Toshiba’s mystery UMPC-like device

Hugo Ortega needs to get a life- he just keeps digging and digging and generally running amuck in the Tabletscape. This time he noticed in the April issue of APC Magazine, an Aussie publication, an interview with Matt Codrington who is Toshiba Australia's Product Marketing Manager. In the APC article Mr. Codrington alludes to a device that Toshiba is working on that "…it will have Tablet PC functionality…" and "…to use something that's smaller than a 7 inch screen all day every day is difficult…" and "…the screen may support pen entry, but I wouldn't want to niche it into the current category of Tablet PC…"

You have to bear in mind that this interview likely took place months before it appeared in this issue of APC Magazine. I have authored a number of magazine articles and the lead time from submission to publication is measured in dog-weeks. This would put this interview weeks before the first hype around Origami/ UMPC so the Toshiba rep may have thought he was being cagey enough to avoid spilling the beans. Taken with all we know today, however, and it sure sounds like Toshiba is working on a very UMPC-like device. If this is true it would be great for the UMPC market as many comments have been made all over the web that it will take a major OEM to validate the genre. We will all keep our eyes and ears open for any further hints from Toshiba. BTW, the APC Magazine is not available online so if anyone who has this issue in hand can add some commentary that would be great.