FlipStart is “Repositioning”

According to UMPCPortal, FlipStart is repositioning itself and exiting the UMPC/sub-notebook market. The Vulcan FlipStart 1.0 will not have a follow-on device. This after the Vulcan’s product page directed you to visit another site for batteries and accessories.

I’m not surprised given how rapidly the market changed when the “netbooks” took off. When the Vulcan had no competition other than the OQO Model 02, it could get by with its higher price-point. Once the netbooks took off, plus the Fujitsu LifeBook U810, even with the price drop, it probably wasn’t enough. It was a good idea (well some of the design choices were a little odd - thumb-based input, etc.) when it had little competition, and it should be given some credit for helping open people’s eyes to the size of these devices.

Read: UMPCPortal.com
Thanks to Tim for sending this in.

Vulcan FlipStart 1.0 - Gone?

Engadget is reporting on something rather interesting concerning the 5.6-inch ultra low voltage Vulcan FlipStart (or Vulcan FlipStart 1.0 as they were calling it). Not much has been heard out of this company since the influx of ultraportable and ultra-cheap “netbooks or “subnotebooks” that flooded the market since the beginning of the year. These devices would have heavily impacted the FlipStart - originally it was slated to sell for upwards of $1500 - $1999 and by January of 2008 had dropped to $600.

Now when you visit the product page, you are greeted with a rather interesting message that implies they aren’t going to be produced anymore (at least the 1.0 version):

The stock of FlipStart has been sold out.

FlipStart accessories such as batteries, power supplies, cases etc. can be purchased through Dynamism at Dynamism.com .

Via Engadget

Review: Vulcan FlipStart (pocketables.net)

Jenn Lee at