Just a quick note here in case the product folks (from wherever) are reading this — TOTALLY agree w/you on this one.

>>>My next move will be an OQO2 (where are those OQO2 Reviews?!?)

How about a fondle?
http://mikecane.wordpress.com/2007/03/11/oqo-model-02-fondle/

I have two ‘very small’ PC’s, a Sony U50 (that has no keyboard), and an OQO 01+ that has the thumb board. I would not trade my OQO for the world (well, maybe for an OQO 02!) I find find the OQO so useful because it has the keyboard, it is so convenient to be able to tap out a few ACCURATE words, without having to correct handwriting recognition that won’t work as it should, or tap something out on the onscreen keyboard! Also, I find that using my OQO for Instant Messaging is very functional. Whereas I never used skype on my UX unless I was going to make an audio call.

Sure, I often use my U50 and OQO with a folding bluetooth keyboard, however, when I am in the line at the bank, or driving in my car, I can’t use that keyboard, then the thumb board is fantastic!

I have found that since I got the OQO I hardly ever use my U50 (it is now little more than a portable media player and occasional web browser).

I would love an OQO 02! Although, I believe the fan noise in that is just as annoying as it is on the 01 and 01+, perhaps I will settle for a Sony UX series next… I have never tried one to compare the keyboard with my OQO, so if anyone out there has, please let me know if it compares favourably or not.

Regards,

Dion
http://www.spirituality.org.za/blogger.html

I’m a newbie and I dont want to use a stylus tho i do want a touch screen . inking just seems cumbersome .. the very fact you have to take the stylus out of the device first to write anything puts me off. I can see how long time tablet users would prefer inking because they are used to it .. but .. just the thought of taking out a stylus to write something seems like an unnecessary step for soemthing so small.
Theres also the fact that when a normal every day user gets one of these devices it will most likely be the only device of this kind that they have and so they get very proficient at using thier thumbs as an input method . my sister does a lot of texting and she amazingly fast on just a 12 button phone .. thumb board is a must imo. i will not even consider a umpc with out one.

James.
Pick one up, balance it on one hand, get the pen out, click the input field, click the TIP icon, write, correct, then put the pen back naturally!

OK Its not as bad as that I know. I’m exaggerating a little. What we need are some newbies to test it out on. Anyone fancy taking a UMPC out with and without keyboards and doing some tests?

Steve.

Steve, I don’t think that’s true about Vista tablets. You can just pick one up and ink naturally.

@Ctitanic.
I guess you and many of the tablet users can ink faster than on a mini keyboard. You[ve had a lot of practice and thats one of the main points. Its too much of a learning curve for many people that are intersted (and targeted) by UMPCs.

This is an excellent thread of comments by the way. A lot of good thinking here.

Steve

Every time I try inking anything more than one number at a time on my WM2003 (cutting-edge!) PDA, I get so frustrated by it that I just go back to the software keyboard. I made 10 tries at inking a lower case k and could never do it, switched to the keyboard and it was there on the first try.

I agree that the thumb-keyboard is not an ideal solution for long periods of data entry. For short bits of text, maybe the size of an SMS, or email at most, it would do; but for entering a Word document, or lengthy programming, nothing beats a real keyboard. In those cases, an onscreen keyboard would be as good as a thumbboard for me; as both give me similar rates of wpm of data entry.

Like many of the others here, I like the addition of the split keyboard. I especially like it because it comes at no *cost*. What I mean by that is this: The space wasn’t being used anyway. It’s functionality without penalty. For those who like a tablet experience without the twisting and turning of a convertible, they have an option. It also keeps the thickness of the device down as compared to most convertibles.

No one is going to be a real speed demon on a keyboard like this. Heck, no one is going to be a speed demon on a P1610 keyboard. Speed demons use a full keyboard. But having and not needing is a whole lot better than needing and not having.

On design alone, I think the Samsung Q2 is going to be beat the hell out of the Flipstart. I just can’t help but think that the Flipstart is still a year too late, if not more.