I did some research on that viliv umpc. Never heard of the brand but, based on the few reviews I could find, it appears to be a high quality device with all the bells and whistles (minus windows 7) one could want. It's also worth noting that they have an entire product line that includes everything from a traditional swivel screen tablet to an even smaller umpc. I certainly applaud their ambition... but they clearly need to find more channels to break into here in the states. Obviously easier said than done. Simply having the best of breed isn't always enough.
All that said... comparing an umpc that's running a traditional windows OS (even if it's 'slightly' tweaked) to the iPhone OS on the iPad is similar to comparing any number of Windows Mobile phones to an iPhone. Take the HTC HD2 for example. On paper, it destroys everything... including the iPhone. Why can't it get out of its own way? Various reasons... but one of which is the horrid Windows OS. Hopefully WM7 will improve on 6.5 but for now... that's what you're stuck with. So in the end, for what people need/use it for, the iPhone (complete with its inferior specs) is by far the better option.
I feel this is potentially the case here. In watching some of the viliv's youtube videos, it's obvious these supposed tweaks to the windows OS (motoblur sense style) have done little to make this device truly 'finger friendly'. Everything about the iPhone OS is designed around the average person's finger size. Combined with the resolution and inherent qualities of XP (or even 7) that cannot be said for a device like this. On more than on occasion, I saw the presenter desperately trying to hit the tiny [X] with his pinky. LOL Could he have used a stylus? Sure... but it's easier to use one's finger. That's why capactive touch reigns supreme amongst personal (vs business) users. These are the kinds of little (yet HUGE) things that Apple has realized and incorporated into their OS. This will equal an easier to use device... something that appeals to the masses.
Again... spec wise this thing owns. Very impressive indeed. In fact, if I was in the market for something like this I'd seriously consider it. That's how impressed I was. But the same things that the iPad haters have used to trash that device can be said about this. Some of you have said one who has a laptop/netbook AND iphone/touch already wouldn't need the iPad since it doesn't do anything new. The viliv is more similar to a laptop/netbook than an iPad. When you break it down, it's basically a netbook running windows with touchscreen and no keyboard. The iPad is not a netbook without a keyboard. It's not even an imac/macbook without a keyboard. So it's MUCH less similar to those devices. Since there are still plenty of people without iphones/itouches... this device would represent a dramatically different experience than what they're used to dealing with on their mobile phones. So... in the end, I feel there are enough differences to warrant consideration. Only time will tell.
