Just yesterday I noticed that on my UMPC I couldn’t use the integrated webcams natively with Microsoft OneNote. After reading the various reader comments, I took a new approach this morning. I got to thinking how this wasn’t an issue in Windows XP, so I decided to focus on why that might be. This thought led me to the properties of the OneNote.exe executable itself; specifically, the compatibility and the security privileges.
Feeling sick over the weekend, I laid low offline and decided to delve into some desktop applications instead of using the web apps I prefer. Since my cord was cut, I dug around in one of my favorite bits of software: Microsoft OneNote. I installed it on my UMPC a few weeks back and wanted to play with some of the advanced features. Previously, I’ve used OneNote Mobile on a Windows Mobile device to take pictures and have them automatically inserted in my OneNote notebooks. It came in handy with a home project in the past, but since I no longer carry a Windows Mobile Phone, I was looking for another option when it hit me: OneNote can accept images directly from a webcam. My Samsung Q1 Ultra Premium, has not one, but two integrated webcams, so I figured I was all set! Just use the rear-facing camera to snap pics of projects, documents, UPS tracking numbers and more to have them all sucked into OneNote for later use.
I’m definitely in the minority when it comes to 3G modem options. Most folks prefer an integrated broadband radio, while I’m enamored with a USB solution since it works with all of my devices. Now that he’s installed a mini PCI HSDPA module in his Samsung Q1 Ultra Premium, Bartman is part of the majority too. He took the card out of an AT&T U881 AirCard and plopped it right in the extra and open slot that I found when showing you how to update the RAM in my the Q1UP. There’s also a SIM card holder inside too; I saw it, but my 3G is back with Verizon Wireless after a brief stint with AT&T and a portly 875U AirCard that I might crack open just for fun now.Bartman shows every step of his hack in pictures and there’s some nice shots of the antenna implementation he used. It must have been the right approach, because in his AT&T coverage area, he’s routinely seeing wireless speeds of 1.6 MB down and up to 1.5 MB back up, which is outstanding! Let’s see, my 875U plus an antenna and my iPhone SIM card would give me… hmm…. wheels are turning, people. Wheels are turning…
OtterBox has long been a name synonymous with outstanding device protection and today they’re bringing that protection to the latest UMPCs from Samsung. The new case fits either a Samsung Q1 Ultra or Ultra Premium model and offers access to practically every port and interface while offering protection from the elements.For $79.95, you’ll get your choice of yellow or black. Regardless of color, each case offers three layers of protection: a clear membrane, a Polycarbonate shell, and a thin silicone skin. I wouldn’t drop my UMPC underwater in this (although have I done that with a PDA in an OtterBox), but short of that, this case looks to offer outstanding protection while adding 11.5 ounces of weight.
Nosing around the Samsung Download center, I see there’s a new BIOS version available for the Q1 Ultra Premium UMPC, both the XP and Vista versions. My device is currently running Vista but I noticed that my BIOS is version 01MI, so I’ve just downloaded 02MI. The under 2 MB file ran in under five minutes and then the UMPC rebooted. Bear in mind that you’ll want to have your unit plugged in to an AC outlet and the battery must have at least a 30% charge or the BIOS update won’t run.I already had 2 GB of memory in the unit, so the old BIOS supports at least that much RAM. I figured the new BIOS would offer support for sharing up to 256 MB of memory with the video card since the Intel 945 chipset can handle that. On the original BIOS, only 128 MB of memory could be allocated to video. Unfortunately, when I checked in the the BIOS, I still see the same options for video memory: 64- and 128-MB, along with an Auto function which still tops out at 128 MB. At this point, I don’t see any visible changes in the BIOS setup screens, so I have no idea what the new version adds. Can anyone say “release notes”? Just for kicks, I ran the Windows Experience Index rating again… same exact scores as the last time.Update: Big word of caution. My Q1UP apparently no longer has a wireless radio inside after the BIOS upgrade. I’ve never seen software make hardware magically disappear. 
I’ll be working through the issue but wanted to quickly point it out. More to follow…Update 2: Either a few reboots or changing the wireless setting in the BIOS addressed the issue. Samwise is flying around the web without wires. Whew!
I think I’ve had my new Samsung Q1 Ultra Premium UMPC for around six weeks now. In that time, I’ve run Windows XP Tablet Edition (which came pre-installed), Windows Vista and even Mac OS X. It’s time to settle down now and that means I need an operating system for the long haul. Yes, I might do more experimenting, perhaps with a Linux distro or two, but I need my UMPC to be usable and rock-solid for everyday mobile use. So I’ve just wiped the drive and made a choice. Many of you would choose otherwise, but I went with Microsoft Windows Vista.
Continue reading »
This isn’t a terribly huge surprise, but it appears that Buy.com is now offering a different variation of the Samsung Q1 Ultra Premium. I bought the Q1UP-XP which had Microsoft Windows XP Tablet Edition pre-installed and 1 GB of RAM. The Q1UP-V will of course sport Microsoft Windows Vista, although I can’t tell which edition it will have. My guess would be the Home Premium edition, although the Business and Ultimate editions also support Tablet PC functionality.The price for the Q1UP-V at Buy.com is listed at $1,449.00, which is a $150 premium over what I paid for my UMPC running Windows XP. The extra cost gets you Vista, but also gets you a 2 GB stick of RAM installed; I don’t see any other differences. While it’s not difficult to buy and install the 2 GB yourself, I could see some folks just opt to buy this higher-priced model so the upgrade is done for them. Buy.com shows the device as temporarily out-of-stock with no ETA on an availability date.(via Origami Project)
Several folks have asked me directly how using my EV-DO modem affects the battery life on my Samsung Q1 Ultra Premium. I’ve been hopping around with the device for a few weeks now and although I haven’t done any scientific benchmarking, I can share some information. I’ve found the overall battery life to be excellent, but of course the Q1UP comes standard with a 6-cell extended battery. I also have a fully-charged spare with me and based on my short usage history, I’m still convinced I could work all day. Ten to twelve hours isn’t a stretch with this setup.
Nope, not my Q1UP; integrated WWAN connectivity is not conducive to my lifestyle because I use multiple machines on a daily basis. Stephen cracked open his Q1UP and saw the same thing I did when I opened mine for the 2 GB RAM upgrade: an open and easily accessible mini-PCI Express interface and a SIM card slot. You don’t need to remove the top motherboard to get at these; just crack carefully open your device and you’ll see both. He popped in an active SIM and Sierra Wireless HSDPA card and is now rockin’ and rollin’ with speeds around 1.8 Mbps down and 350 kbps back up.Even if you’re not interested in this particular upgrade, I recommend his story regardless. He shares his thoughts on the device’s performance and the overall experience, which he can compare to the Q1 Ultra that he owned prior. Much of what he says echoes my own experiences so far, which are very positive.
Chris, one of our readers, has also taken the plunge with a new Samsung Q1 Ultra Premium and we’ve been conversing via e-mail the past week or so. He’s got his 2 GB RAM upgrade done and is trying to get everything working under Vista. I intend to do a high-level, step-by-step post for the upgrade (which is actually not too bad) and I thought to share some info that I just shared with Chris; hopefully it helps those who follow the same path.
Hardware-wise, I’ve got everything working under Vista: WiFi, Bluetooth, hardware buttons, cameras, and the fingerprint reader. The reader was the most challenging but the solution to it offers a good insight for solving other Samsung-specific issues under Vista for the Q1UP.
The Samsung software disk includes all of the drivers and applications you need for these hardware bits to work. Unfortunately, you can’t run the main install program to pick and choose what apps and drivers you want installed because the menu app isn’t supported in Vista. If you Explore the disk however, you’ll find bunches of subfolders that are tagged with alpha-numeric combinations. Inside each of these is the installation contents for a driver or a piece of software. There’s a text file in each that describes what the contents are, so yes, I’ve been through all of them. That’s where I found the OmniPass software: in folder BA46-0512A… right where I expected it, of course. These folders are a good start to finding the Q1UP-specific files you need, so don’t be afraid to nose around in the file system of the disk.
© 2009 The GigaOM Network. Marketing consulting by ACS.
