Other specs include either 512MB of 1GB of RAM, and 8GB or 16GB of SSD storage.  The touchscreen runs at 1024 x 600 resolution and the round pad to the right of it is a circular touchpad.  OS is either Linux or Windows XP Home, and – in Korea, at least – the M1 will have an optional TV tuner.

Still unclear is pricing and availability.  According to AVING, Wibrain are announcing “the development” of the M1 in the Korean market; that, to my jaded eyes, looks like a cry of “we’re still alive, don’t forget about us while we struggle to get our MID onto the market before the ARM-based rivals gobble it all up.” 

[via UMPC Tips]

While full details are relatively scarce, piecing together what EKING suggest and what Wibrain previously revealed would indicate that the M1 has 1GB of RAM and an unspecified amount of solid-state storage.  It measures 7.6 x 3.2 x 1.1 inches and weighs in at 1.2 pounds.

Other specs include a 1.3-megapixel webcam and a broad choice of input methods that includes not only the touchscreen but a touchpad, full QWERTY keyboard and mouse, as well as handwriting recognition.  No pricing or availability details have been suggested.

The demo model is coming from importer Mobilx, who still have it listed for delivery starting February 20th 2009.  However with no stock apparently on hand, aside from review samples, it remains to be seen if the UMPC will actually make it to buyers.  One possibility is that WiBrain themselves have clamped down on information in preparation for a CES 2009 announcement.

Steve’s promising a live session with the I1 today, Wednesday 17th, at 20:00 CET.  That will either be your chance to scope out what could be your next UMPC, or a final swan-song for an almost-contender.

Previously the site had details of the company’s earlier B1 UMPCs – now no longer available from importer Mobilix - but it currently brings up a 403 “Page Forbidden” error.  It’s possible that the site is being redesigned with the new device in mind, but given the I1′s track record it looks increasingly likely that the company has shut its doors.

Mobilix has the WiBrain I1 listed for pre-order – in both HSDPA and non-3G versions – with estimated delivery from February 20th 2009.  It’s unclear when that was added to the site, nor how accurate those dates are.

[via UMPC Portal]

The I1 is a 500g package containing 3G cellular broadband, a touchscreen and split-layout QWERTY keyboard, together with optional SSD and 6.5hrs runtime from the standard battery.  It was set to go on sale for around 467 Euros ($600; pre-tax) without 3G and 532 Euros ($712; pre-tax) with the 3G module.

It’s unclear at present whether this is an issue with the I1 UMPC itself, WiBrain or their parent company NeoSolar.  It’s possible that the I1 has been shelved to concentrate on developing a lower-cost alternative, to take on the growing netbook (or netslate) market.

Elsewhere, movement in the netbook and ultraportable segments showed once again that niche has the edge over mainstream notebooks, at least when it comes to interest.  ASUS announced their N20a 12-inch ultraportable amid rumors of a ZX-series of 12-inch “grown up Eee PC” notebooks, while WiBrain’s I1 UMPC put a less-than-pretty face on some serious battery life.  Meanwhile, we reviewed the Sony VAIO TT, more than four grands’ worth of Blu-ray and SSD-toting beauty.

In gaming, Nintendo’s DSi made a huge splash in Japan with just about every one of the 200,000 consoles the company had prepared for launch-weekend selling.  Since everyone else will have to wait until Summer next year to get their hands on the DSi, we attempted to distract ourselves with a preview of the soon-to-released Microsoft New Xbox Experience for the 360, followed by a review of Gateway’s FX6800-01e gaming PC, one of the first machines to use the Intel Core i7 “Nehalem” processor.

Apple was no stranger in the headlines this week, for better and for worse.  In the former category comes confirmation from AT&T’s CEO that an official iPhone tethering solution will be offered soon, together with word from Apple themselves that customers hoping for a new Mac mini should “be patient”.  It won’t be this year, though, as the company is insisting their holiday line-up is complete.  In the more worrying category is news that some new MacBook owners are experiencing issues with their trackpad missing clicks; it’s hoped a software update will address the problem.

Still, Apple are sitting pretty in the financial stakes, which is more than you can say about NVIDIA and Sprint.  Both companies released their Q3 2008 financial reports this week, and both had little to crow about. 

In other reviews, we took a quick look at the AT&T QuickFire, unboxed the Microsoft Zune 120GB Gears of War 2 Special Edition, and enjoyed some serious playtime with WowWee’s Rovio WiFi-enabled webcam.  In fact, we had just enough time left over to make some holiday gift suggestions to TopTechGifts: if you’re stumped for some present ideas, make sure to check out their list.

WiBrain’s own claim is 7hrs using the standard battery pack; considering that the I1 weighs just 500g, even if the actual battery falls a little short of that, it’s still an impressive mobility option.  The I1 is based around a 1.3GHz Intel Atom processor with Windows XP and, in this particular model’s case, a 60GB hard-drive.

I’m still unconvinced about the design – loading a blunderbuss with buttons and firing them at a shoebox would likely have the same aesthetic outcome – but you can’t argue with that level of runtime.  Nor can you sniff too much at the price, which is believed to be around 467 Euros ($600; pre-tax) without 3G and 532 Euros ($712; pre-tax) with the 3G module.

Other improvements include an SD slot and a range of case colors.  The I1 will be available in Windows XP and Linux versions, with Wibrain apparently aiming to bring it in at the same 500g weight as the B1.  They’re also claiming to provide battery life for up to 6hrs of browsing, though it’s currently uncertain as to whether that’s with the standard 30W pack or the extended battery that has double the capacity.

The I1 will be available in October 2008, in multiple locations; official release the US has been confirmed.  Pricing for the B1 currently sits at around $499 from importers, but it was closer to $700 when first released; there’s no word on how much the I1 will cost.

If you’re interested in the usability of the Wibrain split-keyboard design you can see our video of the B1, shot at CES 2008, here.

[via UMPCPortal]