard, plus illuminated, touch-sensitive mouse buttons and keypad
- Wireless:
- WAN -- Willcom PHS network via W-SIM
- WLAN -- 802.11b/g
- PAN -- Bluetooth 2.0
- television receiver
- Other I/O:
- Docking connector
- Mini USB port
- Expansion -- Micro SD card
- Dimensions -- 7.6 x 3.3 x 1
- Weight -- 1.03 pounds (470g)
- Battery -- standard and optional large-capacity battery packs, operating time not specified
Said to be available in mid-June, the Willcom D4 costs 128,600 yen (approximately $1,280). Sharp will presumably offer the device through additional channels, but no information on this was provided.
Related stories:
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