News Week of October 15, 2006

The Walletino - a UMPC for ladies

 lady I work with uses a Tablet PC to interview and assess clients; it means has all the forms she might possibly need on-hand, without carrying a massive file around.  I’m not sure what she’d say to me if I suggested she store her keys and make-up in it - probably ask me if I was trying to make some sort of filthy PC-Card innuendo - but hopefully she’d understand if I showed her UML’s purse-style UMPC concept, The Walletino.

Gateway M285-E Review

The good: Thanks to a Core 2 Duo processor, you get tablet features without sacrificing regular laptop performance; responsive screen and stylus; available with long-lasting 12-cell battery.

The bad: Too big and heavy for some tablet users; stylus requires recalibration when flipping screen orientation; low-res screen.

The bottom line: Gateway's M285-E convertible tablet can easily serve double duty as your main PC, but its size and weight makes it hard to use as a full-time tablet.   (Source: Dan Ackerman, CNet)

Quanta's Intel/Yahoo UMPC prototype on display at IDF

The ultramobile PC is Quanta's first. It will be the second Taiwanese company to enter the market, following the launch of Asustek's R2H last month.

Quanta's new UMPC runs Yahoo's Go for ultramobiles, a joint software effort with Intel designed to deliver digital entertainment on devices that use Intel Viiv technology, including Go TV, and Yahoo photos, music, and other content. Intel did not say which specific functions the ultramobile PC version of Go includes.

The device runs on Microsoft's Windows XP Tablet Edition OS.

  (Source: Digital World Tokyo)

Study Reveals an IT Makeover of a Small Healthcare Clinic Can Generate Big Returns

Intel, HP, IntelliClear, and a Host of Partners Combine to Demonstrate Financial Returns in Less Than Three Months

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO -- (MARKET WIRE) -- October 18, 2006 -- IntelliClear today announced the publication of a case study outlining the results of an IT makeover of a small healthcare clinic in rural Indiana, revealing significant financial returns in less than three months. The makeover was sponsored by Intel Corporation and Hewlett-Packard (HP), in partnership with Allscripts, Bradford-Scott Data Corporation, and Microsoft, with IntelliClear playing a prominent role in managing a number of the project's activities. The case study is immediately available from the IntelliClear website at www.intelliclear.com.

Community Medical Center (CMC), a small family-medicine clinic of 11 employees, including one physician and nurse practitioner in Shipshewana, Indiana, was the recipient of the IT makeover. The makeover included HP Compaq tablet PCs with Intel® Centrino® mobile technology, Intel powered, HP Compaq Ultra-slim Desktop PCs with flat-panel monitors, a wireless network using LinkSys wireless access points, HP printers and scanners, and Allscript's Impact.MD -- a medical-document imaging and workflow solution. The average age of CMC personnel is 56 years old, prompting CMC office manager Larry Kilgore to claim, "If we can do it, anyone can do it."

"This makeover points to significant short and long term financial and operational benefits that can come as a result of installing incremental hardware and software at a small healthcare clinic," says Eric Shuster, President and CEO of IntelliClear. "With a willing staff, supportive management, first-rate and appropriate IT solutions, a phased implementation, and an experienced local service provider, we believe this same result can be replicated at other healthcare settings with excellent results," says Shuster.

Among the benefits identified at CMC in less than three months of operation were the elimination of PC usage wait times, reduced patient wait time and employee overtime, increased patient through-put efficiency, increased patient scheduling flexibility, reduced office clutter, and increased employee morale. The reductions in the cycle time required to treat each patient will soon enable CMC to see more patients, increase revenue, and make more time available for personal consultation. IntelliClear projects the annualized return on investment (ROI) to be less than two years.

IntelliClear was commissioned by Intel and HP to identify the makeover candidate; record the before-and-after operational metrics; design the IT infrastructure; coordinate vendor installation; and develop the final case study. Those interested are encouraged to read the case study for more details on the makeover and its potential applicability to other small healthcare clinics.   (Source: Press Release)

New ultraportable PC offers Yahoo Go

The world's largest contract laptop PC maker is branching out into UMPCs (ultramobile PCs), using a reference design from Intel and internet software from Yahoo.

Intel executives showed off the UMPC made by Quanta Computer today at the Intel Developer Forum in Taipei. The new device is a sign that Intel and other backers of the UMPC design are gaining further support from hardware makers, which will increase the variety of devices available as well as their functions. More UMPC contenders should also help drive down prices through market competition. (Source: Dan Nystedt, PC Advisor
Posted Tuesday, October 17, 2006 by ChrisD
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Can mobile IT break the ties that bind?

Consider a daily newspaper. Once upon a time anyone could read it on the bus, in the kitchen or on a park bench, and then fold it up and tuck it under an arm before striding off. Today, the chances are that half of you read your news online, or in an electronic form stuck in front of a computer.

The more mobile-savvy readers can demonstrate how to go blind by scrolling microscopic text on a 2in smartphone screen, while frantically trying to skip Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture on their OhMiBod.

So we’re stuck in technological limbo between what’s digital and what’s portable, while developers and users struggle to make practical sense of it all. A visitor to my personal blog spoke up to praise his Tablet PC as an e-reader for The New York Times, yet the only Tablet PC advantages I can see are in being able to view the newspaper’s pages in portrait orientation and use the stylus to fill in the crossword.  (Source: Alistair Dabbs, Computing.co.uk)

Panasonic Introduces Next Generation Toughbook® Rugged Computers Featuring Embedded 3G Wireless and World’s Brightest Notebook Screens

Fully rugged notebook and tablet PC include powerful processors, new security features, and daylight-readable displays crucial for mission-critical and field-mobile applications

Smart Multimedia Gallery

The Panasonic Toughbook, CF-30 clamshell notebook, which was launched today, is constructed of magnesium alloy and includes shock-mounted screens and hard drives. With battery life of approximately 6 hours, this unit is certified to the MIL-STD-810F standard, tested to withstand drops, shocks, vibration and extremes in temperature.

The Panasonic Toughbook CF-19 convertible tablet PC, which was introduced today, is constructed of magnesium alloy and includes shock-mounted screens and hard drives. With battery life of approximately 6 hours, these units are certified to the MIL-STD-810F standard, tested to withstand drops, shocks, vibration and extremes in temperature.

SECAUCUS, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Panasonic Computer Solutions Company, the leading provider of durable, reliable wireless mobile PCs, today introduced two new rugged Panasonic® Toughbook® computers: The CF-19 convertible tablet PC, and the flagship CF-30 clamshell notebook.

Building on the success of the CF-18 tablet and CF-29 notebook, these new Toughbooks come equipped with Intel Core Duo processors, additional security features, and optional embedded access to next-generation wireless data networks from all major cellular wireless carriers. In addition, these MIL-SPEC-certified notebooks incorporate daylight-readable screens and the rugged features—such as magnesium alloy cases, sealed keyboards and ports, flexible internal connectors and shock-mounting—that ultimately deliver the highest levels of reliability in the industry.

Panasonic is delivering the brightest displays available today, without compromising battery life. The CF-19 features a bright 550 Nit (candelas per square meter, a measure of brightness) screen with a new low-reflection coating and the CF-30 boasts an industry-leading 1,000 Nit LCD, delivering the brightness of a fixed mount display in a portable computer. The CF-30 is the first mobile notebook to achieve this milestone in screen brightness that is critical for law enforcement, first responders, members of the armed forces, field service technicians and mobile workers in all industries who are required to use computers in direct sunlight.

The new CF-19 and CF-30 Toughbook® computers also feature backwards compatibility with existing vehicle mount solutions for previous generation Toughbooks (the CF-18 and CF-29), protecting the investments of existing Toughbook owners and easing their upgrade process.

“These next generation Toughbooks are the result of close collaboration between our R&D labs, engineering teams, Panasonic component divisions and, most importantly, our customers, who depend upon us to meet the needs of their business by supplying mobile devices they can rely on and trust,” said Rance Poehler, president, Panasonic Computer Solutions Company. “Our Customers have asked us for brighter displays that can be used in any environment. Delivering a 1,000 NIT screen is a major accomplishment for Panasonic’s engineers, who are unparalleled in their ability to strike a balance between form and function in rugged devices. This is clearly the brightest LCD in any battery powered computer in the Industry today and another first for Panasonic.”

Added Poehler, “We will continue to push ourselves to deliver increased CPU power, integration of next-generation wireless, security enhancements and ever-increasing battery life to meet the needs of users in extreme environments—from war fighters to field technicians.”

Rugged, Reliable, Wireless

Both the CF-30 notebook PC and CF-19 convertible tablet are constructed of magnesium alloy and include shock-mounted screens and hard drives. With battery life of approximately 6 hours, these units are certified to the MIL-STD-810F standard, tested to withstand drops, shocks, vibration and extremes in temperature. In addition, they are sealed and rated at IP54 (ingress protection) level for water and dust resistance. Other certifications, such as UL1604 Class 1 / Div. 2, help ensure that these units perform safely and reliably in tough conditions. Touch screens allow for ease of use in vehicle-mounted environments and with applications commonly used in field environments. Multiple wireless options—WLAN, WWAN, GPS and Bluetooth—ensure that users stay connected and easily located.

“Any organization whose mobile workers need to access or transmit information in mission-critical or field environments should strongly consider deploying rugged mobile computers,” said David Krebs, analyst, Venture Development Corporation. “Devices such as Panasonic Toughbooks are engineered to be reliable and maintain connectivity. Our research indicates that in many user environments the total cost of ownership of a rugged mobile computer is actually substantially lower than that of a non-rugged or commercial-grade computer.”

Leadership in Wireless Integration

Panasonic is an established leader in the integration of next generation wireless solutions and the only manufacturer to offer a complete portfolio of wireless computing devices, from rugged to semi-rugged and business-rugged computers. The new CF-19 and CF-30 rugged Toughbook® models incorporate a “wireless-ready” design that allows users to purchase, or upgrade to, embedded access to next-generation data networks from all major wireless carriers. The notebooks will ship with optional integrated radio modems to access UMTS/HSDPA-based solutions from Cingular Wireless and the EV-DO networks of Sprint or Verizon. Also, thanks to improvements in global positioning system (GPS) technology, the CF-19 and CF-30 feature significantly improved GPS accuracy. This capability will benefit all users, whether they are navigating to their next assignment or coordinating the efforts of field personnel.

Enhanced Security Features

To safeguard valuable data and enable customers to comply with increasing data security regulations, the new Toughbooks are as secure as they are rugged. Both the CF-30 notebook and CF-19 convertible tablet are equipped with a cable lock slot, Trusted Platform Module (TPM v1.2) security chip, and feature optional fingerprint scanner. The CF-30 can also be configured with an optional SmartCard reader.

Superior Warranty, Support and Professional Services

Every Panasonic Toughbook is sold with a standard three-year limited warranty and access to 24/7/365 U.S.-based phone support for the entire life of the product. Panasonic boasts an average call center hold time of less than one minute. In addition, in the unlikely event of a hardware-related failure, Panasonic covers the cost of overnight shipping to and from its national service center. The average turnaround time for repairs is under two days. Panasonic also offers a full range of professional services to support enterprise customers before and after deployment.

Pricing and Availability

Both of the new “wireless ready” Toughbooks will be available in December 2006. The base model CF-30 will be available at an estimated street price of $4,699.00. The estimated street price for a base model Panasonic Toughbook CF-19 will be $4,199.00. These and other Toughbooks are available exclusively through authorized Panasonic Toughbook resellers nationwide. Please visit www.panasonic.com/toughbook for more information.

Features and Specifications

Panasonic Toughbook CF-30 Notebook Computer: Select Features and Specifications

• Intel® Core™ Duo Processor L2400 (2MB L2 cache), Processor speed 1.66GHz, 667MHz FSB
• 80GB or 60GB HDD, shock mounted and removable
• 512MB SDRAM (DDR2) standard, expandable to 4,096MB
• Multimedia Pocket will accept optional Combo or Multi Drive, or second battery
• Full Magnesium Alloy case with handle
• 13.3" 1024 x 768 (XGA) transmissive, daylight-readable TFT Active Matrix Color LCD with optional Touchscreen
• 1000 Nit (touchscreen models), 500 Nit LCD brightness (non-touchscreen models)
• Dimensions: 2.8”(H) x 11.9"(W) x 11.3"(D) (with handle)
• Weight: 8.2 lbs.
• Battery Life: 6 hours, depending on use conditions
• Intel® PRO/Wireless 3945ABG LAN Connection 802.11a/b/g, Bluetooth v2.0
• Optional integrated WWAN (EV-DO, HSDPA)
• Optional Integrated GPS receiver
• Security features include: Password Security: Supervisor, User, Hard-Disk Lock; Cable lock slot; Trusted Platform Module (TPM) v.1.2 security chip, optional finger print scanner, optional SmartCard reader
• Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional SP2
• 3-year limited warranty, parts & labor

Panasonic Toughbook CF-19 Convertible Tablet PC: Select Features and Specifications

• Intel® Core™ Duo Processor U2400 (2MB L2 cache), Processor speed 1.06GHz, 533MHz FSB
• 80GB HDD
• 512MB SDRAM standard, expandable to 4096MB
• Optional external USB Combo Drive
• Full Magnesium Alloy case with handle
• Touchscreen PC version: 10.4" 1024 x 768 (XGA) transmissive, daylight-readable TFT Active Matrix Color LCD
• Tablet PC version: 10.4" 1024 x 768 (XGA) transmissive, daylight-readable TFT Active Matrix Color LCD with Digitizer
• 550 Nit LCD brightness (470 Nit with touch screen) with new Low Reflection Screen Coating
• Dimensions: 1.9" (H) x 10.7" (W) x 8.5" (D)
• Weight: 5 lbs.
• Battery Life: 7 hours, depending on use conditions
• Intel® PRO/Wireless 3945ABG LAN Connection 802.11a/b/g, Bluetooth v2.0
• Optional integrated WWAN (EV-DO, HSDPA)
• Optional Integrated GPS receiver
• Security features include: 32-character Password Security: Supervisor, User; Cable lock slot; Trusted Platform Module (TPM) v.1.2 security chip, optional finger print scanner
• Touchscreen PC version: Genuine Windows: XP Professional SP2, Panasonic Handwriting, Software Keyboard, Display Rotation Tool
• Tablet PC version: Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005, Display Rotation Tool
• 3-year limited warranty, parts & labor (Source: Press Release)

Local coverage and a Vista TIP tip

In Vista there are new controls in the TIP (TIP = Tablet Input Panel) for getting webpages up. You now have a button for the "http://" and another button for "www.". If you set your local for NZ you also get ".co" and ".nz" buttons as well as the ".com" button, so to go to a webpage using the TIP you just hit the "http://" and the "www." buttons, write in the domain name and hit the appropriate TLD buttons and you are done. Simple and nice. (Source: GeekZone)
Posted Tuesday, October 17, 2006 by ChrisD
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Computing Students Go Wireless at Magee

Caption: Computing Science students Christoper Laughlin and Maria Anne McAleer with lecturer Jim Harkin

Computing students at the University’s Magee campus are going wireless this year with the introduction of state-of-the-art Tablet PCs.

Every first-year student in the School of Computing and Intelligent Systems’ single honours and major courses will receive a personal, wireless computer to help them through their studies. 

Over 100 students will benefit from the venture, which is part of the Wireless Campus initiative, a major Intelligent Systems Research Centre project, funded by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment under the EU Building Sustainable Prosperity programme.  (Source: University of Ulster)

Ambient Design Releases ArtRage2; New Version of Award-Winning Natural Painting Software

Ambient Design Ltd today announced the release of a new version of ArtRage, their award-winning natural painting software. ArtRage 2.2 is available for Windows XP/2K users, and a Universal Binary is available for Mac OSX users for both Intel and PowerPC. ArtRage 2.2 has been released in English, French, and German language versions.

ArtRage 2.2 adds significant new features which will appeal to high-end artists as well as hobbyist and inexperienced artists. Here are some of the most important changes:

• Mac OS X Universal Binary: ArtRage 2.2 OS X is now a Universal binary for PPC and Intel Macs. It will run on OS X version 10.3.9 or higher.
• Improved Memory Management: Memory use has been improved so that large documents with multiple layers use significantly less memory than in version 2.11.
• Photoshop Layer Blend Modes: ArtRage 2.2 supports all of the blend modes in Photoshop CS2. You can access these from the Layer Blending menu in the Layers Panel. Blend modes are imported and exported with PSD format documents.
• ArtRage Auto Updater: The ArtRage Auto Updater included in version 2.2 allows quick and easy updates when a new version is released.
• Oil Thinners: The Oil tool now allows you to thin your oils significantly. Everything over 50% thinners starts to make the paint transparent to allow painting of oil glazes or gels.
• Metallic Value Control: You can now adjust the level of metallic color applied to your paint to give partially reflective or pearlescent paints.
• Glitter improvements: Glitter has other shapes available for different texturing effects. Also glitter now chooses color from tracing images for each glitter particle individually so detailed textured paintings can rapidly be created.
• Reference Image Zoom: You can now zoom and pan the contents of reference images without changing the size of the reference pinned to the canvas to focus on detail on one particular are of the reference. With multiple reference images pinned to the canvas, you can mix detail with overviews.
• PTG File Thumbnails: Your painting files are now given thumbnails in your OS. On Windows, a Shell extension gives thumbnails of ArtRage paintings inside Windows Explorer when the view mode is ‘Thumbnails’. On MacOSX a custom icon displays the painting contents in the file browsers.
• Many other features, updates and bug-fixes!

A full list of all the updates and changes in ArtRage 2.2 is available on the ArtRage website: www.artrage.com/artrageupdate.html.

The update to ArtRage 2.2 Full is available as a free upgrade to users who have purchased ArtRage 2 Full version. Existing purchasers of ArtRage can download and install the ArtRage Auto-Updater. This will automatically download and apply changes to previous versions of ArtRage Full to bring it up to the ArtRage 2.2 Full product installation. ArtRage 2.2 is also available for purchase.  (Source: Press Release)

What’s a UMPC? Getting to Know the Personal Side of the Ultra Mobile Personal Computer

Overall, the UMPC shows a great deal of promise. I really like the device and could see using it regularly, particularly for meetings and other places where I would like to have a laptop but feel conspicuous when I pull one out.

But there are some hardware and software issues that need to be addressed. The battery life and price needs to change. I would pay around $500 for this device but not twice that.

The bottom line is that this is just version 1.0 of the UMPC. Remember back when the Palm first came out? That had only 2MB of memory and a black and white screen—and we're already a long way from that. Given time, the UMPC will achieve the goals it set itself at the UMPC web site: "Go Anywhere. Do Anything."  (Source: Matthew David., InformIT.com)

Tablet PCs promise to heighten CPS efficiency

“It doesn’t change the amount of time you spend (at a home visit), because most of that time is spent interviewing people,” Clements said. “What it does cut down on is the amount of time you spend in the office documenting.”

CPS has spent about $16 million for about 3,000 tablets statewide, spokeswoman Gonzales said. That covers a two-year lease for each machine and its accessories, wireless capabilities, training and warranty support. (Source: Cindy V. Culp, Waco Tribune-Herald)

OnTheRun with Tablet PCs Podcast #30

Listen here ( MP3, 18.6 MB, 54 minutes) or

Subscribe to the show with this link  (RSS)

Those OnTheRun Tablet guys are back with show #30 and if you are interested in Vista then you better pay attention.  Marc Orchant and James Kendrick catch up on where they have been since the last show and talk Tablets for almost an hour.  If you want to win a Motion LS800 then listen up and we'll tell you how.  We can't wait to see the next Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet PC and all the display options.  Which would JK choose- MultiTouch display or hi-res display?  Marc has been bopping around conferences all over the place and fills us in on how fruitful the Tablet PC spotting is going.  When Marc has some free time he's been using the New York TImes Reader on his Tablet PC, find out what he thinks about it.  James attended the Mobius event in Boston and guess how many Tablet PCs were in attendance?  Speaking of Mobius Matt Miller installs Vista on a MacBook Pro.  What do the Tablet guys think of Windows Vista RC2?  It might surprise you.  Kevin Tofel has Vista running on the Samsung Q1and loves it.  Check out Marc's Expert Zone Chat this week!  (Source: jk On The Run Blog)