Today Via Technologies, Gigabyte and Chunghwa Telecom, announced a strategic alliance to deliver high speed 3.5G services in Taiwan for ultra mobile devices (UMDs), by connecting Gigabyte’s U60, a small and light Via C7-M processor-based UMD running Microsoft Windows Vista Business, Home Premium or Home Basic or Windows XP, to Chunghwa Telecom’s island-wide HSDPA (High Speed Data Packet Access) network.

“Wallet-sized full PC functionality with multiple connectivity options and the long battery life enabled by the Via C7-M Ultra Mobile Platform makes the GIGABYTE U60 a more powerful and flexible tool than the current generation of smart phones for the mobile business user,” said GIGABYTE Deputy CEO Meng-Ming Ma. “By connecting to Chunghwa Telecom’s broadband wireless network services, users can finally carry a true office-to-go device with them everywhere.”
The Gigabyte U60 is based on the low power drawing Via C7-M ULV x86 mobile processor reaching speeds from 1.0-1.5GHz with a maximum thermal design power (TDP) as low as 3.5 watts, and idle power as little as 0.1 watt, ensuring maximum battery life. This lightweight, 6.5-inch TFT LCD screen device should bridge the gap between notebooks and mobile phones according to Via.