February 8, 2007 – THE ultra-mobile PC (UMPC) selected by TranStar Communications as the basis of a new handheld IFE and communications device enjoyed a successful launch at last month’s CES show in Las Vegas, according to developer Seamless Internet. 

New York-based Seamless says it has upped first-quarter production of the new S-XGen from 3,000 to 10,000 as a result of the interest generated by the device’s appearance at CES, where it was the subject of over a thousand product demonstrations resulting in 130 articles, reports and reviews reaching 37 million potential buyers.

As a result of CES feedback Seamless has made several changes to the product. It has also added a card-swipe capability that combines with its cellular, WiFi and Bluetooth communications so it can be used as a mobile payment terminal. The company says that as a result it has received a 1,000-unit order from US electronic payment systems specialist 1st Federal Financial.

Seamless has also signed its first international distributor for S-XGen. “Of all the similar products I saw at CES the S-XGen was the most interesting technology integration,” says Chaim Heitner of Israeli company Dr Sound. “It combines ultra-portability, an almost full-size keyboard and all the communications, productivity and entertainment features needed to enable one to leave the old laptop and cellphone at home.”

The device could also emerge this year as an inflight offering from TranStar Communications, the company founded last year by IFE pioneer Dick Bertagna. TranStar has ordered 100 S-XGens and plans to market them to aviation customers.

S-XGen is essentially a robust portable computer running the Microsoft Office Mobile Suite on the Windows CE operating system. Driving its design is the objective of a computing and communications tool in a package much smaller than a laptop but still offering a fully workable keyboard.

The device measures only 7in x 4in x 1in, weighs 14oz and has a 20Gb hard drive and an eight-hour battery. It is designed to combine standard business PC capabilities with tri-band cellular, WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, entertainment functions, a 4in high-definition touchscreen and a fold-out mid-sized keyboard. Seamless Internet emphasises the device’s long battery life by comparison with laptop PCs, and the practicality of its keyboard.

Last year Dick Bertagna said he saw S-XGen being used to provide inflight connectivity via Inmarsat’s SwiftBroadband, the proposed Panasonic satellite broadband service, and the North American terrestrial system that AirCell is due to introduce at the beginning of next year.

It is also expected to be compatible with the initially GSM-based offerings of AeroMobile and OnAir, due to enter service in the coming months. “We aim to give passengers one of the most advanced and versatile communications and entertainment devices yet introduced, with a richer feature set than anything else on the market,” Bertagna said.