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One of the most exciting trends in mobile computing today is the new round of Ultra Mobile Personal Computers (UMPC) and micro PCs introduced by the likes of Sony, Samsung, HTC, Tatung and Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen's start up FlipStart Labs. Today, OQO used the start of the CTIA Wireless show in Orlando to started shipping the first of these to run on Windows Vista, the model 02.

In addition to Microsoft's latest desktop platform, the pocketable computer integrates EV-DO 3G for speedy access to the Internet and e-mail. The comany is partnering with Verizon Wireless the support the model 02's high-speed cellular data capabilities through its EV-DO BroadbandAccess service, which provides average download speeds of 400-700 kilobits per second. Verizon says its EV-DO network is available throughout the country in over 242 major metropolitan areas.

The model O2 follows OQO's last Windows XP handheld, the model 01+. The one-pound, 5.6 x 3.3 x 1.0-inch device is pretty much an across-the-board upgrade over the previous edition. And unlike the model 01+, the model O2 is the company's first handheld-sized PC in a new UMPC Pro category.

OQO says model 02 is up to four times faster than the last version and its display is over six times brighter. The slide-out QWERTY thumb-keyboard is now backlit and TouchScrollers - for horizontal and vertical scrolling - have been added for easier input and navigation.

There's also a bevy of wireless connectivity options integrated into the model O2: Sprint-powered EV-DO 3G cellular, 802.11a/b/g Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP to support wireless stereo headphones.

In addition to a USB 2.0 port, a microphone, 3.5mm audio out headphone jack and line-in connecter, and VGA out, the model O2 includes a HDMI-out multimedia port. HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is designed to replace the maze of cabling used for home entertainment centers with a single connector.

It is built on 1.5 GHz VIA ultramobile processor, 60 GB hard disk drive, and 1GB of RAM. The handheld sports an 800 x 480 pixel 5-inch touch-screen that can be interpolated up to a 1200 x 720 pixel resolution.

The rugged magnesium alloy chassis of the model 02 is a sleeker black now as well.

And there's an optional docking cradle that includes a choice of a dual layer DVD±RW/DVD-RAM or CD±RW/DVD-ROM optical drive, HDMI and Video out, 3 USB ports, 100 Base-T Ethernet, and an audio out / line-in port.

The model 02 starts at $ 1,499. It is available online directly from OQO.