There was a time when 2-in-1 hardware seemed like it could be a passing fad, but the array of hybrid devices on show at IFA 2016 suggest that this is not the case. The Netherlands’ Ockel is attempting to stand out from the crowd with the Sirius A, which is being billed as the “missing link” between a fully fledged Windows 10 desktop and a smartphone.
The Sirius A is the size of a large smartphone, and boasts a 6-inch full HD touchscreen and a battery capable of powering the device while users are on the move. The portable nature of the device was a top priority for Ockel, but the manufacturer wanted to make sure that it didn’t force any other compromises.
To that end, the architecture of the Sirius A is closer to a traditional desktop, rather than a smartphone or a tablet. This means that the device can run all x86 compatible Windows programs — despite its physical design, it’s a bona fide PC, for all intents and purposes.
The system is also outfitted with a wide range of connectivity options, something that Ockel identified as a deficiency for many smartphones, tablets, and hybrids. The Sirius A features two USB ports, HDMI, DisplayPort, a MicroSD card slot and a LAN port.
“We want to give users a real desktop experience, with the benefits of a mobile device,” said Tim Haaksma, the founder of Ockel. “We see the desktop and mobile market growing toward each other. The Ockel Sirius A is a one-of a-kind blend of desktop and mobile.”
In 2015, a hugely successful crowdfunding campaign facilitated the development and release of Ockel’s first two products, the Sirius B and its Black Cherry variant. The company has since inked an exclusive partnership agreement with Indiegogo, which will underpin the upcoming campaign for the Sirius A.
Ockel hopes to raise $250,000 over the course of the campaign, which will get underway in September.
