Andrew Popell, Founder Jory Bell, Founder Jonathan Betts-LaCroix, Founder Nick Merz, Founder Robert Ford, Founder Michael Prichard, Founder Bob Rosin, SVP
OQO was a U.S. computer hardware company that was notable for manufacture of handheld computers. Its systems possessed the functionality of a tablet PC in a size slightly larger than a personal digital assistant (PDA). According to Guinness World Records, the "OQO" was the smallest full-powered, full-featured personal computer in 2005.[1] The company's first version of subnotebook computer was the OQO model 01. It had been compared with the Ultra Mobile PC platform, although it was introduced before the UMPC took flight. The company was founded in 2000.[2]
OQO was reported to have stopped production in April 2009.[3][4][5] The company confirmed that it had ceased operations in May 2009 because of financial difficulties.[6]
OQO Model 01
OQO Model 01
The original OQO model 01 was announced several years before prototypes were even seen, leading many people to call it vaporware until it was finally released in Q3 of 2004. The computer shipped with Windows XP installed (Home Edition or Professional, but the Tablet PC Edition was not available until the model 01+ was released) and featured a 1 GHzTransmeta Crusoe processor, 20 GBhard drive, and 256 MB of RAM. It included USB 1.1, FireWire 400, a headphone port, and a built-in microphone, integrated 802.11b wireless radio, as well as Bluetooth. The OQO used a Wacom electromagnetic induction-type pen stylus with a magnetic field sensitive 800x480 resolution transflective screen. Retail shipments began on October 14, 2004. Its size was 4.9in ×3.4in ×0.9in (12.4cm ×8.6cm ×2.3cm) and it weighed 0.9 pounds (410g).[7]
OQO Model 01+
The OQO model 01+ was announced and released on September 27, 2005. Representing an incremental update to the model 01, the model 01+ featured a larger 30GB hard drive, 512MB of RAM, USB 2.0, and an internal speaker. It also added support for portrait display mode. It also had a redesigned screen bezel intended to improve the accuracy of its Wacom-enabled display by increasing the space between the bezel and edge of the display.
Originally it was only available running Windows XP Home or Pro editions. A version with Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005 was introduced on January 4, 2006, taking advantage of handwriting recognition and improved navigation.
OQO Model 02
OQO Model 02OQO Model 02 with docking station
The OQO model 02 was introduced by Bill Gates in January 2007 at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. It weighed 1 pound (450g) and was small enough to fit in a pocket; at the time it was the world's smallest fully-functional Windows Vista PC.
Like its predecessor, the model 02 was a handheld device that ran Windows (XP Professional or Vista Business.) It featured a new black casing and a backlit keyboard, a brighter 5inch LCD screen, and 800×480 pixel display with an active digitizer for pen-based input.
Several models were introduced at the time with VIA C7-M ULV processors (1.2GHz, or 1.5GHz, 1.6GHz option being introduced in September) and choice of 512MB or 1GB of RAM. 32GB solid-state drive (SSD) or standard hard drives from 40 to 120GB were available[8]. Also included were Bluetooth 2.0, 802.11a/b/g WiFi, USB 2.0, a 3.5mm x 1 line-out/line-in audio jack and an HDMI-out port. The model 02 also offered optional integrated EV-DOmobile broadband with choice of Verizon or Sprint as service provider.
The model 02 also had the ability to zoom to 800× and 800×interpolated modes, horizontal/vertical screen rotation, and a sensor that automatically protected the hard drive in case of a drop. Accessories included a docking station (with a DVD+-RW drive, HDMI and VGA video out, three USB 2.0 ports, and a 3.5mm audio jack), an extended battery lasting up to six hours, and choice of a soft leatherette "executive" case or durable aluminum "stronghold" case.
OQO in September 2007 announced the availability of the model e2 with embedded HSDPA mobile broadband capability, providing customers in Europe and Asia with widely available high-speed Internet connectivity.
The OQO model e2 with embedded HSDPA was designed specifically to meet international demand for anytime/anywhere computing with Internet access and networked PC applications in a pocketable and ergonomic design. It supported "open SIM" HSDPA (3.5G) as well as UMTS, EDGE, and GPRS.
It supported data access through UMTS/HSDPA at 2100MHz, and was downward compatible with GPRS/EDGE networks at 900MHz and 1800MHz. Download speeds of up to 3.6Mbit/s were supported.
The product was available SIM-free and network unlocked, allowing customers flexibility in selecting their preferred wireless operator and data plan. Users had a choice of tri-band wide-area wireless, WiFi 802.11a/b/g and Bluetooth 2.0.
The model 02 and model e2 came with a VIA C7-M ULV processor (1.6GHz, 1.5GHz, or 1.2GHz), up to 1GB of RAM, up to a 120GB hard drive, with the option of a 32GB or 64GB solid-state drive, Bluetooth 2.0 (with enhanced data rate), tri-mode WiFi (802.11a/b/g) and optional 3G mobile broadband (EV-DO in the US, UMTS/HSDPA internationally).
OQO Model 2+
The Atom-based "model 2+" was unveiled at the Intel Developer Forum in San Francisco labeled as "OQO MID" as a "technology demonstration."[9] The model 2+ was formally announced at CES 2009, and was available with a 1.33GHz or 1.86GHz Intel Atom processor, 2GB RAM, Qualcomm Gobi global wireless internet, touchscreen, and was the first PC to feature an active matrixOLED display.[10]
The projected shipping date was around May 22, 2009, but the product never shipped. OQO ceased production because of financial difficulties.[11]
Bankruptcy
The company confirmed that it had ceased operations in May 2009 because of financial difficulties.[6] In April 2009, OQO started returning unrepaired in-warranty devices. In addition, the company stated that it would no longer offer any repair or service support, although third-party warranties remained in effect.
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