News Week of April 15, 2007

EverNote 2.0 Released: Lets Users Search Inside Images For All Types of Text

Features New, Powerful Intelligent Search and Application Portability with EverNote Portable for Running on USB Drives

EverNote® Corporation today announced the immediate availability of Evernote® 2.0, EverNote Plus 2.0, and EverNote Portable 2.0, the newest versions of its award-winning note taking and information capturing software.

EverNote Plus now includes unique AIR-Search® (Advanced Image Recognition) technology, available to the public for the first time, which allows users to search within photos, scanned images and graphics in their EverNote collections for printed and handwritten text. With EverNote Portable, users who need the ability to run EverNote on any PC without installing the application can install EverNote on a USB Drive and enjoy the ultimate in application and data portability. The company is also releasing the public beta of EverNote Outlook Extension, an application that runs inside Windows Outlook and integrates content from EverNote with Outlook software.

EverNote software provides a single place for capturing, categorizing, and instantly locating all kinds of information, such as typed and handwritten notes, web clips, emails, phone messages, addresses, passwords, brainstorms, sketches, photos and documents, and accessing them across multiple platforms and devices. EverNote 2.0 allows users to share their notes via portable devices, email and instant messengers, capture and categorize notes with new universal clipping and linking features, as well as safely encrypt notes for public or private accessibility. Additionally, EverNote Plus 2.0 includes synchronization of notes via removable media.

With the addition of AIR-Search, EverNote now provides the most sophisticated, seamless search capabilities for helping people to capture and find the digital things that they want to remember most. With AIR-Search, EverNote users can add images containing all types of text to their EverNote database and conduct a keyword search inside the image for recognizable text within labels, diagrams, snapshots of magazine and newspaper articles, nametags, signs, handwritten notes, and more. For example, if a user takes a snapshot of a whiteboard brainstorming session and saves it to EverNote, the text will be searchable by keywords and automatically categorized by the EverNote software as a handwritten note.

"AIR-Search is the first technology of its kind on the market," said Stepan Pachikov, president and chief product architect of EverNote. "Now, anyone can simply capture an image with a camera phone and instantly search for text within the image. EverNote 2.0 is bringing an important part of our vision to marry image search with mobile devices and the Web to allow users to easily capture and memorize information in all of its formats, wherever it resides."

In addition to AIR-Search and application portability, other highlights of EverNote 2.0 include:

• New Universal Clipper: Available as an optional download, the Universal Clipper works in the background and adds to the EverNote tape's selected portion of contents of the currently active desktop program. It also allows selecting and adding to the EverNote tape a snapshot of a portion of the screen.
• Embedded To-Dos allow users to convert any note into a To-Do list on the fly.
• Note Flags and Flag Categories provide a convenient note selection and markup tool.
• New navigation functionality and shortcuts: Includes new Note List feature, enhanced scrolling, expanded auto categorization and new shortcuts to make EverNote even easier to use and navigate.
• Updated Intelligent Multiple Categories: Categories for automatic filtering can be assigned by simply dragging and dropping information contained in notes. Additionally, Category Locator simplifies organization of notes by multiple categories.

Availability

EverNote 2.0 can be downloaded for free at www.evernote.com. Advanced versions are available from the EverNote online store. EverNote Outlook Extension Beta is available for EverNote and EverNote Plus.   (Source: Press Release

Samsung Q1-SSD

To further compound the problems we saw a very low benchmark score, mainly due to poor multitasking. This isn’t of much surprise given the 900MHz Celeron M driving Windows XP, but we hoped the 1GB of RAM, would have helped a little more. In everyday use, we found the Q1-SSD snappy and responsive, but having many applications running did slow things down. Battery life was also a little disappointing, with only around 3hrs in light use. At least the plastic casing felt reliably rugged.

While direct comparisons with ultraportables may seem unfair, they’re inevitable in the case of the Q1-SSD because of the near-necessity of the portable keyboard in every situation. Sony has made the necessary inclusions to let you use the UX27 on its own, and so avoids the same treatment. Given that you can’t even complete basic tasks such as responding to an email on the Q1-SSD without the keyboard, most people will be much better off with an ultraportable. Take the Sony VAIO VGN-37GBP, which will cost more but gives you a neater travel package, has a longer battery life and is easier to use. It’s also faster and is roughly the same size and weight – a mobile computing bargain when compared to the Q1-SSD. We’re not holding our breath for it to arrive in Australia.  (Source: Clive Webster, PC Authority)
Posted Friday, April 20, 2007 by ChrisD
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Medion UMPC RIM 1000: a first look

A number of accessories will become available for the UMPC RIM 1000 in June, including a docking station, a leather carry case, a USB digital TV receiver and an external dual layer DVD rewriter.

Although Medion's Rick Munday described the UMPC RIM 1000 as 'affordable' at Thursday's launch in London, we suspect that its £799.99 (inc. VAT) price will have to come down significantly before it begins to sell in serious quantities. In fact, it may well take a third generation of the UMPC platform to get this class of mobile internet device fully off the ground.  (Source: Charles Mclellan ZDNet UK)

Gateway Convertible Notebook Puts a New Spin on Classroom Studies, Office Productivity

Thin-and-Light Notebook With Tablet Capabilities Boasts 12-inch Widescreen Display, Touch Screen, Digital Pen; Ideal for Growing Tablet Demand in Education Segment

IRVINE, Calif., April 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Gateway today unveiled the new Gateway® E-155C Thin & Light Convertible notebook, which gives customers the benefits of Tablet computing with digital pen and touch screen capabilities in a sleek, thin-and-light form factor.

The Gateway E-155C infuses keyboard, digital pen, and touch-screen input capabilities into a single mobile device optimized for Microsoft Windows Vista. Customers can use the Gateway E-155C to access information, applications and multimedia content as well as take handwritten notes, draw diagrams, edit documents and enjoy full PC functionality, making it the ultimate productivity tool for education and business environments.

One of the thinnest and lightest convertible notebooks on the market with an integrated optical drive, the Gateway Convertible Notebook will impress customers with its features optimized for mobile computing, such as a 12-inch widescreen display, an Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processor and a biometric fingerprint reader. Plus, the Gateway E-155C has a new industrial design that starts at only 4.5 pounds.(1)

"Gateway has been leading the Tablet market with innovative products since 2002, and this product rounds out our portfolio, giving customers a family of Convertible Notebooks from a single provider," said Ray Sawall, Gateway's senior manager of mobile computing. "The Gateway E-155C's touch-screen and digital pen capabilities powered by leading-edge hardware and Microsoft Windows Vista add the flexibility that makes Tablet computing so effective in non-traditional environments, such as learning labs, meetings, the sales field, and anywhere customers learn, work and live."

Gateway is introducing the new E-155C at an ideal time. The America's Digital Schools 2006 report, conducted by The Greaves Group and The Hayes Connection, forecasted that Tablet PCs are one of the fastest growing product segments for students over the next five years. An overview of the report findings is available at: http://www.ads2006.org/main/pdf/ADS2006KF.pdf

Tom Greaves of The Greaves Group stated, "While we see substantial growth in both the mobile PC and Tablet PC spaces in this year's educational spending mix, the expected sales growth of Tablet PCs is approximately three times higher than the sales growth of traditional notebook PCs. We anticipate that as more user-friendly, performance oriented models like the Gateway E-155C come to market, a growing number of educational institutions will consider them for their students, faculty and staff."

Several education customers have used previous generation convertible notebooks and are now considering the Gateway E-155C for their faculty, staff and student populations.

Dr. B. Keith Rowland, Radford City Schools' director of elementary education and instructional technology, stated, "Our teachers are very impressed with the flexibility that the Gateway convertible notebook affords them. It lets our educators be more creative in developing interactive lesson plans, which improves student engagement. We look forward to taking our Tablet PC program a step further by rolling out these notebooks to our students in the future."

The system's vibrant 12-inch WXGA widescreen TFT Active Matrix Display is the perfect palette for accessing applications by digital pen or touch screen. When used with Microsoft Windows Vista, customers will experience improved writing recognition, greater pen accuracy, improved hardware button support and more flexibility in user-configurable commands. The new touch-screen capabilities mean customers can access information by touching the screen with a fingertip or other pointing device. Also, the widescreen format gives customers ample room for viewing new features in Microsoft Windows Vista such as Sidebar mini-applications as well as multiple applications or documents at once. In addition, the display's anti-reflection polarizer improves viewing in sunlight and bright conditions, extending the unit's usability outdoors and making it ideal for students and organizations with field personnel.

A pioneer in the Convertible Notebook market, Gateway understands the unique requirements for the segment and has developed the Gateway E-155C with an all new industrial design that is easy-to-use. Measuring 1.17-inches thin, the new Thin & Light Convertible has room for an integrated optical drive, so an external model isn't required to read DVD and CD applications. Plus, the lightweight Gateway E-155C provides several battery options so the PC can be optimized for mobility or long battery life. A number of design features let customers make the most of battery life, including a dedicated wireless on/off switch and an ambient light sensor that detects the light atmosphere and adjusts the display brightness.

The notebook also features an integrated UPEK fingerprint reader that can be used for user authentication and data protection as well as for mouse-like cursor movement and scrolling in Tablet mode. Making navigation even easier, the new Gateway E-155C features dedicated "enter" and "back" buttons to the right of the finger print reader.

Additional design enhancements include the unique double swivel hinge, which lets the display swivel 180 degrees in either direction. The notebook even provides a "reminder" to store the digital pen; if the system is turned off without the digital pen in the garage, the user is alerted with an audio alarm and flashing LED. The notebook was also designed with a high-impact magnesium casework, which improves durability and strength, while minimizing the notebook's size and weight.

Pricing and Availability

The Gateway E-155C is available for order now at prices starting at $1,849.99. For configuration details, go to http://www.gateway.com/lightconvertible. In early May, Gateway will offer a version of the product for home and home office customers, the Gateway C-120X, which will be priced starting at $1,499.99.

  Additional Key Features
  * Intel PRO/wireless 3945 802.11a/b/g
  * Wacom digital pen with digital eraser
  * Support for Intel® Core™ 2 Duo U7500 Ultra Low Voltage Processor
  * Mobility center button gives customers one-touch access to mobility
    settings when used with Vista
  * SATA 5400RPM hard drive in 60GB, 80GB or 120GB capacities(2)
  * Advanced security with optional Computrace Complete tracking software
  * Fixed CD-RW/DVD, DVD Burner and Weightsaver options  Warranty, Service and Support

The new Gateway E-155C is supported by the company's standard limited warranty options(3). Additional service and support options are also available.(4) Gateway's commitment to quality and reliability is evident in its award-winning line of PCs as well as in its exceptional service and support programs. The company's extensive online support center helps customers maximize their PC investment; it gives them easy access to customer support representatives and information on important issues such as warranties, technical issues and upgrading.  (Source: Press Release)

Is the pen still mighty in the computer age?

Your grandchildren may use a stylus on a tablet PC instead of a Bic on tablet paper, but they will continue to write.

That's because even in an era when elementary school students are adept at mousing and teenagers are fiends at text-messaging, some experts say that writing with a pen is still the backbone for teaching people how to read and learn facts.

The difference will be in how the characters are made.

Cursive writing is introduced as part of the English language arts curriculum at the second or third grade level in most states, according to James Miles, senior associate at the International Center for Leadership and Education (Source: Candace Lombardi, CNET News.com)

Intel shows off Classmate PC at IDF

It’s powered by an Intel ULV 900MHz, single core mobile processor that doesn’t include L2 cache. It also has an Intel 915GMS and ICH6-M chipset, a 256MB DDR2 SO-DIMM, 7” 800x600 LED backlit display and either 1GB (with Linux) or 2GB (with Windows XP) flash on board. You also get stereo audio with microphone input, Fast Ethernet (100Mbit/sec) and 802.11b/g WiFi. The battery is six-cell and allows for around four hours of use.

It even includes a customised note taker with wireless pen and IR receiver module that works exceptionally well. While hand writing recognition on a tablet is always kind of funky in a more fully integrated and gadgetry sense, you do have to write in an unusual way or speed to get it to pick up on some devises.

At least this way you get exactly what you’ve put down (great for scientists and mathematicians when the software can’t recognise formulae) rather than try and get an expensive gadget to work at the cost of saving a few pages of paper.  (Source: Rich Swinburne, Bit-Tech.com)
Posted Wednesday, April 18, 2007 by ChrisD
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Tablets efficient for those on the go

With a UMPC, you can do anything you can on a regular computer, but you hold the computer like you would a pad of paper. Select items on the screen either with the included stylus or with buttons to the left and right of the screen that mimic the actions of a mouse. Some UMPCs slide up to reveal keypads, but this one doesn't; to type, you either write on the screen or tap on a virtual keyboard.

If you're looking for a computer that can travel anywhere, consider a tablet. They're great ways to stay connected wherever you go. (Source: Troy Drier, The Jersey Journal)

Intel launches 'Centrino Jnr' for UMPCs

The platform encompasses both the existing Windows-based Ultra Mobile PC (UMPC) category with screens sizes of 5 to 7 inches, and smaller mobile Internet devices with screens from 4 to 6 inches. ZDNet Australia revealed earlier this week the smaller units will be aimed at consumers and run Linux.

Products in both segments will use the new 'Stealey' CPUs, which are ultra-low voltage tweaks of the 90nm Pentium M processor with a 512Kb Level 2 cache.

The first crop of UM2007 systems are due in the middle of this year and will be UMPC-class devices running Windows Vista and Microsoft’s Origami, such as updates of Samsung's MPQ1 and HTC's Shift, which was launched today at Intel's Developer Forum in Beijing by HTC president and CEO Peter Chow.  (Source: David Flynn, ZDNet Australia)

Samsung Q1b UMPC/Tablet PC Hands-On Review

In a world that has spawned mobile computing there are laptops at the top of the food chain and PDAs/organizers at the bottom. In the middle you find some of the more innovative and sometimes more complex mobile devices such as smartphones and Tablet PCs. While both are more advanced with each coming year of technology, there is something to be said about the usability of these technologies as they relate to what it is we want to get done. Namely, where do these devices fit in, and are they really at a point where they can solve a problem.

Front view of the Samsung Q1b UMPC.   (Source: AWright, TabletPCReview.com)

WEB EXCLUSIVE Your New Home Office: Budget or Blowout

Computer

High: The Toshiba Portégé R400-S4931 ($3,500) is the first laptop to use Ultra-wide band––low-powered radio signals––to connect wirelessly to peripherals as far as 30 feet away. Its monitor swings around, transforming it into a tablet PC, a biometric fingerprint reader comes standard, and two banks of superbright battery-saving LEDs light the notebook's 12.1-inch widescreen. With an 80GB hard  (Source: Abby Seiff, PopSci.com)

Palm May Introduce Ultra-Mobile PC

Vivek Arya, Merrill Lynch: Palm could launch new products in late May, but we do not believe the products will be revolutionary enough to impact estimates. Palm founder Jeff Hawkins is scheduled to deliver a speech at [the] “D: All Things Digital” conference hosted by the Wall Street Journal [which of course is owned by Dow Jones, which also publishes this blog] from May 29-31, 2007. While details of Jeff’s speech are unknown, we believe he could announce a new Palm product. Given Palm’s traditional expertise in mobile computing, we believe the new product could be an Ultra Mobile PC - essentially a small ultra-portable laptop with wireless capability. While new products create excitement, we are skeptical they will impact any estimates given the niche UMPC market, and Palm’s scale disadvantages compared to existing UMPC vendors like Sony (SNE), Samsung, HTC and others.  (Source: Eric Savitz , Seeking Alpha)
Posted Tuesday, April 17, 2007 by ChrisD
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Intervolve Teams with Top PC Maker to Bring Tablet PC Solutions to the Consumer Packaged Goods and Distribution Markets

Intervolve, Inc., the pioneer in providing on demand supply chain software using Web and mobile technologies, today announced a new business relationship with Lenovo to deliver tablet PC sales and distribution solutions for consumer packaged goods distributors.  Intervolve and Lenovo will jointly sell Intervolve solutions and Intervolve will resell ThinkPad X60 Tablet PCs.  The go-to-market alliance includes Intervolve as one of several strategic Lenovo Independent Software Vendors (ISV’s) that provide solutions for ThinkPad X60 Tablets with Microsoft Windows Vista, and the only ISV currently providing solutions for the Consumer Packaged Goods and Distribution markets.  

As part of the agreement, Intervolve and Lenovo will jointly sell the combined hardware, software, and services solutions to beverage and consumer packaged goods distributors. By offering customers an end-to-end solution designed by technology leaders in their respective industries, distributors will have innovative business productivity and market intelligence solutions at their fingertips.

Chris Newton, Intervolve Chairman and EVP, said, “The synergy between Lenovo and Intervolve supports new opportunities to design innovative mobile products to help our customers be more productive and efficient.  The combined solution has been well received within our market.

Intervolve provides DistributionSuite and Route Accounting System (RAS) on Tablet PC, Pocket PC, and PalmOS devices and as web applications to enable distributors to access critical information for a new level of visibility, speed, and accountability.  Intervolve solutions expand beyond traditional route accounting and sales order entry to include market intelligence.  The broad set of DistributionSuite applications provides real-time market data to help companies plan, execute, measure, and adjust to dynamic market conditions and gain competitive advantage.  Route Accounting System integrates sales order management, inventory management, financial accounting, reconciliations, and route maintenance into a single-real-time, enterprise-wide mobile computing application to reduce operating costs.  By collecting, analyzing, and applying both transactional and non-transactional information on mobile and web devices such as the ThinkPad X60 Tablet PCs, companies using Intervolve solutions can manage and sell more effectively and influence their markets.

The rock-solid design of Lenovo’s ThinkPad X60 Tablet PC includes a shock-mounted hard-drive and roll-cage making it a reliable and durable tool for on-the-go computing.  It is a thin and light 12-inch tablet that also offers layered security tools including an encrypted hard drive and integrated fingerprint reader to prevent unauthorized access to information.  The ThinkPad X60 Tablet also come equipped with ThinkVantage Technologies, a suite of self-help tools helping to manage profiles for Internet connections and easy recovery of lost or corrupted files,  among other features.   (Source: Press Release)

First Look: FlipStart E-1001S and OQO Model 2

Two new ultramobile devices test the limits of the category,offering very different takes on what it means to be a go-anywhere, do-anything PC

Despite the many options the OQO Model 2 and the FlipStart E-1001S pack into their tight spaces, I missed a couple of features they omit: a touch screen, to make navigating the small screens easier, and Windows XP Tablet PC extensions for stylus-based cursor control and handwriting recognition. (The Vista versions of both machines should have the pen and tablet extensions built in.) In view of their cramped keyboards--especially the OQO's three-row keyboard configuration--the pen extensions would be a natural fit.

In the end, neither of these units is about performance. Their story lies in their small size, relative convenience, and capabilities aimed at mobile professionals. Here, the bigger FlipStart outfeatures the smaller, less expensive OQO.   (Source: Dennis O'Reilly, PC World, WashingtonPost.com)

The xTablet T8600 Is Rugged Enough For Any Situation

For the consumer who likes to carry a UMPC on a treasure-hunting romp through the Amazon there isn’t a lot of choice out there. Being a PC in portable form, these devices aren’t necessarily made for such a rough ride. Enter the xTablet T8600 Rugged Tablet PC to save the day. With such a rugged piece of equipment you’ll always be able to check your email and ensure your Netflix queue is up to date. Not to mention a few other features the on-the-go adventurer requires.   (Source: CB Tech)
Posted Monday, April 16, 2007 by ChrisD
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General Dynamics and Telos Enter Agreement to Provide Mobile Rugged Computing Equipment for Army Program

General Dynamics Itronix(R) today announced a reseller agreement with Ashburn, Va.-based Telos Corporation for provision of rugged computing equipment for Army customers in office environments. The agreement includes rugged handhelds and laptops, including the Duo-Touch(TM) Rugged Tablet PC, GoBook(R) VR-1 semi-rugged notebook and the award-winning GoBook XR-1 fully rugged notebook.

Telos is a prime contractor under the Army Desktop and Mobile Computing-2 (ADMC-2) program. As part of the Army's Small Computer Program, ADMC-2 focuses on leases and purchases of personal computers, notebooks, ruggedized notebooks,  tablets and personal digital assistants as well as printers, digital cameras, video teleconferencing equipment, projectors, displays and high-definition television units. All military services and the Department of Defense agencies may also use the contract, if desired.

Vendors have a 10-year period of performance -- a three-year base period, three two-year options and a one-year option -- with a maximum ceiling of $5 billion under the ADMC-2 contract which is managed by the Program Executive Office-Enterprise Information Systems' (PEO-EIS) of the Army Small Computer Program.

"Our business partner agreement with Telos is a great development for Army customers as it provides them with the best choice in rugged mobile computing, featuring enhanced processing performance and advanced capabilities in wireless and security in all our products," said Vince Menzione, vice president of defense markets for General Dynamics Itronix. "The Army is leveraging their buying power for the best prices from hardware vendors, and we look forward to serving those customers during procurement through Telos and beyond."

"We're proud to offer the General Dynamics family of rugged laptops and handhelds as part of the ADMC-2 procurement contract," said Warren Jones, vice president of Marketing at Telos. "This is an important addition to our product offerings and we look forward to working with Itronix."  (Source: Press Release)

GottaBeMobile Hardware InkShow: The Nokia N800 Internet Tablet

Nokia is well regarded for their design prowess and this device will certainly add to that reputation. (Although I do have one big quibble that you’ll discover in the InkShow.) In this quick peak InkShow, I take a quick tour of the N800 and show off some of its features and some of the included software. There’s plenty more Open Source software to be had if you want to load up your device and quite an active community exploring it on maemo.org. There’s also a good deal of configurability for how you may want to set up the device. I kept things pretty much as they came out of the box, but you can move, add, or edit modules to your heart’s content and design the screen the way you want it to be. Also, (and I thought I had filmed an example of this but in final review it must be on the digital editing room floor somewhere) there is a nice touchscreen feature. Depending on what application you are using the screen can sense if you are using your finger or the stylus and adjusts the target area accordingly. Nice touch.

Is it the device for me? I don’t think so. I need a little more horsepower and better inking ability. Is it for you? You’ll have to make that decision. Watch the InkShow to get a flavor of what the N800 has to offer and check out the links below for more information.  (Source: Warner Crocker, GottaBeMobile.com)

Orb MyCasting Service Now Available for Nokia N800 Internet Tablet

Nokia and Orb Networks today announced Orb MyCasting is available for use on the Nokia N800 Internet Tablet. Orb MyCasting allows consumers to access digital media stored on their home computer directly from their mobile multimedia computer.

Orb's intuitive solution simply streams a person's own content from their home PC using the Web browser and media player of the Nokia N800 Internet Tablet thus creating a "personal media portal" from which users instantly access and enjoy home photos, videos, music, and even TV, from anywhere, anytime. With MyCasting, consumers can also remotely record TV programs using Orb's Digital Video Recorder (DVR) function and then play back those recorded programs on the Nokia N800.

"The Nokia N800 Internet Tablet was developed to make it easy for people to access their favorite internet sites, content, and entertainment from the couch, airport or coffee shop- anywhere there is WiFi. Orb's MyCasting is an excellent use of the device making it a jukebox of personal media," said Ari Virtanen, vice president, Convergence Products, Multimedia, Nokia.

"Nokia offers a quality mobile web experience for users with the rich functionality being introduced in the N800 Internet Tablet,' said Joe Costello, Chairman and CEO of Orb Networks. "When Orb unlocks that personal digital content on the home PC, the N800 becomes the one connected device to enjoy it all whenever and wherever you want.The combination offers a new level of media freedom and control for the customer."

The MyCasting service which will be demoed on the Nokia N800 at Nokia's booth (# 402) at Web 2.0 Expo this week is free of charge and is immediately available for download from www.orb.com/n800 as well as from the Tableteer site, which can be accessed via the Nokia N800. There's no need to download additional software for the N800. Using the built in media player and browser, Orb works instantly.

The Nokia N800 Internet Tablet, based on Nokia's desktop Linux based Operating System, is a next generation widescreen Nokia Nseries multimedia computer. The sleek Nokia N800 combines a truly personal Internet experience with easy wireless connections, high resolution display and support for a wide variety of Internet applications. N800 Internet Tablet is a portable internet entertainment device optimized for enjoying the familiar Web experience anytime, anywhere.  (Source: Press Release)