HyperSpace quick start software coming to the Eee PC

Phoenix Technologies has signed a deal with Asus to include HyperSpace “instant on” software on new Asus laptops. A Phoenix spokesperson tells me that includes at least some Eee PC netbook models.

HyperSpace is basically a stripped down operating system that boots faster than Windows or a full Linux distro, letting you access some apps like a web browser, VoIP, chat utility or media player without waiting for Windows to boot. I got a chance to check out HyperSpace at CES, and saw that it’s not exactly an instant on environment for netbooks. On a Lenovo IdeaPad S10, which has similar hardware to the Eee PC line of computers, it took more than 10 seconds to boot HyperSpace. Still, I suppose that’s faster than the 40+ seconds it typically takes to boot Windows XP.

There are two versions of HyperSpace. The version that can be used with more powerful laptops allows you to boot Windows in the background while HyperSpace loads, which lets you toggle back and forth betwen the two operating systems. The netbook version only lets you boot into one OS at a time.

HyperSpace is also available for anyone to download and install on their own, but Phoenix charges a yearly fee to use the software after your 21 day free trial is up. It’s not clear whether Asus and other companies that preload HyperSpace on computers will charge customers an additional fee for the software. Update: Kevin at jkOnTheRun has confirmed that HyperSpace will ship on Asus notebooks with a normal subscription plan. In other words, you’ll need to pay $40 a year to use the software on an Eee PC after your 21 day free trial expires.


Posted on Tuesday, January 20th, 2009, 6:49 pm by Brad
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  • BoloMKXXVIII
    I am sure if this becomes popular others will create a free version similar to this.
  • animatio
    just another way to pull the money from the user's pocket .. yearly using fees!!!!
  • Brad: There are two versions of HyperSpace: Hybrid & Dual. Hybrid requires a CPU that supports Intel VT-x hardware virtualization assist. The Atom N270 is most netbooks does not support VT-x. So, you probably saw the HyperSpace Dual version running which is not quite as slick as the Hybrid edition. The Atom Z530 in the high end Dell mini 12 supports VT-x and should be able to run HyperSpace Hybrid. I'm guessing Asus will use the Z530 in newer netbooks. BTW, the lower end Mini 12s use the Z520 which does not support VT-x. I have a brief item about HyperSpace and netbook processors on my MobileAppsToday.com blog at: http://bit.ly/TiN1
  • Personally I don't see the point, do I ever need something in 10 seconds rather than 40!

    Gary
  • Mikez
    Marketing, Spin, and/or Bragging Rights - your choice.

    How else can an additional 30 seconds of boot time added
    to the time the machine has been off ever be significant?

    Medical and life support devices need a short boot time -
    who wants to wait an additional 30 seconds for their
    defibrillator to boot?

    But an end-user, interactive device? Bragging Rights.
  • Harry
    Is there a fundamental reason for the subscription scheme? This is exactly the type of program that would work perfectly in a standalone mode.

    This would probably also have provacy implications, as the software must phone home when it is turned on, to enforce the suscription terms (so its really spyware)

    Like BoloMKXXVIII says, I hope some hacker tests the 21 day version, figures out how it works, and makes an pen source version. We laready have openBIOS and linux, and it should be possible to combine them to make something like HyperSpace, only better.
  • garamond
    As for the usefulness of something like Hyperspace or ExpressGate, I think they do have a place especially on the smallest netbooks, those like my Asus 701 that are likely to be used as a substitute for a PDA. I also have a larger Lenovo S10, but it is the 701 that still gets the most use when I am out and about because of it light-weight and the relatively fast boot time using the original Xandros. I have resisted putting Ubuntu on it so as not to loose that boot time. It often gets used while I am standing in the hallway between classes to check my schedule and last minute email from students. I do a great seal of walking every day and don't want to carry more than one piece of electronics everywhere I go.

    Of course, Hyperspace is not likely to be worth it to me if I am already getting 20-30 second boot times, assuming it would even run on a 701.

    In any case, I will probably wait for an open source version of a fast boot for the Lenovo or whatever netbook I will be using in the future.
  • Fanfoot
    Monthly fees=FAIL
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