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Gaming and the UMPC
A UMPC or ultra mobile personal computer is the technology lover’s dream: an exceptionally mobile, conveniently small, electronic device that you can take anywhere and do almost anything with. With features including internet access, connectivity and full PC capabilities, a UMPC enables you to browse the internet, send business and personal emails, blog, chat, watch the news, check the shopping specials, download shows and music and do a host of other electronic things.
Most importantly for those with an eye to entertainment, a UMPC opens the door to the wonderful world of mobile gaming.
As its name implies, the UMPC is as mobile as the busiest lifestyle. In addition to its versatility, its great success is in its size, making it a companion you can take wherever you go. Screen sizes can be as small as five inches (twelve and a half centimetres) to seven inches (seventeen and a half centimetres) with a minimum 800 x 480 resolution. You can choose between a touch screen, stylus, on-screen keyboard or hardware controls to enjoy such experiences as instant gaming, messaging, obtaining information or organising your work life while still being out and about.
Developed jointly by a number of organisations including Microsoft, Intel and Samsung, UMPCs offer the full functionality of Windows Vista, a line of graphical operating systems which is the latest Microsoft Windows release. With its exciting functions, along with all your preferred accessories and applications, you can make the most of your UMPC to enjoy anything from the convenience of keeping in touch with the office when you’re travelling to the relaxation of mobile gaming, at any time or place. A useful site for learning the latest about UMPCs and their uses, seeing a demonstration of what they can do for you and finding other helpful sites is http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/umpc/default.mspx
The mobile gaming story
Mobile gaming had its beginnings in the 1980s with Nintendo’s line of electronic hand-held games known as the Game & Watch series. Characters such as Mario and Donkey Kong became classics of the series, while the novel, pocket-sized nature of the devices on which the games were played was a major reason for the popularity of this new pastime. The installation of games on mobile phones developed during the 1990s and by 2001 the ability to download games onto mobile devices added even more interest to mobile gaming, which has now attained the sophisticated levels of the types of gaming available on ultra mobile PCs (UMPCs).
In February 2006 Microsoft and Samsung launched Project Origami as the lead-up to the release of the world’s first UMPC, the Samsung Q1. Now available from a variety of major manufacturers around the world, a UMPC brings a whole new dimension to the entertainment available through mobile gaming and the quality associated features. Through Windows Vista and the Origami Experience Pack you have access to a great range of games which you can play using full screen display, large buttons, personalised icons and touch capability, all combining to make mobile gaming so much easier and so much more fun for you. Thanks to the UMPC your favourite games will be at your fingertips wherever you go to provide ongoing entertainment or a welcome break between the business decisions and messaging that your UMPC also makes possible when you are on the move. For information and discussion about UMPCs and a list of enthusiast sites publishing information about UMPCs visit http://pencomputing.com/features/umpc_update.html
Gaming on the move
With Windows Vista installed on your UMPC, mobile gaming has never been so good. The most recent and most graphically advanced games are at your fingertips. Both quality and quantity are features of the gaming available to you through a UMPC thanks to the wide selection of games on offer and the advanced graphics available, especially when you team Windows Vista with DirectX10. The latest version of the DirectX suite of multimedia application programming interfaces, DirectX10 brings enhanced 3-D graphics to your UMPC screen, improving its multimedia and in-game performance.
User-friendly as well as comprehensive, Windows Vista includes Games Explorer on its Start menu, making your mobile gaming even more enjoyable by ensuring it is easier than ever for you to find the games you want to play. It is also easy through Games Explorer to access software and hardware games-related settings. As well as the games included with Windows, the choice of other compatible games, available either free or for purchase, is virtually unlimited. Whether your fancy is for word or puzzle games, sports, card games, adventure or simulation games, you’ll find something to suit you. A visit to www.windowsgaming.com will bring you up to date with news and information about the various products that you can use with your UMPC for a superior mobile gaming experience.
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