The Vadem Clio is a handheld PC released by Vadem in late 1998. The Clio is based on an NEC MIPS VR4111 processor. All models use Windows CE H/PC Pro 3.0 (WinCE Core OS 2.11) as the operating system.[1]: 44 [2]

Vadem Clio model C-1000, 1998

The Clio was rebranded by Sharp as the Mobilon TriPad in 1999.[1][3]: 149  Data Evolution Corporation currently owns the rights to the Clio.[citation needed]

Overview

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The Clio is a convertible tablet computer released by Vadem and designed by Sohela. The platform was conceived of and created within Vadem by a skunkworks team led by Edmond Ku. Clio was first developed without the knowledge of Microsoft, and after it was presented to Bill Gates and the CE team, it led to the definition of the Jupiter-class CE platform.[citation needed]

The Clio's "SwingTop" has a pivoting arm with a 180-degree screen rotation. The Clio could run for 12 hours on a single charge. It is measured to be around an inch (2.2 cm) thick.

Handwriting software was from Vadem's ParaGraph group (acquired from SGI), the same team that provided handwriting recognition technology used in the Apple Newton.[citation needed]

Design

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The swing arm and rotating screen concept was conceived by Edmond Ku, Vadem's engineering director. The physical design was the creation of frogdesign, Inc.'s industrial designers Sonia Schieffer and Josh Morenstein and mechanical engineers Richard Huang and Jenny Schlee.

The enclosure was made from plastic injection-molded carbon fiber-reinforced polyamide (nylon). The swing arm was die-cast aluminium for stiffness and strength. The video signals relied on a double-sided flex circuit that routed from the base up through the arm to the display panel.

Specifications

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C-1000

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  • Processor: NEC VR4111 (MIPS R4000-compatible) 84 MHz
  • ROM: 24 MiB (upgradable)
  • SDRAM: 16 MiB (upgradable to 32)
  • Display: 9.4" 640 × 480 DSTN, 256 colors, touch panel
  • Software screen Rotation: None
  • Contrast and Brightness Settings: Yes
  • Keyboard: 63 Key, US English—16.5 mm center-to-center
  • Battery: 12-hour lithium ion rechargeable battery pack
  • Power Supply: 120 volt
  • Ports:
  • Modem: 33.6 kbit/s Lucent
  • IrDA support: SIR and FIR
  • Speaker
  • Microphone
  • Size/Physical Dimensions: 8.75 in × 11.25 in × 1 in
  • Weight: 3 lb., 5 oz. (Includes batteries and AC adapter)

C-1050

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  • Processor: NEC VR4121 (MIPS R4000-compatible) 168 MHz
  • ROM: 24 MiB (upgradable)
  • SDRAM: 32 MiB
  • Display: 9.4" 640 × 480 DSTN, 65,000 colors, touch panel
  • Screen Rotation: 0–180° (90° and 270° screen orientation supported)
  • Contrast and Brightness Settings: Yes
  • Keyboard: 63 Key, US English—16.5 mm center-to-center
  • Battery: 10 hour lithium ion rechargeable battery pack
  • Power Supply: 120 volt
  • Ports:
  • Modem: 56 kbit/s V.90 Lucent
  • IrDA support: SIR and FIR
  • Speaker
  • Microphone
  • Size/Physical Dimensions: 8.75 in × 11.25 in × 1 in
  • Weight: 3 lb., 5 oz. (Includes batteries and AC adapter)

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Brown, Bruce (December 1, 1998). "Windows CE, Round 3". PC Magazine. 17 (21). Ziff-Davis: 41–48 – via Google Books.
  2. ^ Biggs, Maggie (November 9, 1998). "Lag in apps holds back sexy Clio". InfoWorld. 20 (45). IDG Publications: 119 – via Google Books.
  3. ^ Brown, Bruce (August 1999). "Hand-Held PCs". PC Magazine. 18 (14). Ziff-Davis: 148–151.
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