OQO's Next UMPC Will Include OLED Touchscreen

OQO is set to unveil an updated version of it Ultra Mobile PC. Like its predecessors, this will be a tiny PC running the regular version of Windows, but the upcoming version will add some new features, including an OLED touchscreen.

OQO's current UMPC, the model 2, looks like a slightly larger than normal handheld, but runs either Windows XP or Vista.

The current version uses a track stick pointing device to control a cursor, but the next edition -- the OQO model 2+ -- will add a touchscreen. Rather than this being a standard LED, this will be an organic LED, which should use less power.

But this won't be the only change. The upcoming model will be based on a 1.86 GHz Intel Atom processor, rather than a slightly slower one from VIA as the current model does.

Also, OQO says the model 2+ will sport "worldwide 3G capability," which almost certainly means it will have HSDPA, and possible HSUPA, too. EV-DO Rev A is an option for its predecessor.

This pre-announcement information comes directly from OQO, who says the model 2+ will be unveiled at CES in mid-January. 

There's no word yet on what this UMPC will cost, but the current version starts at $1,300.

More about the OQO model 2

The current OQO model 2 weighs in at only one pound, and includes an 800-by-480-pixel, 5-inch touchscreen. Behind its sliding screen is a 58-key backlit thumb keyboard.

It can be configured  with hard drives in a variety of sizes -- up to 120 GB -- with some of these options being SSDs.  

This UMPC offers Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g), Bluetooth, and an Ethernet port. As mentioned earlier, EV-DO service from either Sprint or Verizon is an option.

Overall, the model 2 is 5.6 inches wide, 3.3 inches wide, and 1.0 inch thick.

OQO says this device's 4500 mAh battery offers up to 3 hours of use, and a double-capacity battery is also available.

Via GottaBeMobile